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11-06-2014, 10:07 AM
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#1
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2014 360 QL
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: gardendale texas
Posts: 153
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airtabs
I was looking at the motorhome mag, and a article about airtabs and wanting to know if any one has used them?
www.airtab.com
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11-06-2014, 10:21 AM
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#2
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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I installed them on a 2008 Flagstaff 831RLSS and noticed a marked improvement in the stability from semis passing. They are kind of pricey, but they do what they are advertised to do. I put them up both sides and across the roof.
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11-06-2014, 10:28 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Island (Nassau County), NY
Posts: 4,352
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I saw that ad also but you would need to get them painted or they would really stick out and look ugly. Also, they say that you get a 2-5% fuel increase. If you get 10 mpg, for example, and a 3% gain in mileage, that would mean .3 mpg increase. Not sure what the tabs cost, but at .3mpg increase, I think you would need to do a lot of driving to break even.
JMHO
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Tom and Margaret
2014 Berkshire 390bh-60
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11-06-2014, 10:41 AM
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#4
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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I know of very few mods done on rv's that give any return on the money invested. In fact, can't think of any. 
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11-06-2014, 02:31 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Cut Off, La.
Posts: 1,830
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Don't buy into the hype. If these things really worked every 18 wheeler would have them. I travel a whole lot and have never seen these things on anything.
Not saying they are not out there, just saying I haven't seen any.
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2013 Berkshire 390BH
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11-06-2014, 02:56 PM
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#6
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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I didn't buy them for fuel mileage, I bought them to reduce the backwash from semis AND THEY WORK!
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11-06-2014, 03:28 PM
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#7
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Retired
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 250
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
I bought them to reduce the backwash from semis AND THEY WORK!
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I read something from another guy that has them who said the same thing plus the rear of his trailer is cleaner from lessened vacuum effect.
That would suck trying to draft you guys! (no pun intended) 
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2014 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 LTZ CCLB DRW D/A - Rancher Grille Guard - Transfer flow 40 gallon Toolbox/Tank Combo - Line X - Edge Insight
2015 Palomino Sabre 33CKTS - Platinum Edition - Progressive Industries EMS HW50C - JT Strong Arm Stabilizers - Ground Control 3.0 - 320 Watt Solar with 2000 Watt Inverter
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11-06-2014, 05:10 PM
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#8
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2014 360 QL
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: gardendale texas
Posts: 153
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that is what iam after, the handling, don't care about the MPG
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11-06-2014, 05:27 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Ontario
Posts: 1,177
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Oldcoot how are these attached? stick-on or screwed?
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2014 Forester 3051s
2016 Nissan Pathfinder SL
2012 Sonic toad
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11-06-2014, 05:57 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: On Another Adventure
Posts: 2,563
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I don't care what you say - those things are butt ugly.....
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
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11-06-2014, 06:00 PM
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#11
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jfrauts
Oldcoot how are these attached? stick-on or screwed?
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They are stick on.
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11-06-2014, 06:01 PM
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#12
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ernest917
I don't care what you say - those things are butt ugly...
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Don't recall reading anywhere proclaiming they were pretty, just functional.
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11-06-2014, 06:04 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: On Another Adventure
Posts: 2,563
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Just making an observation - it's still ok to do that isn't it.... If they're what you need so be it....
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
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11-06-2014, 06:08 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,460
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
I installed them on a 2008 Flagstaff 831RLSS and noticed a marked improvement in the stability from semis passing. They are kind of pricey, but they do what they are advertised to do. I put them up both sides and across the roof.
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So....does your current rig have them or why not if they were so great on the 2008 ????
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11-06-2014, 06:10 PM
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#15
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Infractee
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 796
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Do they have any windtunnel test data to back up their claims? Almost look like some sort of drag inducing device?
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11-06-2014, 06:10 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,440
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I am pulling a billboard and all of my towing is on the interstate and semi's don't push me around. Guess it is the heavy truck.
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2012 Wildcat 344QB
06 LBZ ,CC 4x
lots of mods
Superglide
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11-06-2014, 06:24 PM
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#17
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heavynlori
So....does your current rig have them or why not if they were so great on the 2008 ????
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Not on the 5er, because there is a world of difference between the tongue trailer and the 5er. If we had bought another tt, I would have put them on it.
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11-08-2014, 03:14 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Home is where I park it
Posts: 1,503
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Campin Cajun
Don't buy into the hype. If these things really worked every 18 wheeler would have them. I travel a whole lot and have never seen these things on anything.
Not saying they are not out there, just saying I haven't seen any.
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Cajun, what do you think those "wings" on the bottom of 53 foot trailers hanging almost to the ground are for?? Yep, fuel economy. Same way with those weird looking "contraptions" on the REAR of some trailers.
'twouldn't surprise me a bit to find that airtabs might help quite a bit.
Boowho??
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11-08-2014, 03:18 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Home is where I park it
Posts: 1,503
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RhoZeta
Do they have any windtunnel test data to back up their claims? Almost look like some sort of drag inducing device?
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Aerodynamics can be a strange thing.... Don't know about these things, but I can tell you that the big truck outfits wouldn't put all that crap on their rigs if it didn't help. It's all about return on investment.
Boowho??
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11-08-2014, 03:26 PM
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#20
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Infractee
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 796
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boowho
Cajun, what do you think those "wings" on the bottom of 53 foot trailers hanging almost to the ground are for?? Yep, fuel economy. Same way with those weird looking "contraptions" on the REAR of some trailers.
'twouldn't surprise me a bit to find that airtabs might help quite a bit.
Boowho??
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These are two entirely different concepts, completely.
The skirts under the trailers help reduce drag by keeping a lot of air out from under it, the panels at the back enhance the airs ability to easily glide past the trailer instead of creating turbulence and drag.
The items that the OP has shown will do neither, they will induce drag, which helps to stabilize the trailer, in theory... this is all very basic aerodynamics, nothing magical or mysterious about it.
Would still like to see some test results...
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