Tweet

Sep 11, 2012 12:09 PM

Makers of aerodynamic devices are engaged in a wide range  of efforts to improve upon their designs, searching for ways to reduce costs  while boosting longevity, durability and fuel savings, thus lowering return on  investment (ROI) calculations for carriers.

  “Definitely weight reduction is a big consideration and  customers consistently demand lower pricing,” Andy Acott, sales manager for  trailer side skirt maker Laydon Composites Ltd., told Fleet Owner.

  “This trend will never stop and we as a manufacturer will  never stop researching and developing newer and better products. I think what  we see on the nation’s trailers today is a pretty good ‘first rendition’ but  there’s a huge amount of room for improvement. The stage is set for better  products to come where the most creative and innovative companies will  succeed.”

  Acott said that fuel savings remain the driving force  behind sales of Laydon’s devices, but that certainly government regulations  continue to help “energize” interest in them.

  “There is absolutely no doubt California’s mandates have  increased demand over a much shorter period,” he emphasized. “For example, six  years ago there were approximately two or three companies selling side skirts.  Today, that number has more than quadrupled and companies are now offering gap  fairings and boat tail devices in addition to trailer skirts.”

  ATDynamics offers one example of how customer  demand is “reshaping” the aerodynamic products being offered for freight  trailers.

  Originally the company offered just one version of its  “TrailerTail” device when it introduced it to the trucking industry back in  2008. Now it offers four others: the TrailerTail Roll for units that have  roll-up rear doors; the TrailerTail Nano to comply with Canadian vehicle length  requirements; the TrailerTail Tarp for rolling tarp flatbeds; and the  TrailerTail Drop for drop-frame units.

  The company now even offers side skirts as well via a  partnership with Transtex, noted Andrew Smith, founder and CEO of ATDynamics.

  “California’s mandates for tractor-trailer fuel  efficiency raised a new level of industry awareness about trailer  aerodynamics,” he noted. “Consistently high and volatile diesel prices have  also impacted fleet decisions to invest in fuel efficiency technologies and  have contributed to faster returns on investment.”

  Yet while many fleets probably implemented trailer  aerodynamics initially in response to the regulations, Smith contended, more  and more decisions are being driven by fuel prices and the savings gained from  fuel efficiency improvements. “Overall, the financial investment and return  carry the most weight in decision-making,” he pointed out.

  “Most fleets know a ‘streamlined’ rig is more efficient  but not all completely understand exactly how much is saved and how the savings  affect their ‘bottom line,’” added Laydon’s Acott. “But [California’s]  regulations forced many fleets to reprioritize – and consequently getting  trailer aerodynamic devices ‘shot up’ on their priority list.”

  Improving the ROI, then, remains the central challenge  faced by trailer aerodynamic device manufacturers, Acott believes – a challenge  that is only increasing as the price of diesel fuel remains on an upward  trajectory.

  “For  example, every fleet has different concerns over side skirts: price, weight,  longevity, ease of installation, etc.,” he said. “As a result, skirts have all  become lighter, less expensive and faster to install – and that points to where  this industry continues to keep heading.”