For an ordinary long-distance heavy-duty truck, 10% of the fuel is used to fight air resistance during driving? Yes, according to a foreign study, when the vehicle speed is below 60km/h, its impact is negligible, but when the vehicle speed exceeds 60km/h or even faster, it becomes crucial.
As we all know, wind resistance and turbulence will have a great impact on the fuel economy of the entire vehicle. For this reason, many trucks with strange shapes and various kits for optimizing trailer wind resistance have been born around the world. In a conventional tractor combination, there are three areas of the trailer that will produce strong air resistance, namely the gap between the front of the vehicle and the trailer, the rear of the trailer and the bottom of the trailer.
In fact, the single most tested, scientifically verifiable, and most popular industry solution is to install trailer side skirts (also known as wind deflectors), which effectively prevent air from being sucked into the bottom of the trailer when the vehicle is running at high speeds. Creating turbulence, they move air more efficiently along the sides of the trailer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, trailer bottom extensions can save 1% to 4% in fuel consumption.
In the more than 20 years of development of trailer side skirts, improvements have been made in terms of weight, cost and damage resistance. These improvements have made side skirts very popular in Europe and the United States. It is estimated that more than 50% of new 53-foot trucks in North America are now equipped with side skirts. The reason for their popularity is simple. The investment cost of side skirts is low and the payback period is fast. While side skirts have proven to be effective at any speed, their effectiveness is even more pronounced at higher, faster and more sustained speeds, as air resistance increases at higher speeds.
After hundreds of rigorous experiments and tests, EkoStinger launched a new generation of NextGen Stinger product series for semi-trailers in March 2022: NextGen Fixed Stinger (fixed), NextGen Sliding Stinger (sliding) and the new NextGen Pup Stinger (special version for short-axle trailers).
More stable in cross winds: Through third-party testing, this shape design has been proven to play a safer supporting role in dangerous natural conditions (cross winds). At the same time, coupled with skilled driving skills, the NextGen Stinger’s advanced design will reduce the risk of accidents caused by wind-induced cargo loss, truck rollover, and trailer instability. Relatively speaking, such a design can make the trailer easier to maneuver. Keep driving in a straight line.
Lightweight design: Compared with the first-generation products, the newly launched NextGen Stinger product series has undergone many optimizations based on the changing needs of market technology. Its NextGen Stinger product adopts an advanced streamlined design, consisting of a high-density polyethylene molded unit + a redesigned frame. The overall weight is lighter and will not bring too much weight burden to the trailer.
Less wind resistance: Unlike ordinary side skirts, its unique shape design can make the wind resistance at the bottom of the trailer smaller. In addition to providing better aerodynamics, the Stinger’s unique shape design can better protect the trailer axle and suspension. rack system and gas lines and other components. In addition, the NextGen Stinger product has a ground clearance of up to 16 inches (about 40 centimeters), which can better adapt to complex road conditions and reduce the risk of damage.
Experiments show that the NextGen Stinger saves 5.72 gallons of fuel per 1,000 miles driven, which is equivalent to a 5.30% reduction in fuel consumption on a 53-foot trailer weighing 45,000 pounds (20.4 tons, 16.15 meters trailer). If it is a 48-foot trailer with a shorter wheelbase (14.63-meter trailer), more fuel economy will be improved.
Post time: Dec-05-2023