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With a large air gap between the tractor and trailer, high-speed air rushes into the void, causing a low-pressure area that drags on the tractor hurting fuel economy. In the tractor-trailer gap without TruckWings, fast moving, turbulent airflow – light blue and green in this diagram – causes a low-pressure area dragging on the tractor. Flow also detaches off the roof fairing and becomes turbulent before striking the top of the trailer.
With TruckWings, aerodynamic panels deploy to close the gap, causing air speed to drop and reduce downstream turbulence. An increase in back-of-cab pressure reduces overall drag on the tractor-trailer – especially in high crosswind environments. With TruckWings, airflow velocity in the gap is reduced – shown in purple and dark blue – raising pressure and reducing drag on the tractor. Flow stays attached on the top TruckWings panel and remains laminar on top of the trailer.
TruckWings have been proven to reduce fuel consumption by 4-6% on average through independent, third party tests including TMC Type II weighed-tank fuel tests, computational fluid dynamics simulations, scale wind tunnel tests, and on-road fleet tests.
Following the industry-standard approach for truck aerodynamics R&D, we validated TruckWings first in the wind tunnel with Auto Research Center and through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with TotalSIM US. In controlled testing environments, TruckWings were again validated by MVT Solutions and through TMC Type II weighed fuel tank tests. In operation, fleets have performed monitored tests exceeding 2 million miles of data to further verify savings from TruckWings. Learn more about our validation process and results at truckwings.com/fuel-savings.
Yes, TruckWings have been shown to improve trailer stability and overall safety by streamlining the air flowing from the tractor to trailer, reducing buffeting and trailer sway in high crosswinds. TruckWings also outperform even the longest side extenders on the market today, so fleets can save by ordering the shortest side extenders available from the factory and saying goodbye to costly damage repairs.
The TruckWings controller installed on the truck’s CAN data link provides real-time speed information used to determine if the truck is at highway speeds safe to deploy the panels. Additionally, a smart trailer sensor scans the area behind the TruckWings to ensure adequate clearance exists to deploy safely every time.
A trailer pulled far forward contributes to increased operating costs from damaged side extenders, accelerated steer tire wear, and poor handling. TruckWings allow you to relax the fifth wheel settings for optimal weight distribution and steering feel while achieving even better on-highway drag reduction with less potential for damage.
Maintenance directors know that long side extenders as part of a truck’s aerodynamic package are a compromise; the marginal savings they provide at highway speeds can be wiped out with a single damage event from trailer contact. TruckWings package within the envelope of the shortest factory side extenders on the market, giving up to 34” of gap coverage when you want it, and not an inch more around those tight turns in the yard. TruckWings let fleets skip the expensive, longer side extenders from the factory while reducing low speed damage and improving on-highway fuel efficiency.
TruckWings can be financed through your dealer to deliver savings from day one. Additionally, TruckLabs offers an all-in-one transfer kit so that you can easily transition your TruckWings from one truck to the next – ensuring you see the full return on a system designed to last 1 million miles.
TruckWings are the first aerodynamic product in trucking to provide performance reports and operational uptime monitoring pulled directly from the truck, sent to the cloud, and delivered to your inbox. No more second-guessing if your investment is truly operational and saving fuel.
The majority of class 8 tractors with full aerodynamic fairing packages and horizontal exhausts from Kenworth, Freightliner, International, Volvo, and Peterbilt are currently supported.
TruckWings are most effective on fleets running dry van or intermodal trailer operations, but a smart trailer sensor can detect any object too close to the cab and prevent deployment if necessary.
Yes, custom accessory options are available and a TruckLabs Customer Success manager will work with you to ensure the TruckWings system is optioned to suit your fleet’s needs.
The panels are made from glass-reinforced polypropylene. This material is widely used in the industry inside trailer bodies and other aerodynamic technologies due to its light weight and durability. The frame is made of 5052 aerospace-grade aluminum that is fastened together using Grade 8 corrosion-resistant bolts. It is fastened to the back of the cab with high-strength aluminum rivets used in shipbuilding, trucks and passenger busses, and trailers.
TruckWings are powered using the truck’s own secondary compressed air system to drive three pneumatic cylinders controlled by a central directional valve.
TruckWings have been road-tested by fleets across Canada, Montana, Wisconsin, and Indiana through three winters of snow, winds, and ice. We apply the same corrosion-resistant zinc-aluminum plating used in truck undercarriages on all our fasteners. The ISO 15552 rated actuators are capable of performing down to -30ºF and resisting all wind loads within the safe operating limits of your tractor and have undergone 10-year accelerated life testing to ensure operation over the life of the product. Our oldest models on the road today have performed over 500,000 miles in 3 years only requiring a 20 minute bushing service.
TruckWings can be shipped fully assembled – only requiring adapter brackets to be riveted to the cab before lifting the entire system onto the brackets.The total install takes less than two hours from start to finish.
Under normal operating conditions, TruckWings are designed to perform for 1,000,000 miles or 10 years, depending on the vehicle’s annual mileage with preventative maintenance performed.
Routine inspections are designed to maximize uptime and align with existing tractor PMI schedules. The PMI checklist should take no more than 15 minutes to perform. Engineered composite bushings used in pivot points deliver low wear rates and quiet operation, without the need for lubrication. Should the bushings require replacement, they are easily accessed and replaced from the catwalk in under 30 minutes.
All parts are covered by 2 year limited warranty, covering any manufacturing or product defects. Full product terms & conditions can be found at truckwings.com/product-terms. To submit a warranty claim, an RMA can be submitted directly to the TruckWings Service Department.
Any service center currently maintaining fleet trucks can directly order parts from TruckLabs and repair the units themselves with access to our catalog of Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repair Guides. Training can be provided to familiarize the service center company with our literature, parts ordering process, and the easy bolt-on, bolt-off procedures.
