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03-23-2015, 02:08 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Whitney, Texas
Posts: 181
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use of air tabs
Have been reading about people truck drivers, rvs, etc putting these "v" shaped air tags on trucks and rvs- claim that it makes your rv a lot easier to drive as it dissipates air that blows you around. We are talking wind from trucks and any other kind of head wind or side winds. Also tends to be a very slight ( 2%- 5%) better fuel mileage. A kit runs about $200 and these are attached to rear edges of coach.
Has anyone tried these? If they work as advertised might be a good thing! 
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03-23-2015, 02:09 PM
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#2
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Old coot has
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03-23-2015, 02:27 PM
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#3
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Put them on the back of our 08Flagstaff831RLSS, up both sides and across the top. Didn't notice any mileage change, but it sure stopped the semi's, buses & mhs from buffeting the trailer when the passed us.
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03-24-2015, 08:20 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Whitney, Texas
Posts: 181
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OK might just have to try them would make driving that much easier.
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03-25-2015, 10:30 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Beaver Township, MI
Posts: 66
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I see why it didn't improve your mileage, you missed a spot.
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03-25-2015, 03:38 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sulphur Springs, TX
Posts: 40
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Question remains...... Think they would help with the wind on a FR3???
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Phil & Carla Kenley
2014 Rockwood ROO 21ss
2013 Ford 150 Platinum Crew Cab
(Looking at the Georgetown 329DS)
Nights camped in 2011/16; 2012/15; 2013/48;
2014/10; 2015/101 2016/55 yr to date
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03-25-2015, 03:48 PM
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#7
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Well, I guess you will just have to do what I did, "you spend your bucks and you takes your chances." All I can do is tell you what I experienced. I didn't particularly like the looks of them, but if I had a mh and had exhausted everything else to combat sway, I'd sure try them.
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03-25-2015, 03:58 PM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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In case anyone wonders what an airtab is (like me.....I had to look it up), here is the website: Airtab | Aerodynamic Fuel Savers | Welcome
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Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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03-25-2015, 03:59 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Keller, Texas
Posts: 6,090
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Not an engineer,but these tabs almost look to me as increasing drag.
The way they're mounted with the open end of the "Y" facing forward looks like air would be "trapped" as the RV moves forward causing increased drag.
I don't thing such a device would be mounted on aircraft for the purpose of reducing drag.
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03-25-2015, 04:03 PM
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#10
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Do It Yourselfer
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 169
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OC, What are they called and where did you purchase them?
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2022 Alpha Wolf 26RL-L
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03-25-2015, 04:15 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 B47
Not an engineer,but these tabs almost look to me as increasing drag.
The way they're mounted with the open end of the "Y" facing forward looks like air would be "trapped" as the RV moves forward causing increased drag.
I don't thing such a device would be mounted on aircraft for the purpose of reducing drag.
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They weren't designed for aircraft.
From Air Tab: Application Notes and Considerations
Please Read the Following Installation Notes and Cautions Carefully:
ALWAYS read the installation instructions included with your order BEFORE installing Airtabs™.
Installation Instructions may be viewed here.
Airtabs™ must be installed when the vehicle skin and air temperature is above 40°F (5°C)
Attempting to install Airtabs™ when colder will yield unsatisfactory results.
The point of the AirtabŪ faces toward the back of the vehicle.
The scoop (wide part) of the AirtabŪ faces toward the front of the vehicle
http://www.airtab.com/video-page.htm
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03-25-2015, 04:25 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Keller, Texas
Posts: 6,090
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OC - true about not being for aircraft,but drag,resistance forces,etc don't care if they are moving across an airfoil.RV, or any other moving object. When moving air encounters resistance,drag increases.
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03-25-2015, 04:44 PM
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#13
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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 B47
OC - true about not being for aircraft,but drag,resistance forces,etc don't care if they are moving across an airfoil.RV, or any other moving object. When moving air encounters resistance,drag increases.
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Ok. 
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03-25-2015, 04:55 PM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Interesting concept.
Looks better than a trailer tail:
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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03-25-2015, 05:00 PM
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#15
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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__________________
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03-25-2015, 05:05 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Keller, Texas
Posts: 6,090
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
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Might help a little when you're backing up. 
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03-25-2015, 05:17 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 B47
Might help a little when you're backing up. |
You're hopeless B47 my friend.
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03-25-2015, 05:19 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Central Louisiana
Posts: 93
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They reduce the vacuum on the back for the trailer that is what helps with sway and also keepsake back cleaner. My dad has them on his they do work. MPG remained about the same he said about .25 better
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03-25-2015, 05:20 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Keller, Texas
Posts: 6,090
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
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And the same to you Sir. 
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03-25-2015, 05:24 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 173
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We've been looking at them, too. Here's how they are expected to work-by reducing rear "suction" Airtab | Aerodynamic Fuel Savers | How Airtabs Work
They supposedly take automotive paint, if you want to match them. We've been considering if they would do anything to reduce drag on front of Fifth, if we mounted them around the rear of the quad cab. For that matter, we've even looked at the fifth wings for the cab, which seem less popular than they were some years ago.
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2014 8528 IKWS
Ford F-250 Diesel
Cricket the Cairn and Sally the Terrier Muppet Mix
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