Initial Impression of Air-Tabs

rode2rouen · Apr 19, 2006

Well, the weather in NE oHIo finally gave me an opportunity to get the Air-Tabs mounted on the back of my box last Friday. Yesterday I drove up to Belleville, MI, where my freight originates, and the improvement in the wind was immediately obvious. The effect of cross winds is much lower than without the Air-Tabs, and the push/pull effect of trucks passing has been reduced a bunch!! If there is no gain in fuel mileage, the Air-Tabs were worth installing just for the increased stability.

Speaking of fuel mileage, I filled up this morning and the number was 9.845MPG. The number isn't too relative as about 1/3 of the miles run were MT and without the Air-Tabs on the truck. As I get some more miles I will update the mileage info.

Rex

TeamCaffee · Apr 19, 2006

We cannot wait to hear how you do with the tabs. We have been wavering back and forth on to purchase or not. They sure are not pretty but it sounds like it could be worth it. Please keep posting you how you get along with them!!

Broompilot · Apr 19, 2006

Please do keep us Posted Rex,

Thanks

rode2rouen · Apr 21, 2006

>
> They sure are not pretty.........
>

Bob,

One of the greatest lessons I've learned in my sometimes misspent lifetime is: "Form Follows Function".

Speaking only to the aerodynamic benefits, they're beautious! The truck is less work to drive, and this AM I got to run in the rain and the rear view is much clearer.

Rex

unorthodoxneon · Apr 21, 2006

Any pictures?

ATeam · Apr 21, 2006

This is good information, Rex. Thank you for sharing. I'm looking forward to the rest of the story.

mrgoodtude · Apr 25, 2006

Hey Rode, where did you find a dealer for the Air Tabs? I have looked on the net and did not find anything on sales but the articles I came across were very interesting.
Thank's
Mike and Cyn

TeamCaffee · Apr 25, 2006

http://www.airtab.com/

They have a nice site.

unorthodoxneon · Apr 25, 2006

It also has a link to a straight truck expediter and pictures

http://www.airtab.com/Images/photogallery/straightvanfull.htm

rode2rouen · Apr 27, 2006

As I hunt and peck, sitting at the TA on I-40@MM 68 in Tenn., the initial figures for fuel mileage are in. Having run 5 loads of fuel through the truck since installing the AirTabs, the average is a respectable 9.9766MPG.

The best figure was 10.696, and the worst (today, heading for the house while ignoring my usual 66.6MPH max speed) is 9.487. The weather has been a big help as I haven't had to idle more than a few hours since the installation of the AirTabs. I had been planning on an APU, but the replacement of the M11 has moved that purchase a way down the road.

Rex

TeamCaffee · Apr 28, 2006

Rex

Thanks for the update, keeping track of everything, and sharing with the rest of us. You did not mention if the fuel mileage is higher then your pre tab mileages or about the same.

Thanks

LDB · Apr 28, 2006

>Speaking only to the aerodynamic benefits, they're
>beautious! The truck is less work to drive, and this AM I
>got to run in the rain and the rear view is much clearer.
>
>
>Rex

I was following some regular trucks after a rain. The roads were still completely wet. The trucks up ahead were almost in a fog the spray at the back was so thick. Looking in my mirrors I could see past the airtabs as clearly as if the road were dry. They definitely cause the moisture to funnel back rather than mushrooming out to make the blinding fog behind a truck with no tabs.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

rode2rouen · Apr 29, 2006

>Rex
>
> You did not mention if the
>fuel mileage is higher then your pre tab mileages or about
>the same.
>
>Thanks

Bob,

To be honest, it's really a tough call. The original M11 engine that suffered spontaneous disassembly on 3/23/06 had been giving an average of around 9.2MPG (high 8s to mid 9s). The Cummins ReCon engine was a few tenths over that figure from the git-go, but there is insufficient data to state with any certainty that the AirTabs have improved fuel mileage.

I should have established a longer baseline with the new engine before installing the AirTabs, but they had been sitting in the box at the house waiting for the temps to get high enough to put them on. The temps went up and I couldn't stand it....I had to mount them!!!!!

Given the improved aero action of the truck, I've gotta believe that there is some mileage benefit. For the sake of argument, I'll say it's a 3% gain. That gives me an extra, let's say .27MPG, or 27 miles for every 1000 driven. In a 100K+ year there is a definite payback.

That's my story, and I'm sticking by my guns!!

Rex

TeamCaffee · Apr 29, 2006

Rex,

Thanks for the update on fuel. I also felt that helping the stability of the truck would improve the fuel mileage. With fuel prices going up everyday anything we can do to help our fuel mileage will affect our bottom line. Where they pretty easy to install? We are planning on being at home in June and I would like to install them at that time.

Thanks

unorthodoxneon · Apr 29, 2006

Also like the site said you dont have to fight the steering wheel to keep the truck in line. So that too helps save rubber on tires so they last longer which also saves some money. And from people saying that their truck is alot easier to drive is worth it in my opinion. And easy truck to drive is less strain in the driver, which makes you more alert... (you get the point

)

rode2rouen · Apr 29, 2006

>Where they pretty
>easy to install? We are planning on being at home in June
>and I would like to install them at that time.
>

Bob,

The installation took me about an hour and a half. I have a roll-up door, so hinges weren't an issue, but there was some "freestyle" placements due to a few rivets on the sides and less than flat corners on the roof.

Rex

TeamCaffee · Apr 30, 2006

Rex,

Thanks for the information. I will be ordering our Air Tabs next week and hope by the Expo to have a report on them. I will be adding 3 too boxes to the truck next time we are at home and the air tabs so I should be able to have a pretty good idea on how the air tabs change our fuel mileage.

Thanks,

ATeam · Apr 30, 2006

>Rex,
>
>Thanks for the information. I will be ordering our Air Tabs
>next week and hope by the Expo to have a report on them. I
>will be adding 3 too boxes to the truck next time we are at
>home and the air tabs so I should be able to have a pretty
>good idea on how the air tabs change our fuel mileage.
>
>Thanks,

I'm looking forward to your report. It sounds like it would be wise for the Air Tabs people to have a booth at the Expo, if they are not already signed up.