Aerodynamics is a vital part of modern trucking, as decreasing the amount of resistance on the vehicle increases fuel efficiency massively. Up to 50% of fuel consumption can go into overcoming the force of air resistance on the truck.
We looked at the aerodynamic advantage of including Rhino mudguards on these truck-trailers compared to trailers with custom-made flat metal guards or splash guards.
Figure 1 – Trailer with Rhino Guards, Poles and Saddles
Figure 2 – Trailer with flat guards or splash guards or mudflaps
To do this a test was set up where a trailer shape was designed. A simulation software was used to compare the following:
- Force of Air Resistance – force that moves through air resists motion.
- Drag Coefficient – measure of how easily an object moves through airflow of the trailer with and without guards.
Results demonstrate Rhino guards are more aerodynamic than flat guards, splash guards or mudflaps.
The comparison found that a trailer with Rhino guards is 3% better at moving through the air and undergoes 2% less air resistance than the same trailer with flat metal guards. These might seem small numbers but when you calculate 2-3% savings on your fuel over a year let alone the lifetime of your trailer unit it adds up!
Flow Simulation of Trailer with Rhino Guards