Would any of the veteran pullers out there care to share insights as to the usefulness of the "air dams" when pulling a fifth wheel? As a retired science person, it would seem that they would really serve to "cut" through the air better then the front of the fifth wheel. Please comment and suggestions would be welcome as to which to buy. Thanks. Popeye. ??? ???

 

Don't know about the roof air deflector but I have heard positive things about the air tabs that are for sale. These go on the sides near the back of a trailer and work (I think) to reduce the vacuum at the rear. Supposed to get better fuel mileage and better stability. Never used them myself tho.<br><br>Paul<br>'03 HO/6spd quad sb

 

I have seen a few on the highway, and understand they help some, but I don't know how much. My fifth wheel trailer has a mildly sloped front on it to help wind flow, so I haven't felt it needed to add the roof air deflector to the truck. Milage is as good as I expected already, pulling an 11000 lb. trailer, so didn't feel the extra expense was worth it unless towing all the time. FWIW

 

I have used a wind deflector on the roof of my truck, although I haven't used it since I got my CTD. I had a Ford Crewcab that I used it on. The one I have is not one of the real expensive aluminum ones, it's just a flat fiberglass panel on a frame with an adjustable angle. I noticed a small improvement in mileage and the rig seemed to tow a little easier. The biggest benefit for me was that the wind deflector kept a majority of the bugs off the front of my fiver. The frame for the deflector clamped in the rain gutters of my Ford, but I have to rig up something for my CTD as it has no rain gutters.<br><br>Hope this helps some.'<br><br>DeWain

 

There is really no benefit other than to keep the bugs off of the front of the 5er.

 

Don't have the mounting clips for my 2003 yet but I did note .5 mpg improvement in fuel economy with my 97 and Newmar fifth wheel. Perhaps the biggest benefit is more stable towing. You don't get the buffeting from heavy cross winds and trucks. I would buy another one. Hoping they do the mounting clips for my 2003 soon. My two cents.<br><br>Casey

 

I had a Turbo Wing on a 98 3500 That I used to pull a 52ft enclosed car hauler saw minor MPG rise .5....did find it helped most when towing into a strong head wind<br><br>Would I buy another one ??....maybe but only if it was a good deal ;D

 

I just was looking for a thread where these things were tested on about 10 different configurations of 5ers, short bed vrs long, travel trailers, etc. Can't find it. The general concensus was more money was spent on the wing than was saved in fuel costs. In fact, if memory serves me right, only two configurations helped fuel at all. Several actually decreased economy. It was no help on travel trailers, in fact decreased mileage on one.

The dynamics of it all seemed to boil down to (on the fivers) the configuration of the front of the fiver. If the fiver was rather aerodynamic, it got the best mileage without it. The best gain was with a blunt nosed cattle hauler, however the article did comment that unit was only about 10.5 feet high, not 12.5. The next best gain was with a short bed. I have seen several comments on the rear spoiler that were positive. I have never seen one yet, only pics.

The article also commented that the wing decreased efficiency of the truck running solo even in the collapsed position. So, how do you win?

Bob