Increase MPG

[gojack]

I think there's a decimal problem somewhere. To save $5B based on a 4% savings would mean the original expense was $125 Billion. I'm sure they spend quite a bit but don't think it's that much. Perhaps million is the scale.

I stand corrected,
I should have checked my math more carefully.

It should read 50 Million Dollars not 5 Billion dollars

Thanks LBD, glad someone is paying attention.


6 million miles a day x 365 days = 2.2 billion annual miles

(5+ million loaded miles per day from Schneiders web site and assuming a conservative 20% deadhead miles)

2,200,000,000 / 7.0 mpg = 312,857,143 annual gallons

312,857,143 gallons x $4.00 gallon = $1,251,428,572 annual fuel cost

$1,251,428,572 x .04% fuel savings = $ 50,057,143 annual savings... 50 Million Dollars

if AirTabs worked as promised.

If they worked...
They would test them in a way to PROVE IT.
Then they would sell them to every big carrier.

See : Information Bridge: DOE Scientific and Technical Information - Sponsored by OSTI

"We had originally planned on testing the fuel saving ability of the products with a fleet
partner. However, the fleets we talked to about design issues, as well as the Freightliner LLC
engineers that helped us with our first operations/road test, made it clear that SAE J1321 type II
standardized tests performed by a respected facility were absolutely necessary to gain market
acceptance. For example, a letter from Schneider National (Americas largest private carrier) is
attached (see supplemental information figure 11) which informed us that they do not consider
any product without SAE/TMC test results. Fleet owners are very skeptical of fuel savings
products because they are often approached by companies marketing ineffective products with
exaggerated claims and questionable “test results”."

 

[LDB]

I don't know if they save fuel but they do provide better airflow past the back of the truck. The benefits of that are better visibility to the rear on wet roads and less dirt on the back of the truck. I'll be adding them for that alone and if they accidentally save some fuel too then that's a bonus.

 

[TeamCaffee]

Rocketman,

We have a Rig Master built in 2005 and have had very good luck with it. If the temperature is really hot in the summer the Rig Master does struggle to keep the truck cool and will stay running constantly to keep up. In the winter though we have never had a problem with the Rig Master keeping us warm.

 

[terryandrene]

Any alleged fuel saving device will have it's skeptics. I'm no different, but when a T/T driving friend gave me enough of his leftover airtabs to apply to my Chevy cargo van, I had nothing to lose so I applied them. I then posted the following last year on EO.


My 2006 Chevrolet 3500 has gotten 17.9 miles per gallon during 3975 miles of a combination of highway, city, loaded, and empty miles recorded earlier this year. During the middle of May, I installed 34 airtabs on the rear of my van. I did so out of curiosity to determine if they were of value on a typical van.

My test period, which ended on June 1, occurred over 3176 miles where I used 168.834 gallons of fuel for an average MPG of 18.81. My driving style and combination of driving conditions were comparable during my before and after airtab test. Needless to say, I'm very pleased with the performance of these little plastic triangles. In addition to a 5% increase in mileage, I get a greatly reduced dirt buildup on the rear of the van. I also had better visibility, during rain, in the door mounted rearview mirrors because the modified airflow diminished the air turbulence behind the van.

 

[Broompilot]

Air tabs, slow down etc...

Bad news is the person who posted this stated a Western Star, bad news is that is about the biggest Brick ever made for Aerodynamics. Thats hurting you big time, Stacks? Thats about another half mpg drag.

I do not want to come accross wrong that you think I am picking on you. The fact is three four years ago the design in this truck had no consideration for great or greater mpg cause at $2.00 per gallon it was not a concern might of cost you another $2K more per year but for the comfort, style it was a small trade off. But where we are today every one tenth of a mile equals over a thousand dollars a year or more.

Two things that are free to help you save fuel, check the air pressure in the tires, slow down. Everything else is gona cost $ so one needs to consider pay back.

Good luck.

 

[D Team Brothers]

To everyone who has replied, thank you and the info should help everyone. To Broompilot; your 100% correct! Big mistake, but at the time I wanted all the bells and whistle. Now we have to live with the mistake and advise all others not to do it "MY WAY". As to the numerous suggestions; slowing down was proven as the best source of fuel economy when the government declared 55mph nationwide and billions of gallons were saved. I particularly was interested in any responses about improving fuel quality. When fueling in CA/OR/WA, we always see an improvement in our mpg and we assumed it was because of fuel quality or octane boost additives? Any info along these lines out there?

 

[OntarioVanMan]

I like Terry am also running airtabs....although I can't quote numbers off hand and jsut run a daily journal they have gotten about 3/4 mpg and the clean rear end and stability. Last night was my best run ever...over 423 miles at 58 mph....27.33 mpg!! Thats slowing down, additive and airtabs. up from 23.4 mpg

 

[greg334]

OVM,
Speaking of Air Tabs, I am sitting at a walmart yeasterday in Iowa and it is a great day and I have my windows open. Here comes a tractor pulling across from me and something does not seem right. A young couple get out of the truck and go in and I can hear her complaining to him about the money he has wasted on the truck. Well about 45 minutes later they are coming out of the store, got to the truck and she starts yelling about the money he spent on things again. She goes down the list, chrome grill, lights and then she mentions Air tabs. "$300 bucks for these d*mn things that don't do anything"

So I look, and I look again and I was too involved with my book I didn't notice the air tabs at all. They were painted to match the paint, nice blue but as they pulled out and passed me.... well the thing is.... they were installed backwards.

 

[LDB]

and then she mentions Air tabs. "$300 bucks for these d*mn things that don't do anything"
well the thing is.... they were installed backwards.

I just hate it when that happens. Wonder what she'd say if she knew.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

what a waste of 300 bucks...he deserve the nagging he's gettin....*L*