3/16/2023 0 Comments Wind deflector for trucksThis mod could possibly improve aerodynamics by preventing trapped air between the truck camper overhang and the cab of the truck with the hope of providing a small improvement in my rig’s miles per gallon. I also wanted to minimize bug splatter on the under-cab area of the truck camper. I wanted to move air more efficiently around the cab of the truck and the under-cab area of the truck camper. Submitted by: Jim Bennett, 20, 2011 Lance 1050S With one of these four air dams and deflectors, you can pass that gas station and let ‘er rip.ġ. This breaking wind can be loud or silent, but it’s always deadly to your fuel economy. You can enter as many mods as you want, at any time.The space between a truck cab and a camper cabover is notorious for trapping air. If you’d like to enter a modification you’ve done on your truck camper, click here. It is your responsibility to make sure that any do-it-yourself modification project you undertake is safe, effective, and legal for your situation. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is medium.ĭisclaimer: The modifications above are submitted by Truck Camper Magazine readers. ![]() It took me 12 hours to complete this modification and cost me $100. Rubber pipe insulation $6.00 each at Home Depot Remnant pile at $3.50/poundģ0 feet 1/2-inch by 1/16-inch aluminum angle. It would be nice to have access to a wind tunnel to really dial it in!Ĩ′ x 48″. I have a 20, diesel, crew cab, single rear wheel, four wheel drive truck with the 3.73 gear ratio with this mod. I am currently getting 16-miles per gallon at 69 miles per hour. This mod occurred right at that transition point. Well, I know it has to improve fuel economy. I ran out of time last spring and did not finish the final pieces of sheet stock to close in the rear of the truck cab. I filled this gap using rubber 1/2-inch hot water pipe insulation. There is a 3/4-inch gap between this sheet of aluminum and the top of the truck. Next, I closed the sides of the foil using the angle aluminum, rivets, and caulk.įor the V, I once again used the angle aluminum screwed to the bottom of the camper and flat sheet aluminum. Underneath, I attached the two-foot long section of the foil to the bottom of the camper with stainless screws. I used 1/2-inch by 1/2-inch by 1/16-inch aluminum 90-degree angle iron for support and reinforcement (to eliminate any resonance and the potential for oil canning due to air pressure) which was pop-riveted to the upper flat portions of the foil using 1/8-inch aluminum rivets. I suspect it was 6061 and not 5052 aluminum. 030 of an inch, it required the assistance of my visiting brother-in-law and sister to accomplish the bend. The curved bend in the wing was formed on the driveway using a piece of 1-inch electrical conduit clamped to the aluminum sheet. I used Loctite polyseal to seal all joints. ![]() A 30-degree bend was formed in the top edge and stainless screws (6-inch spacing) were utilized to attach the upper edge to the camper. I dug through their aluminum remnant racks for my materials. We have an ALRO metals supplier in my area. ![]() I added the front foil to direct the air above the camper and a V above the truck’s roof to channel the air away from that flat dead wall behind the pickup cab. My Palomino sits really high, so it also has quite a gap at the truck’s roofline. Time permitting, I avoid this issue by traveling mostly back roads and poking around small towns to savor the local amenities and maybe that BBQ on the corner. I have found that at speeds above 60, my fuel mileage is severely compromised. Even on my new Palomino pop-up, there is still 12-inches of leading-edge flat. Click here for information about the 2022 Mod Contest, including how to enter.Īs a retired Aerospace Design Engineer, I always marvel at the aerodynamically inefficient blunt leading edge of some truck campers. At the end of the month, we’ll hold a reader vote to determine May’s winner. One Medium Mod will be published in every Email Alert in May. Welcome to the fourth entry in May’s Medium Mod Contest.
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