Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/630222
two items is the big variable, and the best gap of all is no gap at all," he says. "Add-on aerodynamic fairings and side extenders can help reduce the gap, but it still exists and will remain a significant source of drag until a practical way to eliminate it is invented." Aeroserve offers vortex generators that attach to strategic points on a tractor to help direct airflow around the gap and de- crease unwanted wraparound turbulence and crosswinds. "Vortex generators offer fleets the option of setting their kingpins for optimum axle loading for their loads without any loss of fuel economy," Smer- don says. Vortex generators are designed for easy installation and to deliver a cost-effective benefit by fitting only the tractors, and the results sound impressive. Smerdon says the current best-selling vortex generator claims a 2- to 3-percent fuel savings on a fully faired tractor-only installation for a typical dry van gap. Turning to the trailer's rear, Grossmann believes trailer skirts and boat tails work- ing in conjunction with one another rep- resent the largest fuel-saving opportunity available to fleets today. Stemco manufac- tures TrailerTail boat-tail aerodynamic de- vices. "Our TrailerTail aerodynamic device smooths airflow past this large low- pressure area and can give fleets up to 9 percent fuel economy boosts at highway speeds," he says. "The key is to work close- ly with both your OEM as well as an aero- dynamic provider to ensure that you're running the most aerodynamically clean vehicle possible. Any aerodynamic gain achieved anywhere on a tractor-trailer, no matter how small, is always beneficial." The gap battle continues Another aerodynamic efficiency- solution company that isn't shying away from the challenges posed by the gap is SmartTruck, which last month introduced its LeadEdge Top Fairing, a new aerodynamic trailer fairing designed to manipulate and manage the disruptive airflow created in the gap between either the cab and trailer or between two tandem trailers. "This new patent-pending product ad- dresses this problem area of the trailer in a completely new and different way," says Stephen Ingham Jr., SmartTruck chief ex- ecutive officer. "LeadEdge creates lift to reduce drag." Like other components in Smart Truck's product portfolio, the LeadEdge is de- signed to increase long-haul truck fuel efficiency: a 2 percent improvement as a standalone and an incremental improve- ment in fuel economy when combined with other aerodynamic systems address- ing drag in other parts of the trailer. For tandem operators in particular, the LeadEdge Top Fairing can pay for itself quickly in fuel savings, Ingham says. "Tandem trailers face a unique aerody- namic challenge," he says. "They need to ensure than any efficiency components added to trailers do not obstruct or inter- fere with pup operations. Our LeadEdge was created with that in mind." The LeadEdge Fairing was designed and optimized using sophisticated compu- tational fluid dynamics, and SmartTruck says predicted performance metrics were validated subsequently through rigorous coast-down testing. Live tandem fleet test- ing is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2015.> www.jobsfor teams.com JOBS for TEAMS | 30 Team Feature Continued Aeroserve's Airtab vortex generators attach on a tractor to help direct airflow around the tractor-trailer gap.