Stemco says its new TrailerTail Covered rear trailer fairing will be deployed more than current designs simply because drivers must open the panels to get at doors’ locking handles to close trailer doors. When used more often, the device will increase fuel efficiency and return on investment for fleets.

TrailerTail Covered’s side panels are slightly wider so they obstruct access to handles and locking rods, the company explained. With current designs, drivers can forget to deploy TrailerTail panels, but now they can’t.  

“We’ve seen tremendous improvements over the past two years in the number of TrailerTail fairings open while on the road, saving fleets an additional 5% percent or more on their fuel bill, but we continue to develop solutions to increase the odds drivers will open their TrailerTail before driving,” said Bob Montgomery, vice president of Stemco Innovative Tire and Mileage Solutions.

“TrailerTail Covered makes opening and closing the TrailerTail an integral part of a driver’s process by linking it to operating the trailer doors.”

Panels must be away from the doors to access handles for both opening and closing. So panels are deployed as a driver departs from a pickup or delivery. Drivers would have to intentionally push the panels back against the doors for them to be undeployed.

By streamlining airflow at the back of the trailer, TrailerTail fairings not only reduce fuel consumption but also improve safety, reduce driver fatigue and lessen equipment wear and tear by increasing vehicle stability, Montgomery said. To date, over 50,000 TrailerTail units have been sold in North America, saving companies over $150 million and reducing their carbon footprint.

The Covered option is available for no additional charge for Trident and 4x4 manual deployment systems. Customers may also choose AutoDeploy, which features a built-in speed sensor that automatically unfolds TrailerTail panels when the vehicle reaches 35 mph.