October 2005
"When I first heard about Airtabs I was skeptical. Then I checked your website and read the testimonials. For a couple hundred dollar investment, and diesel at 3 bucks, I had to try them myself. The installation was as easy as advertised, I did my whole tractor in about 45 minutes. Then I hooked up my trailer and headed down the road. I couldn't believe the difference! The increase in stability and the lane tracking in gusty conditions is noticeably improved. As for a mileage increase, it's hard to tell because of the ever-changing loads and routes I take. I can tell the mileage and top-of-the-hill speed is better but it would be tough to document. I would strongly recommend that all trucks use Airtabs. Thanks, Airtabs!"

Karl S.
Grove City, OH

October 2005
Hi Ron:

We are both most impressed with the AIRTABS. Stability and smoothness of drive were markedly better. Even in wind conditions or when passing big 18 wheelers, where the CRV shook and moved before, it was as steady as a rock with the AIR TABS on. Also we were getting 485-500 km ( 301 - 310 miles) to a tankful of gas on the highway. Our most effecient recollection from before, and we have over 155,000 km ( 96,255 miles), was squeezing maybe 450 km ( 279 miles) out of a tank. This 7- 10 % saving on fuel is awesome! Thanks for putting the AIR TABS on. We are already getting questions from curious family members and neighbours. Cheers.

Ken

October 2005
Jack,

Let's see, I got these about mid-August? And it's now October - oh, my.

I installed the Airtabs just before taking the trip to Skowhegan, Maine (about 500+/- miles) - and while I cannot substantiate any improvement in mileage, the stability alone is worth the cost. There have been unsolicited comments about this; wondering what I changed on the truck to make towing smoother. Visibility seems improved also - spray from the roadway seems to "tuck in" closer to the vehicle, allowing me to see more clearly the cars following (usually too close).

I've taken many shorter trips of 100+/- miles and observed the above on all of them.

Installation was a breeze - the hardest part was finding I didn't have a good cleaner/degreaser at home when I needed it. There was some frustration when placing them on the extruded sections; the wavy surface meant less than 50% of the adhesive made contact. That was easily fixed by using some clear silicone around the edges to ensure secure adhesion.

I leave in about an hour, heading to North Carolina - at night; in the rain; with a full load. Then, next week, it's off to Fort Worth. Between those two, I should get some more Interstate mileage info.

I have told numerous acquaintances at horse shows about this product; and they all own trailers...:)

Consider me a very satisfied customer.

James G

Mexico, NY

September 28, 2005


I installed my order of Air Tabs about two and a half weeks ago just before heading back home to Thomasville, GA. When I left I had about 30
city miles on that tank of diesel. At 170 miles, the fuel gauge was only down to 3/4 when usually it would be about 3/8 to 1/2.
Thinking there might be a problem, I stopped and filled the tank.....13.35 mpg. I've never seen anything over 12.1 and that was only
once as I recall. Most generally, the fuel efficiency on the Columbus, GA to Thomasville, GA run is 10.01 to 10.9 MPG.
The next week I got 12.25 MPG with about 50 city miles on the tank.
I'll fill the tank later this week and let you know how it's doing.
Yes, the truck handles differently on the highway. There is less influence from passing big traffic and the tail plume is greatly reduced.
I still need to install a cab deflector to reduce the frontal surface loading. So, with the only difference being the installation of the AirTabs, I am realizing an improved fuel economy.

--
Stephen R.
Chief Engineer
Columbus, GA

July 2005

Hello this is Jack H,

I recently purchased a set of Airtabs for my 1998 century class freightliner. My truck would not handle well in strong winds, until I installed air tabs, now my truck is more stable in strong cross winds or just severe weather conditions. You can really tell the difference thank you air tabs. Thank you

Airtab Note:Jack is a flat bed operator.

http://kenworthallrig.e-newsletter.com.au/link/id/90bfb72c520db9ee42e7/page.html#4d43e65f5dc0b90296c0

Aerodynamics beat rising fuel costs

And improve stability and visibility

Specialist fleet operator Displayco is a designer and manufacturer of display and advertising materials that handles its own distribution via a fleet of seven rigid pan techs, mainly on the Melbourne-Sydney and Sydney-Brisbane routes. Their first trials of Airtabs in 2000, showed a fuel consumption improvement of 2.7% and that "was enough for me to make the decision to fit-out our fleet then and there," said Denis Walker, Managing Director. "But to be honest now that we've used Airtabs for some years, the big improvement in stability at highway speeds, the better rearward visibility in the wet and the cleaner tail lifts would have been good enough reasons themselves to take on Airtabs."

