SmartTruck’s new side fairings offer greater fuel savings, universal fit

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — SmartTruck has introduced a new, patented low-profile version of their trailer Side Fairing system, which officials say offers a 0.5% improvement over the previous model and, combined with the SmartTruck UnderTray System, delivers up to 10.5% in fuel savings. The new Side Fairing system, launched today at the Mid-America Trucking Show, will be available to customers in June.

“Our first generation Side Fairing design had excellent performance, but it would not fit on most reefer trailers with corrugated side panels,” said Steve Wulff, COO for SmartTruck. “So we went back to the design table to build a more universal product that will fit on all trailers.”

“We used a very complex computer optimization strategy to fine tune the aerodynamic shape of this new Side Fairing system while maintaining the needed low profile design to allow for maximum swing door clearance,” said Mike Henderson, chief scientist for SmartTruck. “After 20,000 different design iterations, we had the shape we wanted – better performance out of a smaller part. The aerospace industry uses similar techniques for sophisticated wing design for new aircraft.”

The new Side Fairing system fits both dry van and reefer trailers as the leading edge component can mesh with corrugated trailer panels. The narrower fairing design – a one-inch profile compared to the previous 1.75-inch profile – provides better swing clearance for trailer doors.

“SmartTruck is an out-of-the-box fuel economy improvement solution partner, and our fleet of 900 trailers is fully deployed with their UT6 trailer aerodynamic solution,” said Brad Pinchuk, president of Hirschbach Motor Lines. “Fuel is our largest expense and their UT6 product has improved our highway fuel efficiency by roughly 7%. Mike Henderson and team have recently developed new side fairings to add to the rear sides of our reefer trailers, which we expect to yield an additional 3% MPG improvement at highway speeds. Needless to say, we’ve been anxiously awaiting their arrival and are planning a rapid deployment. We can hardly wait to see what SmartTruck comes up with next.

“In addition to the fuel economy improvements, our drivers consistently report being less fatigued pulling trailers with SmartTruck’s UT6,” said Pinchuk. “The channeling of air to the rear of the trailers apparently has the added benefit of allowing the trailers to pull straighter. Our maintenance team is also a fan of the UT6 for allowing more air to reach our trailer tires and brakes, which we believe will yield longer life.”

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