Wind deflectors

[krsmitty]

Anyone here use one? Help any with towing/mpg? With the price of diesel...1 or 2 mpg increase would be nice.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...eflector/34579

[drfife]

I tried one for a year.

I keep detailed fuel economy records. The increase was slight but statistically insignificant with the wind deflector.

Save your money.

[Cruzinfools]

x2 They don't work very well!

[Jagiven]

I cannot tell you how well they do or do not work, as I have not used one. However, I never see them installed as I would say “correctly”. I always see them installed with the angle way to steep. If you install one, set the angle like you are going to jump a motorcycle onto the roof of your TT. By that I mean if you set the angle to step (greater than 45 deg) the wind will hit the deflector like it is a wall (air brake). If the angle is to low, the wind will hit the front of the edge of the TT. Just remember the air will move in a parabolic shape, just like a motorcycle coming off a jump.

[Seann45]

Do the math.. at 2 mpg savings how long would it take you to pay for the deflector? also will you "religiously" take it off when not towing? if not it will cost you mpg... a guy here in SoCal has a huge one on his truck roof but it is so hard to take off that he leaves it on all winter... and costs him more than he saves...

[Diesel Donnie]

Had a deflecter on a previous vehicle for several years while fulltiming in our fiver- I saw no increase in fuel economy but the deflecter kept the bugs off the front of the fiver- Our deflecter was permanently mounted and was fully adjustable- I lowered the deflecter while not towing and raised it while towing- Towed 2 different fivers with the deflecter- It was nice to have the front of the fiver relatively free of bugs but only worth the money because I bought it used for $20.00- That's my story and I'm sticking to it- JMHO- DD

[greenenvy1]

I see hundreds of RV haulers now as that is what I am doing and I have seen 2 maybe three of them with wind deflectors. Not saying whether or not there is an advantage to one but from my experience I'm always looking to save a few mpgs and driving slower is by far the best method to increase mpgs.

[tinlizzie23]

A wind deflector panel came on the used rollback flat bed truck I bought for my business 20 years ago. Didn't think much either way until I removed it to repaint the truck. Didn't get around to reinstalling it until about 6 months later, and found it cost about 4 mpg. Removed it and never put it back. Waste of money to buy one, IMHO.

[Flyrotor]

Think about it, an airplane has flaps that extend only a short amount, but it makes a huge difference in the airflow, it actually makes more drag, which in turn produces lift, the wing is much less aerodynamic with just a small change.

If you deflect the air too much at the cab of your truck, you are creating more drag, with a huge empty pocket between the deflector and the trailer.

You are better off to just take your chances with the deflection from the cab to initiate the air flow up and let the trailer do the rest.

That's my opinion

[dalenoel]

You can calculate your mileage for the whole trip with the deflector but it will only do the best job when you are 'at speed'. If you are not traveling at highway speeds the affect is slim to none to negative. Part of your consideration must be how much time you are on the highway of your total travel time.