Airtabs on a van?

Turtle · Aug 26, 2007

I haven't seen any difference in the handling, but I'm sure that's because I already had the Koni shocks and struts, and the heavy duty sway bar installed.
Because the rear-most panel on the Sprinter is already curving, instead of being a right angle like on a box truck, the air flow is already going to be lessened slightly versus a right angle back end. Plus, because of that curve back there, you can't put the Airtabs back as close to the rear as you would optimally like. (I tried, but those Airtabs just have no bendable give at all. Flat surface means flat surface, period.) And because of that curve and the lessened air flow, the rear end low pressure drag, and the constantly filthy rear doors, isn't as significant on a Sprinter that doesn't have the Airtabs, anyway.

However, I'm seeing right at a .75 MPG increase with the Airtabs installed. That's a significant 4% increase, especially in light of the fact that I took a .5 MPG hit when I installed the bug shield on the hood.

I ordered 40 Airtabs. I have 12 on each side and 8 on the roof. I wasted 6 of them trying to force them to bend (they bent for a while, then then un-bent). I have 2 spares.

Passenger side:
http://img6.shareavenue.com/image.php?file=10f275c2be029ac463d342bf3e0650092a1758cc

Driver's side:
http://img6.shareavenue.com/image.php?file=9c2c2af3e3c70be3c2aa16c6c6f8406f2f479303

Rear: Look very closely at the building's door to the right of the van. That's the front door to the Panther Chicago office. Had a delivery there this morning.
http://img6.shareavenue.com/image.php?file=a29080a1412fb57529c433f74cfe16b97d87c650

Slow and steady, even in expediting, wins the race - Aesop

OntarioVanMan · Aug 26, 2007

As I figured cause i knew you had the sway bar and shock work..So is that a recommend or not???

Turtle · Aug 27, 2007

Yes, it's a recommend. Again, because of that curve at the back of the Sprinter, it won't be an "Oh, Wow!" kind of a difference, but somewhere between 4% and 8% better fuel mileage makes it a recommend.

Figuring conservatively at the low end of 4% and of only $200 a week in fuel, that's $8 a week it'll save. Doesn't sound like much, I know, but 12 1/2 weeks times $8 is the $100 cost of the Airtabs. And if you only worked another 30 weeks during the year that's $240 to the good, which is what you'll pay the dealer just for the 12 quarts of transmission fluid. Buy the transmission fluid for half price from Europarts of San Diego and you still have enough left over to buy 2 each of the heavy duty air filters, cabin air filters, and fuuel filters from germanfilters.com.

$100 spent on Airtabs equals free money. The best kind.

Slow and steady, even in expediting, wins the race - Aesop

OntarioVanMan · Aug 27, 2007

You betcha Turtle

As you, Terry and myself have confirmed they work...AND that ladies and gents is one reason why WE will survive this cutthroat market! We are not whinning and crying in our beer we are being proactive and willing to try new things to cut operating costs.
We do what we have to do to survive and be competitive!!!

You big D guys 1/2 MPG based on 100,000 miles a years would SAVE app 4,500 DOLLARS in YOUR pocket....so what your excuse???

Oh wait let me get ya a towel...for those who don't get it.

Moot · Aug 27, 2007

Turtle, I can see streaks made by the redirected airflow behind the air tabs.

Marty · Aug 27, 2007

That's a Moot point!!

Moot · Aug 28, 2007

I wish everything I posted was a moot point!

TeamCaffee · Aug 28, 2007

OntarioVanMan

Obviously you where so over come at the Expo looking at our Super Single tires you didnt notice our Air Tabs! LOL We have had ours for almost two years now and have recomended them often. They are inexspesive and they do help with your fuel milage.

ebsprintin · Aug 30, 2007

Okay, so the airtabs work. Since the principle of the airtab sounds like the same principle that makes dimples on a golf ball work, I'm wondering if I can take my ball peen hammer to the rear perimeter of my van and get similar results. Hmm...dunno. Anyone else willing to give it a try? --eb

Moot · Aug 30, 2007

Be sure and make the dimples the correct size as to whether you want to gain distance or control.

Packmule · Aug 30, 2007

Haaaa!!

Moot, You never cease to amaze me!!!!

Danny

Turtle · Aug 31, 2007

I'm glad someone picked up on the dark streaks from the redirected air. The day before I had driven through a lot of rain and wet roads, so the van picked up a lot of dirt. But all that dirty water lets ya really see how the Airtabs focus the air.

The Sprinter is already pretty good at keeping the wet road spray behind the vehicle pretty low, already, so you can see behind the van in your rear view mirrors pretty well. But the Airtabs have cut what little spray down to almost nothing. Even had a big truck comment on it the other day, about how my van doesn't put out much spray at all, even compared to other Sprinters. The big thing about that I like most is that it keeps the spray to a minimum on the vehicles behind me, which is both courteous and safer.

I like the headlamp aimer thingy (the technical term) for the same reason.

Slow and steady, even in expediting, wins the race - Aesop