Airtabs are small plastic or vinyl vortex generators that fit around the trailing edge of the typically square and flat back of a truck or tailer. The Airtab product assists with turbulence and drag by addressing basic aerodynamic theory.

Chris Binks (pictured above) was sceptical at first but kept an open mind.

Chris Binks drives for Ballarat Refrigerated Transport from Melbourne to North Queensland, and Melbourne to Brisbane fortnightly. His refrigerated B-Double has had Airtabs since 2000. Chris was due for replacement trailers in July 2004, so a trial proposal was formulated where Chris would run the new trailers for three months without Airtabs, and then with, recording fuel consumption thoroughly. The results showed a 2.4% decrease in fuel consumption. "I wasn't surprised at all," said Chris. "I was relieved to be back to running with Airtabs and immediately noticed the reduced effort in driving. The trailers weren't 'waddling', I wasn't fighting the effect especially in cross winds and I was spending far less time cleaning, particularly the B-trailer fridge motor in the gap."

Denis from Displayco also speaks from experience as it's not unusual for him to be behind the wheel on the Hume or Pacific Highways. "Cross winds in particular can really make driving our pans a tough task and reducing that turbulence at the rear makes the driving far more comfortable. I also like the way we can see clearly behind us in the wet instead of dealing with that swirling mass of grimy spray. I can't understand why anyone wouldn't fit Airtabs if they're doing highway work. I look at them now as safety devices that also pay back real money."

With fuel prices rocketing, it's apparent this is food for thought for all truck operators.

(Airtab - taken from the kenworthallrig website)

September 2005

Dear Jack,

Enclosed are a couple of photos of my tractor with your Airtabs installed. Sorry, but my pictures were more about the boats than about my tractor.

I used your Airtabs on my tractor hauling boats coast to coast. It would have been difficult for me to say exactly if I in fact saw 6% savings in fuel. My loads varied so much and with weather and winds and going up hill on the west trip and basically down hill on the east trip it would have been very difficult to accurately calculate. However one thing that I immediately noticed after I installed your Airtabs was that I went "Straight down the road" . I was so noticeable that I commented to several of my driver colleagues how easy it was to drive my rig as I was really going straight down the road.

Moreover, one could analyze that I were going straight down the road and also getting less dirt build up on the back of my tractor that the Airtabs were in fact directing that air turbulence down the side of my boats and I was going through the air much more smoothly and therefore getting better fuel mileage.

I have taken the "wings" and overcab air foil off but will be replacing the Airtabs on the tractor and adding Airtabs to our 5th wheel RV when we start doing some serious travel next year.
(Airtab, LLC note to this statement. Richard is retiring and will be using his tractor to pull his 5th wheel RV. He wants to decrease the frontal pressure by removing the overcab airfoil.)

Richard K.
Fredericksburg, TX

Jack,

I thought I would let you know that I have operated my jet powered ambulance several times at or above 195 mph with your Airtab product attached to the roof and sides of the vehicle. They stayed on! In the picture you will notice I have only a few on the sides of the jet ambulance. Because of the decal painting on the side I may wait until the season ends to cover the remainder of the sides.

Pat
Davidson Racing
Upton, MA

Jack,
As you know I run an NHRA / IHRA Funny car at speeds of 250 MPH and higher. I took the attached pictures at the track this weekend (August 20, 2005) after a 250 mph run ... as you can see they're doing just fine! Despite the compound curves of my cars roof the Airtabs stuck just fine with no problem. I've done several runs now with the Airtabs, some at well over 250 mph. If anyone has any doubts as to how well they will stay put I think these results speak for themselves. Thank you for your great product, your installation tool makes putting them on simple. I can't wait to add them to my hauler and trailer.

