PepsiCo will update 1,600 trailers with Stemco TrailerTail and EcoSkirt aerodynamic devices to improve the fuel economy of the company-owned fleet.
Falling acquisition prices, proven performance and fast ROI times on aerodynamic add-ons can translate into fast fuel savings for even cash-strapped fleets. Learn more in this feature from June's special fuel issue.
Everyone knows reducing aerodynamic drag saves fuel, but figuring out which aero devices make sense is a challenge. A multi-year Canadian study offers insight into which types of devices and combinations provide the greatest benefits.
“All you have to do is ride a motorcycle behind the trailers to notice the difference” between aero and bare trailers, says John Drake, a Harley-Davidson enthusiast. Learn more in the Trailer Talk blog.
Skirts have become common on van and refrigerated trailers, with more than half of all such trailers leaving factories with skirts installed. But how durable are they? Testing and experience show that material flexibility is a requirement for resisting damage.
ATDynamics, now part of Stemco, says 75% of wind drag at highway speeds comes from the trailer.
Nussbaum is streamlining its trailers looking to save money on fuel. Skirts, TrailerTails and a few other modifications together save close to 1 mpg.
Con-way Freight, a less-than-truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc., announced it is outfitting its line haul trailer fleet with DuraPlate AeroSkirts to increase overall fleet fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Here’s a novel approach to making trailer skirts: Use reclaimed materials, consult with a veteran fleet executive to be sure you get the design right, and employ U.S. military veterans to assemble them while they attend school.
Is your insurance company out to save you money? It is if it’s Progressive Commercial Auto Insurance, which has a special offer on trailer skirts.