DALLAS, Texas — Trailer tail manufacturer ATDynamics announced at the American Trucking Associations convention, an ambitious goal to have another 50,000 trailer tail devices deployed on US highways by 2014.

The devices, not yet approved in Canada, are US EPA SmartWay-verified. Currently, about 5,000 trailer tails have been sold into the US market.

The ‘Campaign for the next 50,000 tails’ aims to grow that number tenfold over the next three years. ATDynamics is launching several initiatives to help make it happen: increasing options for factory-installed trailer tails at OEM facilities; launching an expanded 2012 swing door TrailerTail product line for low and high mileage dry vans and reefers, including drop deck and rolling tarp trailers; launching a roll door product line in 2012; and expanding an existing Fleet Trial Program that allows carriers to test up to 200 TrailerTails at no risk.

“ATDynamics’ TrailerTail has redefined the shape of the modern semi-trailer,” said Andrew Smith, founder and CEO of ATDynamics. “With more than 5,000 TrailerTails sold, we will work with the most profitable fleets in the industry to deploy over 50,000 tails on America’s highways by 2014. TrailerTails have become a highly visible sign of which fleets are operating with the greatest fuel efficiency.”

“The side skirt successfully established in the minds of fleet owners and executives the legitimacy of trailer aerodynamics as a major opportunity to save fuel,” added Kyle Houston, ATDynamics vice-president of sales. “Skirts save fuel, and tails double those savings. Ordering fuel-efficient trailers for 2012 means ordering trailers with skirts and tails. Non-aerodynamic trailers will burn 14 gallons more fuel per 1,000 miles at highway speeds than those with tails and skirts.”

The company estimates deploying 50,000 trailer tails will deliver to industry US$800 million in fuel savings over the next decade.