Has anyone used the wind deflector on top of their truck pulling 5th wheel trailers? How do you like them and did it help mileage very much? Thanks, Don

 

From what I read on some RV forums a few years back they don't do a whole lot. The vented tailgate is supposed help - when you have the 5th hooked up.

 

Many wind deflectors do not help because they aren't set properly.

It takes 2 people to adjust it. You also need a ribbon long ehough to reach the trailer roof from the deflector. Attach one end of the ribbon to the top of deflector, hitch up the trailer and put that 2nd person in the back seat. Get on the road and have the passenger watch the ribbon. Adjust the deflector until it just lightly touches the roof of the trailer. At that point it will provide its greatest benefit. And I can just about gaurantee it will not look like most on the road.

 

i have been trying to adjust mine since i installed it, makes me feel kind of dumb to see a easy fix like that thanks westtn

 

i had one, it did nothing except reduce the amount of bugs

 

i will adjust mine in the morning on the way back home in 1200 miles i can tell you . there is a product called air tabs that you install on the side at the back of the truck and trailer that does work i think it is airtab.com

 

i've been thinking about the airtabs for my toyhauler. but it seems to me that if they did anything at all, with fuel prices at $4+ wouldn't they be on every single truck and trailer on the road? to this day i've never seen a rig of any kind with an airtab on it. just a thought.

 

Been there, done that with a gasser. Absolutely no difference in mileage or seat of the pants. Just a waste of time and money.

 

So your saying those airtabs are no good? Do nothing?

 

I would be willing to bet they work, but it is just like convincing people that 35 in tires and driving 80 is the reason their fuel mileage is so bad

 

Expensive bug shield.

 

In my case, I had a large full size wind deflector mounted to my headache rack. I always towed at 65 mph max speed and couldn't tell any difference when towing. However, if you drive solo with the thing up it feels like the trailer is still back there and you loose 5 mpg.

Best advice is to keep the money and use it to buy fuel.

 

put the air tabs on your trailer and take a trip with it and you will see a huge stability increase especially with passing trucks , march and April was so windy i could not tell if i gained mileage with them . i adjusted the Taylor wings and traveled 1200 miles Sunday and monday looks like about 0.5 mpg increase and i know that when i unhook from the trailer i will have to lay it down

 

It is said they are good for moving the bug line higher up the Fiver.
The Fiver tail gates are said not to help mileage, but are great for hookng and unhooking. No smahed tailgates.
The best add on for better mileage is your right foot. Keep your speed between 55-60. Air up all your tires to max. Etc.

 

That is one simple but effective windtunnel test! Kudos to you.