fraoch
Stuart FL
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Anyone install these on their tow vehicle with any improved gas mileage success? Just curious...
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Joy
Henderson KY 42420
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Long story short: Traveling together on 2 week trip: 2 identical 2000 Ford F350 duallies, long beds, each pulling a 5ver - one 5ver 28' about 10K lbs and has deflector, one 5ver 32' about 14K lbs has no deflector - same fuel stops, virtually no difference in mileage. Our experience - we had the heavier 5ver.
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five'er
Canada
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^^Who was in front?
I think it would depend on the frontal area and design of the Fifth wheel. Full profile vs not, aerodynamic front end vs old boxy type and then you would have enviromental factors.. Is there a tail wind or a head wind? All these things will alter the numbers and results. I can say that based on experience pulling large trailers that the shape of the TV and/or the frontal area of the trailer/fifth wheel can make a noticable difference. My opionion is based on driving commercial trucks and pulling various trailers with the same head unit. Again, enviromental factors can play a big part especially a strong headwind.
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Joy
Henderson KY 42420
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Funny!!! We were in front (higher profile,heavier unit,more rounded front) but they didn't follow closly enough to be effected by our wind.
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fraoch
Stuart FL
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We have a Buick Enclave pulling a boxy hybrid 17ft...
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Jim-Linda
Livingston, TX
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FWIW, the cost of the deflector will not be covered by the very small increase (if any) in mpg for many thousands of miles. Save your money!
jim
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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I've had SOME success with a "wind deflector" of sorts but don't think those bolt on little scoops will do any good because they're just WAY too small to have any significant influence. I had an 8 foot bed with a full fiberglass tonneau cover which, when raised and blocked in the proper position makes a very LARGE deflector. Using this I was able to get about 1 MPG more on a consistent basis. If you paid over a thousand bucks "just" for a wind deflector it would have a VERY long ROI but this one was NOT purchased for the purpose.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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Airstreamer67
Pineville, LA USA
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I put a detachable and adjustable wing on the back of my pickup's topper. It has improved my fuel efficiency by about a mpg.
This adds up over the years, and more so as we get to $4 per gallon and above.
Plus, it keeps the front of the trailer cleaner relative to the dead-bug count, and helps the handling in certain wind conditions.
For me, it's worth the less-than-300 dollars I have invested, and the wing will last as long as I do.
As seen in the discussion above, some have reported no improvement in mileage. It apparently is a case-by-case situation which depends on the several variables involved for each rig setup.
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blackf3504dr
Leesburg , FL. .Lake
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Try to keep the deflector within three feet of the front of the trailer. To much space allows the air to get behind the deflector.
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Supreme Oppressor
Grande Prairie, Alberta
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The deflectors on the "big" trucks are as tall and wide as the trailer, and fairly close to it. Pick-up models are a novelty at best. The best fuel saving device is to slow down.
2006 F350 6.0 diesel cc lb srw
2004 Jayco Jayflight 30.5BHS
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