Wind Deflectors-Are they worth the money?

[Sharpshooter123]

Just wondering about wind deflectors, do they really help with fuel mileage? I have an '05 Dodge Quadcab 2500 pulling a 26RBS Coachman Cascade that is 11ft tall. Do I need to spend the money on a deflector? Thanks for your input in advance!

[Sharpshooter123]

Just wondering about wind deflectors, do they really help with fuel mileage? I have an '05 Dodge Quadcab 2500 pulling a 26RBS Coachman Cascade that is 11ft tall. Do I need to spend the money on a deflector? Thanks for your input in advance!

[RustyJC]

In all the discussions I've seen, a few (very few) individuals indicate that the fuel mileage gains have been worthwhile. Most users say that, if they can detect any mileage difference at all, it's in the neighborhood of 0.5 MPG or less.

The main advantage you hear mentioned on the taller 5th wheels such as ours (12'6") is that it moves the bug line up on the front cap!

Rusty

[John66]

What really helps with gas mileage is slowing down. At the speed limit, I averaged 8.2 MPG towing the 5er. At 60 MPH, I averaged 9.8 MPG, and at 55 MPH, 10.2, a 25% improvement

[rehcuobbob]

Sharpshooter:

Had one, kept it for a couple of months and ditched it! Like Rusty said, all it did was moce the bug splatters higher on the nose cone, but then you have the lower bugs on the deflector! So my short answer is "Save your money for something usefull"

Bob

[CD]

John66
I have experienced similar readings. At $2.40 per gal. that is $.60 less cost. I don't advise driving 50 on the interstates but keeping your foot out of it sure helps the cost and is safer.

[CyberVet65]

I had a "wind deflector". It did not save me a penny in fuel costs. It did do two things for me:
1. Kept most of the junk off the front (nose) of the 5th wheel.
2. Provided a stabilizing air flow in serious crosswinds.
3. Being polished stainless steel it sure looked pretty on top of my black truck!

At a campground a couple once asked me what that thing was on the roof of my truck. I told them it was a "spoiler" like the NASCAR racers use. It keeps the rear duals on the pavement at 110 mph!

[Ray,IN]

To my knowledge they are the single most expensive bug deflector on the market today. I've wonder about the cost effectiveness of them myself. Perhaps someone has kept a spreadsheet of 5-10 years driving/towing with one.