Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK: Montracon has developed an aerodynamic trailer that gives fuel consumption savings of up to 8% based on initial test results.
This has been achieved without any change to overall height at 4.2m, capacity or load placing flexibility. A trailer is in service with a UK based operator with series production now getting underway.
Tests indicate fuel savings of up to 8% for the standard height van. The aerodynamic features are also available on Montracon reefers
Most of the design features of the new trailer can be applied to Montracon’s reefers, standard height, high-roof versions, and longer 14.6 and 15.65m trailers.
Key to the design is a curved roof, trailer sides that taper 40mm at the back plus the application of a line of vortex generators at the rear edges of the roof and sides. This combination serves to divert the attached air flow from the trailer roof/sides into the immediate trailer wake, so reducing the partial vacuum or base pressure drag (suction) that develops progressively in this location with vehicle speed, to the benefit of fuel economy.
Vortex generators sited at the rear edges of the roof and sides.
Matched to the curved roof is a gently sloping trailer bed (front to rear), the two features coming together to provide the optimum ‘attached flow’ roof profile that appears flat at the front before curving gently down to the rear from about the mid point.
An aerodynamic front bulkhead promotes attached air flow onto the roof, the bulkhead being profiled to provide some tolerance to cater for incorrectly set cab roof deflectors and to minimise turbulence in the cab/trailer gap, especially if incorrectly set.
Aerodynamic side skirts that channel airflow along the trailer sides – away from the underside – complete the aerodynamic envelope.
Paul Mead, Montracon’s sales and marketing director says: “We have been looking at various
designs but decided on this one as it provides all the fuel economy benefits without any operational drawbacks in terms of load capacity or positioning of pallets.”
“Equally, when applied to high roof versions, we would expect savings of approaching 10%,” he says.