C. G.
Brunswick, Me.

July 26, 2005

I'd like to take a moment to explain how my Airtab experience went. I have a 38' Endeavor Diesel 1998 was getting about 9.5 mpg in the Ga. mountains with the generator running all the time. I wanted to increase the mpg so I did some research and found Airtabs. They were a lot of fun to install and I ended up putting them on everything that might have created drag. Air conditioners, solar panels, kayaks, and all around the rear end. The first time I took it out after installing them it felt better with the cross winds and trucks going by. However, I didn't say anything to my wife or kids about how it felt. After about 50 miles my wife asks if it feels different to me because she felt that it made a huge difference when the trucks go by and that the cross wind had little effect. Funny thing is the kids agreed also. I have noticed that the transmission does not down shift as often and my down hill speeds have increased. My mpg have gone up to about 11 mpg but that is hard to figure because of the generator use. The tabs take paint nicely and don't look all that bad after you paint them to match the surrounding body. Keep up the good work,I'll be ordering more to stick on my forehead so I can go faster on my bike at the camp grounds.

Don B.

Norcross, GA 30093

My name is Jeff and I own and operate COBRA , I have a 1998 KW T-2000 and run a 600 hp CAT engine, 13 speed transmission with 3:55 ratio rears on 22.5 low pro rubber, and pull a 2001 53’ monon air ride trailer. Tire pressures are kept at 106 psi. drive and steer, and the trailer at 109 psi. I also run 100% synthetic oil.I run a 42 to 48 inch tractor-trailer gap.

I purchased my airtabs in November 2004.

First let me say I love my airtabs they have many fuel savings as well as looks for appeal and the improved stability in high cross winds as well as any weather conditions for looking in your mirrors it improves visibility for behind your trailer.

I found after the airtabs we’re put on .4 to a .7(fill to fill) increase per gallon (6.4 to 6.7mpg) after just adding them first to the trailer alone. This was a regular run out west MI to UT then to OR grossing at or around 80,000lbs.

The visibility was greatly improved for seeing in my mirrors in high blowing rain, snow blowing, its clearly a needed safety item that every trailer should have on it this day and age.

You’ll find your back doors of you trailer will stay cleaner from the snow, rain, ect.

I found it all but eliminated the wagging of the tail of my trailer in high cross winds, because I run plastic plate on my fifth-wheel , and usually the axles are slide all the way forward. To save fuel as well, I had felt like I had put a tail stabilizer on it was like driving a new truck trailer.

The install was very easy just use soap and water, if wax is on your vehicle you’ll want to remove with a lacquer thinner wipe the surface clean of bugs grease chalky paint possible buff it real quick with low abrasive buffing compound found at any automotive store, peel off the backing then place in the installers tool that comes with your airtabs kit use a good eye and tape measure with a pencil mark to start the placing of your airtabs its that easy, you have fun putting them on. I think we all love stickers as a kid and as adult!!

THANKS

Jeff / COBRA

April 7, 2004 Yoda writes.....(his trailer did not have the top done yet)

I have only had the tabs installed for 5 days, But would like to report the following.

The first day I drove in high (gusts to 35 mph) winds, (North Carolina),I was very pleased to notice that the wind did not knock me around on the road at all!

We normally haul light loads, and wind is very hard on us! I am really satisfied that the effects of the tabs in wind is reason enough alone for the people I know to install them!

Next I want to talk about fuel economy and power! I have a 470 HP caterpillar.I have not yet got enough miles on the tabs to give you fuel savings figures, but there is a definite change! My turbo boost gauge was constantly reading 5 pounds less than I was used to seeing while running on cruise control! I have 900,000 miles on this truck and am very familiar with how it handles, I felt like my engine had developed extra power and was at first forced to use cruise control to keep from going faster than I wanted due to the truck running so much better than I expected!

