Airtab® FAQ's: Airtab

Will Airtabs stick to the EPDM (rubber) roofs on RVs?

Yes. We have over 1000 Installations on EPDM roofs. If the roof has any wrinkle, ripple or other surface irregularities, you should ask for our "Kemlite" Airtab. This is a regular white Airtab with a 1/32" foam tape tha...More

Has NASA ever tested the product called Airtab® manufactured by Aeroserve Technology?

NASA tested the basic shape that is used by Airtab®. They found them to be
the lowest drag vortex generator they had seen. There are several technical
papers written on vortex generators and other drag reducing devic...More

How is an Airtab® attached to the truck and trailer?

Double sided adhesive tape for most applications and for those vehicles with slightly uneven sides where tape would not provide a good bond, a polyurethane glue.The tape is Acrylic and has no petroleum products....More

What are they made of and will they take extreme temperatures?

Airtabs™ are made of Styrosun® injection molded plastic. Thousands of Airtabs have now been in service for several years in Australia, South Africa, Europe and in North America from Florida to Alaska (winter & summer ope...More

What are the ideal installation conditions?

Airtabs™ should be installed with the surface temperature of the vehicle +40°F (+5 °C) or warmer. All surfaces must be dry, clean of all contaminants and cleaning solvents. Simply put, the cleaner, dryer and warmer the b...More

What colour is an Airtab® ?

White and Black are the basic colours, although for large orders we can colour match in the injection molding. ...More

How many do I need?

Measure the sides and the roof of the Vehicle at the back. They are placed 3 per running foot (4” inches on center) spaced as shown in the Install Guide...More

Can they placed farther apart than 4" - I have some unequally spaced ribs on my trailer.

Placing them closer together than 4" causes some slight interference, and obviously requires more Airtabs™ . Much as we'd like to sell more, closer spacing is counterproductive....More

Can they be painted?

Yes, in accordance with the specification of the paint you have chosen. Some paints such as Krylon Fusion from Sherwin Williams is made specifically for Plastic and does not require a primer. ...More

Does the Airtab® tape have any petroleum in it?

No the tape is an acrylic base. ...More

I am going to put Airtabs™ on my tractor and trailer after I have it painted. How long should I wait before I may attach the Airtabs™?

I would check with the painter and read the paint specification. Once the
painter or manufacturer says the paint is cured you can apply them. ...More

Do the Airtabs™ have to be painted prior to being fitted?

Not necessary, but installed prior to painting the vehicle, they will blend in even better. ...More

How long does it take to fit a truck and regular trailer?

You can install the Airtabs™ yourself. If its your first install expect to spend an hour or so, reading instructions and getting familiar with the placement. For subsequent installs we estimate about 20-30 minutes for a ...More

What tools are required to fit a truck and trailer?

• Sufficient Airtabs™, spacing templates, tape measure and masking tape.
• Automotive soap & water, degreaser (if necessary), rubbing alcohol, Varsol or any paint thinner. Do not use Windex and other glass cleaners.
• Su...More

Will the Airtabs™have any effect on drag reduction with a tractor-trailer gap less than 18 inches?

Airtabs™ are particularly effective in cross wind conditions as they help minimize the flow of air across the gap to the "downwind" side of the trailer. If there is a measurable wind, inherently crosswinds will be a fact...More

How close to the back of the tractor or trailer?

The Airtabs™ should not be placed any farther than 14 inches from the trailing edge of the tractor or trailer. ...More

Is that measured from the Airtab® to the trailer, or from the trailing edge of the tractor to the trailer?

Correct – much farther forward from the back of the tractor (or trailer) and a good deal of the effectiveness is wasted against the vehicle. Place the Airtabs™ within 8 to 10" from the very back of the vehicle. The dista...More

Is it true that the vertical separation of each Airtab® can not be closer than 4 inches (point to point) and no farther apart than 6 inches?

There is no maximum distance apart, but prudence would dictate about 5-6". If we need, say 75 at 4" on center to have a 3% improvement in fuel economy effect at the back of a trailer, spacing them at 8" on center would p...More

How far apart should Airtabs be mounted?

For maximum performance, Airtabs should be mounted 4 inches on center. They should not be mounted any closer than 4 inches as their vortices begin to interfere with each other. Spacing them further apart to avoid obsta...More

Would you recommend putting Airtabs™ on the top of the Air-conditioning units on top of my RV?

Yes, these units stick up into the air flow and cause drag, the Airtabs™ placed three per foor on the top and sides will help reduce this drag. ...More