Aerofficient "Slider" Fairing Closes Gap Left by Sliding Trailer Tandems
Aerofficient's new Slider side fairing for on-highway trailers automatically expands or contracts when the trailer's axles are moved, filling the gap between the trailing edge of a standard "fixed" trailer side fairing and the trailer's tires for significantly better fuel efficiency
Aerofficient's new Slider side fairing for on-highway trailers automatically expands or contracts when the trailer's axles are moved, filling the gap between the trailing edge of a standard "fixed" trailer side fairing and the trailer's tires for significantly better fuel efficiency.
In TMC Type IV testing by a prominent fleet using an independent fuel economy testing expert, the new fairing boosted fuel savings by 80% over trailers using standard fixed fairings in a zero wind condition when the trailer's tandems were set at the 41-foot setting, according to Jim Reiman, CEO of Aerofficient. "Assuming 60,000 miles of highway driving and $4 per gallon fuel cost, the Aerofficient "Slider" will save $1,235 more than a standard side fairing."
"The trailer's tandems are often set rearward from their maximum forward position," explained Marty Fletcher, Aerofficient's executive director of product development. "Since a standard side fairing cannot extend rearward of the trailer's front tire when the trailer's axles are at their most forward setting, a gap is created between the trailing edge of the fairing and the front tire. The greater the gap between the trailing edge of the fairing and the trailer's front tire, the less efficient the side fairing becomes."
At a typical 41-foot axle setting, a gap of 30 to 40 inches exists between the fixed fairing's trailing edge and the trailer's front tire. Testing with a 35-inch gap against multiple competitors' standard fixed fairings in highway SAE Type IV tests, Fletcher says, the Aerofficient Slider generated 7.2% savings, compared to 3.8% to 4.2% for competitors' standard fixed fairings.
The Slider is affixed to the trailer's sliding axles, and automatically moves forward/rearward with the axles:
No driver involvement is required. If maintenance is required beneath the trailer, the Slider is easily detached from the axles and slid forward for quick and easy under-trailer access:
All Aerofficient trailer fairings are made with an engineered, automotive grade injection molded plastic panel material designed to be extremely durable. The company's patent-pending hinged technology permits the fairings to bend in or out 90 degrees to pass over obstructions without being damaged. The fairings are also designed to hold their shape in extreme temperatures and to resist ice and snow packing.
All Aerofficient side-fairing products use a patent-pending clamp system for fast installation without the need to drill holes in the trailer. The new Slider fairings can be installed with the company's fixed fairings on new trailers, or added to units with existing Aerofficient fixed side fairings.
Aerofficient "Slider" fairings will be manufactured in Livonia, Michigan and will be available from the manufacturer and through trailer dealers nationwide.
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