From the 2 fills I have done since installing the tabs I see a noticeable reduction in fuel used. Give me a month to get all the averages and eliminate the odd good or bad fuel mileage and I will give you real numbers,But so far I have been pleasantly surprised as I did not expect a great difference. I am actually buying less fuel on known routes!

With the cost of fuel going through the roof again any fuel savings is worth having, but for a 379 Pete to have what looks like a half mile a gallon increase is worth dancing in the streets about!

Many people wondered at my investment in a full roof wind fairing, and I only expected 2 tenths of a mile a gallon savings! These Airtabs™ may make the difference between survival and bankruptcy for some people, and for such a small investment! ( the fairing is 2 grand installed although I got mine used and installed it after market at some savings!) If anyone wants to laugh at me for those strange looking things I have installed on my truck and trailer, I will laugh quietly all the way to the bank!


Rusty (yoda) Wade

========

April 21, 2004 Yoda writes after Airtabs™ installed on trailer roof. He now has complete set on tractor and trailer.

Hello Jack, Yes I finally got to drive in some rain. I was very impressed.
I also have 2 weeks preliminary fuel use data, and I am wondering if anyone else sees what I am seeing!

My average fuel consumption on cruise control before the tabs was 6.3 MPG..... My average for the last 2 weeks is 6.9MPG... much more than I expected...... Thank you for your product, I am waiting for Marvin to finally get his installed to see if his figures are near to mine, I already know he will be impressed by both the handling and the visibility aspects,but that fuel MPG gain is very very welcome in today's fuel market!

Rusty

========

July 15, 2004 Yoda provides a Airtab® update.

"My fuel mileage is still up by half a mile a gallon.... Visibility is still remarkable in rain, I am waiting for some snow to test."

========

Jan 2005 Update.

I love my airtabs.. And now with snow flying I really love them!
Increased vision behind... less snow build up everywhere above the lowest tab... These things can be worth the cost of the tabs!
They certainly were a few weeks ago, and again this week as I ran in the snow and was able to see behind me when no one else could!
A few weeks ago I had snow packed into my DOT bumper until the back of my trailer was even all the way up to the bottom of my tail light assembly... snow packed into the space between the DOT bumper and closed that hole completely.. BUT the most interesting thing was that my LED tail lights recessed 1 inch above that hole were clear of snow!
I had worried that the not warm LED lights would be completely covered in snow, I should have known better.
The snow which did not rise between my tractor and trailer and did not rise above the bottom of my trailer at the rear did not even settle on the back of my trailer where the LEDs are! I will continue to check those lights, as I always have. ( even bulb lights sometimes were buried in snow) but it sure does seem safer to me that the LEDS are not behind snow that doesn't even rise enough to settle on the ledge in front of them.
Thank you Jack for these little plastic wonders!
Rusty (Yoda)

Airtab, LLC official statement regarding the LED snow build mentioned by Rusty is as follows.
Aeroserve Technologies Limited and Airtab, LLC make no representation that the product known as Airtab® will keep the LED lights, incandescent lights or any other trailer tail lights or reflectors on the rear of the trailer clean or free from snow or ice build up. It is up to the operator of the vehicle to maintain and inspect their rear lights for correct operation and visibility in accordance with their operating manual and driving conditions.
Aeroserve Technologies Limited
Airtab, LLC

Gerry W.
Senior Driver (36 Yrs.)

Brico Transportation
Barrie, Ontario
Canada

We made the trip from Myrtle Beach, S.C. to Yosemite National Park okay. I had varied results on fuel mileage during the 3000 mile trip. With my unit, a 2004 Alfa See Ya with the 330 CAT engine, I got anywhere from 7.6 to 9.5 mpg. My fuel mileage prior to the installation of the Airtabs™ was between 7.6 and about 8.0...

Probably the best thing was when we went through some rain in Texas, the view behind us was very clear, so the Airtabs™ definitely improved rear vision for us. The vehicles all around us were putting up mist like crazy and ours was not.

Ira Reynolds

RV Driver.

