LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Just two years after launching the Trailer UnderTray System, SmartTruck says it has deployed 20,000 units.
It also has expanded its product line, with a new pup trailer version introduced at this year’s American Trucking Associations Management Conference.
“We introduced our company and product two years ago at this ATA show,” said Mike Henderson, CEO of SmartTruck. “To have grown to this point and hear the savings and durability reports from our customers is a testament to the success of our aerodynamic and mechanical design strategy. We are using the air to the vehicle’s advantage and placing the UnderTray components safely inside the footprint of the trailer. This gives us maximum performance and durability.”
SmartTruck says fuel savings range from 5.5-10+%, depending on application and the system that’s used. It also says durability has improved, with replacement rates of less than 1%. One happy customer is Con-Way Truckload.
“We have installed 1,800 of the UT-6 UnderTray Systems on our trailers with zero dollars spent on maintenance,” said Randy Cornell, vice-president of maintenance, Con-way Truckload. “These systems are contributing to increased fuel efficiency, and our drivers can still get under the trailer easily to conduct proper pre-trip safety inspections.”
Meanwhile, SmartTruck expanded its offerings at this year’s ATA conference with the introduction of its newest model, designed for use with 28-ft. pup trailers.
“Pup trailers present a similar challenge to 53-ft. trailers,” said Henderson. “We are applying the same UnderTray design strategies that have worked so well on 53-ft. trailers, using our CFD analysis techniques to understand the different flow field that exists with the pups. We are applying that knowledge to the adaptation of our UnderTray system to provide similar performance for pup operators. The pup UnderTray systems will have the same ruggedness and durability with very quick installations that our customers have come to expect.”
Fuel savings will range from 2-3% on drop frame trailers using the aero rain guard and side fairings, up to 8-9% when deploying the aero rain guard, side fairings, nose system and forward undertray on straight frame trailers, the company reports.
The Canadian distributor of the system is Northern Aerodynamic Solutions, which can be found online at www.NorthernAerodynamic.com.