Travel Trailer Deflector................

[mjstef]

I have one of THESE i use when i tow my 5er. It helps a lot. Would it do me any good to set it a lot lower for pulling travel trailers or would it just cause turbulence in the bed area????

[mjstef]

I have one of THESE i use when i tow my 5er. It helps a lot. Would it do me any good to set it a lot lower for pulling travel trailers or would it just cause turbulence in the bed area????

[mjstef]

BTT, Anyone have an idea??

[Frankenstien]

Howdy,

From what I've read on this site and others these types of deflectors have been great for keeping the Bugs off the front of 5'ers but not much for helping keep fuel in the Tank...I would think on a regular Travel Trailer you would not gain much as you will be increasing your frontal area for wind resistance.

[John Harrelson]

I know that you don't really want to hear this, but....

Out of maybe a dozen postings on at least four or five RV forums .. I have seen only one person that seems to think those wind deflectors did any good at all..

many of the posters stated that those deflectors actually decreased the miles per gallon after it was installed.

Another thing I noticed in your signature was that you have a "Goose neck" type hitch..

Your signature does not show what brand of 5th wheel you have, but you might want to read some of the postings on the many RV forums about the use of a Goose neck hitch on a 5th wheel RV trailer.

It might scare the pants off you when reading about the damages done to the 5th wheel RVs because of a goose neck hitch.

at any rate, its none of my business, but as a friend, I thought I would bring this to your attention.

best of luck,

John

[TXiceman]

We tried on of the wind deflectors when we had a TT and an S-15 Blazer. I could not see one little difference in MPG or handling. One benifit was the front of the trailer did not have as many bugs; the deflector caught most of them.

Personally, I'd save the almost $500.00 and enjoy a few nice eveinings out.

Ken

[mjstef]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by John Harrelson:
I know that you don't really want to hear this, but....

Out of maybe a dozen postings on at least four or five RV forums .. I have seen only one person that seems to think those wind deflectors did any good at all..

many of the posters stated that those deflectors actually decreased the miles per gallon after it was installed.

Another thing I noticed in your signature was that you have a "Goose neck" type hitch..

Your signature does not show what brand of 5th wheel you have, but you might want to read some of the postings on the many RV forums about the use of a Goose neck hitch on a 5th wheel RV trailer.

It might scare the pants off you when reading about the damages done to the 5th wheel RVs because of a goose neck hitch.

at any rate, its none of my business, but as a friend, I thought I would bring this to your attention.

best of luck,

John </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey John,

I've pulled this 30' Dutchman 5er for 8 years and 40+000 miles with no ill results. My frame is pretty heavy though. I was wondering about the deflector as i am going to pull travel trailers for hire for the winter..................

[Greenie]

I bought one years ago for a pick up/travel trailer combination. I kept track of diesel mileage before and after, there was no real difference. I think if one was to work it would have to be wide, high, and very close to the front of the trailer. OTR trucks with similiar foils are huge, starting at the top of the windsheild and ramping up quickly , leaving very little room between the tractor and the trailer.

[Okie-Go]

I have one and would not take my money back. I got mine from Taylor wings

[shooter]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Okie-Go:
I have one and would not take my money back. I got mine from Taylor wings </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey OKIE
Had a Taylor wing on a short bed with a 13' 5th. worked great, no more mpg but abput 10 mph out in the rockies in winds to 60mph. Got new long bed and was no bennifit at all with 13'3" 5th.
Also while dead heading with wing it lowered my fuelmileage by 3 or 4 mpg than without. The truck still had the frontal area of 80% of the 5th wheel.
Just my experience.
What good is that one if it lays back down in the wind instead of saying up and deflecting the wind over the top ????

Part time towing, winter months, It will never pay for its self in fuel.

[DirtyAl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I was wondering about the deflector as i am going to pull travel trailers for hire for the winter.................. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Pardon me for butting in here, but I think that line says it all. If you are pulling other people's travel trailers, mileage concerns might not be as important as protecting their property. If a deflector keeps the bugs off, not to mention the occasional piece of road debris thrown up by the truck in front of you, how much is that worth in customer relations?

Allen B.