The first time I drove my truck after installing Airtabs™ , I noticed a dramatic improvement. This improvement was noted in the truck's handling.
Previously, when a semi would pass me, it would pull me towards it and then push me away from it. I was constantly steering to keep my truck straight.
Now, 95% of the turbulance from semis has been eliminated. Two days ago in the late evening while in Illinois, I experienced strong crosswinds from thunderstorms. I was amazed at my ability to keep my truck in my lane easily. I also was able to see clearly in my mirrors through the rain at what was happening in the rear of the vehicle. The spray was going straight back, not out to the sides! Previously, I would get 1000 miles on a 100 gallon fillup. The last two fillups I noticed 1100 miles to each fillup. I love the increase in fuel mileage & reduced stress on my engine, but would buy Airtabs™ for the handling & increased visibility alone.

Thank You Airtab,
John Skinner

Received February 7, 2006

Jack,

I've noticed that since my 2004 International is fast approaching 300,000 miles, the rear tires are showing almost no wear. When I first purchased the 2004 International I had it aligned and also installed balance Masters. At 40,000 miles I found out about and installed Airtabs. Although the Balance Masters and alighnment are suppose to make tires last longer, I believe that the stabilation provided by Airtabs is a major determining factor in making the GoodYear 362 22.5 rear tires last as long as they have.

I also have a 2006 International straight truck with 60,000 miles on it. I installed AirTabs on it before I put it to work. I also had it aligned and
installed Balance Masters before the truck went to work. The 2006 International show no tire wear at all.

John Skinner

ps. I am meticulous about checking tire pressure which may also help tires last longer.

Peter C. , veteran driver of 35 years operating out of Binghamton, New York says "I think they are worth it just for the stability. I noticed less drag immediately. During my first trip along the NY #17 that follows the Susquehanna River, lots of curves, I ran into the leading edge of a group of thunderstorms... so the wind was gusting from all directions. With the Airtabs™ the rig handled as stable as a rock. I am monitoring my fuel mileage and so far there is an indication that I am seeing savings. I will report again later when I collect more data"

Airtab, LLC would like to point out the row of Airtab® on his wing located on top of his tractor.

Hi Ron. Just got back from the trip and had a wonderful trip the Airtabs™ worked great got about one mile to the gallon better than before with the handling in the wind was great and the truck buffing when they past from behind and when passing other trucks was great. made driving much better.

R. C.
Eugene, OR

Jack, first off let me say WOW, I purchased this 1999 Volvo VN610 in November of 1998. After installing Airtabs™ last week, my truck has never handled any better. The best way to describe it is its like having a Tail Wind every where I drive. My truck and Trailer handle better in windy or no windy conditions. And in the Rain what a difference, I could see better out the back of the unit than I could out the front. I am enclosing Picture of the installation of the Airtabs™ , Installation was easy and only took about 1 hr 45 min to do both tractor and trailer. I don’t have any fuel savings data yet as they have only been on my truck for about 1 tank of fuel, but will let you know in my next letter. This product is probably one of the easiest to use and like I said has improved the handling of my vehicle immensely.

Thank you,

Hershey Bar

Boxon City Trailer- Volvo FM 7 , 290 HP

"When we got the truck in October 1999, it was very wobbly to drive in windy conditions and when passing other trucks- it was just tiring to drive.
After 2 weeks, the Airtabs™ representative came and offered a solution to the problem by installing Airtabs™ on the truck and trailer.
Following day, I took the truck for my daily route and it was a completely different truck. Stable in crosswind and when passing. On the fuel computer I saw a reduction in fuel consumption from 3.2 litres per 10 km to 2.9 litres per 10 km at highway speeds. The truck also stays cleaner for a longer time. There are obviously great forces in these small Airtabs™ ."

Göran Lövdahl, 43 years old, truck driver for 21 years.

Göran works for the Jale Truck Company in Mora, Sweden and drives a Scania 124 400 HP

"It's surprising how great an effect these little plastic bits have.
The truck goes like it is on rails in a crosswind and when passing, much more stable now. In rain, the view behind is also now much better, thanks to Airtabs™ . It appears that the rain spray behind the vehicle is reduced."

Leif Erlandsson, part-owner of the Jale Company.