Airtabs, Airtabs, whos got Airtabs?

greg334 · Sep 14, 2005

Ok I been meaning to ask, who uses airtabs?

I was in Chicago a couple weeks ago and I saw several trucks and trailers with Airtabs. Every one of these trucks was Canadian, which makes me think that they know something that we in the states don’t.

Well anyway, I am thinking about getting them to try in January but until then I would like to hear what others think and how they preformed.

redytrk · Sep 14, 2005

So far all the information and claims made by Air Tabs regards their use on tractor trailer combinations.

I doubt that the same conclusions could be drawn for straight trucks.

Will a study ever be done to include us? I doubt it.

BigBusBob · Sep 14, 2005

I agree, I've seen the ads, and scratched my head over them...
They only have remarks regarding 18 wheeler operations.
I would like to see them have solid numbers on fuel savings regarding straight trucks, cargo vans, busses, even the motorhomes, as well as 18 wheel operations.

However, that being said, I imagine it would be difficult for them because of the fact that there are so many different sleeper layouts for straight trucks, which would effect aerodynamics of the whole vehicle. Cargo vans and busses though are all (for the most part) shaped "generally" the same, so they should/could include numbers for those types of vehicles.

I too would be interested in reading feedback with those that are using them on their equipment.

LDB · Sep 15, 2005

I was talking to someone at the Dallas truck show who has LOTS of experience in expediting. They have them on their truck. The biggest benefit they see is much better stability. No more buffeting when passing or being passed by an 18 wheeler. Fuel mileage went up a little but not much. They'd never run without them again for the stability benefit I was told. I'm probably going to put them on my new truck for that reason and if it helps the mpg a little that's an added bonus.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

greg334 · Sep 15, 2005

Thanks for the response.

I am trying to find an email address for the company to propose a test to find out what, if at all the advantages of AirTabs have with the popular types of trucks we use, Cargo vans, Sprinters, Class 7 straight trucks and Class 8 straight trucks (using some of our own trucks).

Now the site claims that straight trucks were tested, but I don’t think that was with sleepers which may make a difference in performance. I did see one expediter that had them on his truck and claimed an increase in fuel mileage and reduction in fatigue driving the truck.

Now of course I don’t expect to buy a product to test it and give them more sales, I hope as with other companies I worked with they would provide a few sets of AirTabs to test and in turn have the test results published on Sites like EO. I think (personal sales opinion) that providing a product to several professional drivers to test out and return real world results would be great advertising and in turn make more sales, right?

Any comments?

guest · Sep 16, 2005

Well, okay, I admit it, I have airtabs on my truck. Do they work? Now what do you think I am going to say?

As for the application on straight trucks rather than tractor trailers, a straight truck is actually a MUCH better application than a tractor trailer because you get the maximum benefit from the "vortex generation" on the rear of the box on the straight truck. Since most tractors are not permanently mated to the same trailer, tractor owners have to put them on the rear of their tractor, which does help bridge the gap between truck and trailer, but the real benefit comes from helping reduce the turbulence created by the large corners on the rear of the truck. Thus, a straight truck is probably the ideal application for airtabs, IN THEORY.

Now, as for my experience, airtabs claims mileage improvements of around 5%. This would mean that if I got 9.9 mpg, I might get 10.4 mpg with the airtabs. In reality, my mileage fluctuates from 9.5 mpg to 11 mpg and I have not noticed a change in this since the airtabs were installed. However, with a mileage fluctuation that large there could be a small improvement that is hard to measure.

As for stability, the benefits are very noticeable. It just makes the truck a lot easier to handle.

Would I put them on again? Yes. I believe I have gotten my $205 money's worth. Even a tiny mileage gain would quickly result in a $205 savings.

teacel · Sep 18, 2005

FYI

I find airtabs as a driver’s personal preference. Here is a picture of an expediter using them,

http://www.airtab.com/Images/photogallery/thumstraightvanfull.jpg
Look at the back edge of the box for the tabs, some trucks place them on the front as well.

And the site to airtab for more info! http://www.airtab.com/

LDB · Sep 18, 2005

>Now, as for my experience, airtabs claims mileage
>improvements of around 5%.
>
>As for stability, the benefits are very noticeable. It just
>makes the truck a lot easier to handle.
>
>Would I put them on again? Yes. I believe I have gotten my
>$205 money's worth. Even a tiny mileage gain would quickly
>result in a $205 savings.

The team I talked to about them are very well known in the industry with many years of experience. They said the improvement in stability was significant and definitely reduced the fatigue of driving. That sold me on them with nothing else added. I've also been told to look for more like a 2% improvement in fuel economy. Any added mpg will just be a bonus because it's the stability and fatigue reduction I'm going for. I pick up the new truck in about a month and plan to run it several weeks to establish a baseline before doing modifications but will report my findings in a few months.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

TheGoodGuy · Sep 19, 2005

Checked out their website..Many broken links...Can't buy them if you wanted to. Can't even get a price..Maybe it was down because they were adjusting their prices upwards....

Who Knows

davekc · Sep 19, 2005

I can't speak to any fuel economy improvement, but they do keep the back of a trailer or box alittle cleaner.
Seems like they cut trailer sway down just a little.
As mentioned, it would seem it would work on a staight truck as well.
For $200.00, I would be willing to try them on one straight truck to see if they are beneficial.

Davekc