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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/European_Union_Flag.jpg They found a 6ft boatail could reduce fuel consumption 7.5%. (http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-daum5-2009nov05,0,999293.column)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/boatail_semi.jpgScience Daily (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121037.htm) - Nov 5, 2009

A practical idea that can be implemented today. Don't be suprized if Wal-Mart tries this. --Ed.

A boat tail, a tapering protrusion mounted on the rear of a truck, leads to fuel savings of 7.5 percent. This is due to dramatically-improved aerodynamics, as shown by road tests conducted by the Dutch PART (Platform for Aerodynamic Road Transport) public-private partnership platform.

A boat tail is a tapering protrusion about two metres in length mounted on the rear of a truck....http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121037.htm



















An interesting little blurb came up on Gizmag today.
They don't give a direct link to a source article so...
http://www.gizmag.com/truck-boat-tail/13283/

Interesting that they get a significant improvement of FE with just a slight "Kamm" back. Think of how it might improve with a trailer built on a entirely new ground-up design.

It might make sense to have the last 10 or 15 feet of a traliers sides mounted on hinges. When the trailer is not filled to capacity, bring in the sides of the truck a few degrees so it leaves a smaller hole in the air. When the truck is full run in its normal configuration.

It might make sense to have the last 10 or 15 feet of a traliers sides mounted on hinges. When the trailer is not filled to capacity, bring in the sides of the truck a few degrees so it leaves a smaller hole in the air. When the truck is full run in its normal configuration.

Problem is all the container trucks.

You need the extra boat tail but then you need a simple system to put the boat tail on/up once the container's loaded. Maybe something where the boat tail folds down into a ramp and raises up to become the tail.

I'm sure there's plenty of leeway on the weight still to provide diesel savings.

The picture suggests a foldable design.

It looks like it could also work on a tractor driving 'bobtail' with no trailer. Just keep the boattail with the truck, and attach it to whatever trailer is being towed.

Problem is all the container trucks.

You need the extra boat tail but then you need a simple system to put the boat tail on/up once the container's loaded. Maybe something where the boat tail folds down into a ramp and raises up to become the tail.

I'm sure there's plenty of leeway on the weight still to provide diesel savings.

I doubt it would do much good on a container with its corrugated sides.
http://static-p4.fotolia.com/jpg/00/04/84/69/400_F_4846958_pXCXJd1lyIK1UP2Eq9MRLJnEzgszeI7J.jpg

I thought they had laws in Europe about how long the truck + trailer could be. And I thought that was why they always have the 'cab over engine' type trucks. What I'm getting at is, would a 7.5% reduction in the fuel bill make up for the reduced amount of cargo the truck can carry?

A trailer company could probably put at the end four panels that slide into a boattail.