Will air deflector/fairing increase my MPG actually?

Hi Guys,

I have a Callen Camper on the back of my truck (which I daily drive) and I am trying to figure out a couple of things to improve my MPG (I get between 12.5-15 MPG) and range. Will a fairing from the top edge of my windshield up to the top of my roof racks actually improve my mpg? If so what do you guys think the best way to go about this?

Photos of the camper:

DSC_0143[/url] by Matt Sawyer, on Flickr[/IMG]

DSC_0861[/url] by Matt Sawyer, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

I think i get the same mpg with a normal sleek camper... but in theory better aerodynamic will help improve mpg

 

@Sperrunner thanks man! I have a freshly re-built motor and drive like a grandpa, but am hoping to squeeze out a couple more mpgs. When I need extra range I carry 2 (5) gallon jerries, but that is less than ideal...

 

Depends on the type of driving you're doing. For highway, yes a fairing will (help) improve your MPG, but for city driving or off roading, the weight of the camper is your enemy, not the aerodynamics.

That said, the square edge of the back of your camper is also HIGHLY un-aerodynamic because it generates a huge low pressure zone behind you (it's like a giant vacuum pulling backwards on your truck). Get yourself some fairings for the back like you see on trucks no-a-days for even better results...

 

Or get a desiel... jk i mean unless you want too...

 

@jbrandt very true. I am hoping to increase my country road and highway mileage and thinking this could gain me 1 or 2 mpg's...

 

something like this:

http://www.stemco.com/product/trailertail/

...

 

@Sperrunner haha don't tempt me. I had a 97 F350 7.3 and the range and mpgs were nice in comparison to the Tacoma. But it also really liked getting stuck

 

@jbrandt hypermiling in a Tacoma

 

Sad but true, my 02 f350 gets the same mpgs a my Tacoma

 

the front end on the tacoma is your main problem.

 

@tony2018 in the sense that it is directing airflow below the truck? It creates that much drag?

 

Front end of any truck is a problem, so squared. Should check out ecomodders forum for ideas.

 

I have no camper and I get about 15 MPG.

 

Before I got the camper the truck was getting 15 in town and 18 on the hwy (the whole motor has also been rebuilt so that helps MPGS). @tony2018 thanks for the advice!

 

I get 15 mpg highway if I'm going 85mph.

 

You might be better off putting a front air dam on the truck. I don't think a fairing on the roof will make much difference honestly. I also like the rear fairing idea someone else suggested. And I'll ditto the ecomodder.com suggestion; lots of ideas there, lots of folks making their own mods as well.

 

@wdb thanks for the input. I will look into how to put a front damn on the rig!

 

Ever seen those flaps that semis put on the back of their trailers? They swivel out of the way and they angle in to make a cone shape. Probably helps the mileage a little. Not saying it would in your situation but maybe

 

@Xbeaus you and @jbrandt I think are on to something. Not sure how I would go about making one but I will look into it.