In two weeks time we added the ATDynamics Trident Trailer Tail and the Bolt Custom Trucks Flirt Skirts.   We have been running the Smart Truck system and now it is time to test it against this configuration.  We left the top part of Smart Truck on the box and removed the sides to install the Trailer Tail. 
 
The Flirt Skirts work like the belly boxes on a bus and will be easy to rise while in parked at a truck stop in between trailers.  We will add more toolboxes to the rear of the truck behind the skirts as time goes on.  The Skirts are easy to open to get into exiting toolboxes as well as to check the tires.
 
We run a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that monitors the tire pressure and the temperature of the tires.  Questions have been asked what will happen if we have a blow out?  My answer "It will cause a mess".  With the TST TPMS system we run it will be difficult to run a tire low that would cause a blow out.  If we run over something that big on the interstate it will probably tear up the skirts as well as the tires.
 
The skirts are low and we will have to pay even more attention to docks, curbs, and anything in the road.  There are a lot of if's that will have to be answered over time such as how will snow affect our weight and the skirts?   Will the skirts hold in heat and affect our disc brakes?  Time will tell and as always we will be giving feedback to Bolt Custom Trucks about the performance of the skirts and our fuel mileage.
 
The ATDynamics Trident Trailer Tail is very easy to open and to close. We like the open bottom as snow will fall through and not accumulate on the bottom panel.  We have LED lights and snow build up can be a problem. Each time we stop we clean off the lenses as snow can build up in this are due to the bulbs not producing any heat.
 
The interstate is full of trailers that are inches off of the road surface and they are able to traverse the countryside safely with very heavy loads.   We have seen what happens when they do not read the road surface right and have to have a crane or tow truck come in and move them to the side or get them past a hump in the road.  I am glad we have more options to this problem.  We can always lift the skirts if we have to go over a curb or we hump, we can also lift them if going into a steep dock, which we do not do often. 
 
We will document very carefully our fuel mileage to see what kind of change we will receive and if it is worth the effort. 


 

Comments (9)

Linda Caffee

Bob and Linda started their driver careers after their children left home for college in 2000. Bob started as a driver for a large motor carrier with Linda as a rider. They decided to enter the Expedite industry as team drivers in 2005 and purchased their first Freightliner. Both, Bob and Linda have had their Class A licenses since the early 80's starting out driving in the oil field and hauling grain as fill in drivers where Bob worked as a diesel mechanic. Linda worked at the local country courthouse in data processing.

Read These Next...

TRUCK Smart

TRUCK Smart

TRUCK Smart

Saved By Technology

December 17, 2014

 
 

This year we have also added Auto Socks so that if we are in California and need to get to a safe place to park we can use both the chains on the drive axle and the auto socks on the liftable.

September 25, 2016 4:56:55 AM

Kurt we have OnSpot Auto Chains on the drive axle and the skirts will not affect their operation. If we were to have to chain the pusher axle it is very easy to get to. Still not sure how all of this will work in very deep snow and going down the road, getting into a parking spot, or a dock. This is a real world test to see how the skirts will work and how they might need to be tweaked.

May 30, 2015 7:27:14 AM

What about snow chains with those skirts?

May 29, 2015 19:30:49 PM

I am looking forward to reporting on the experiment and so far the results look very good.

May 29, 2015 6:03:24 AM

I'm glad to see people experimenting, everyone's curious to see the benefits

May 28, 2015 22:42:06 PM

Lifting those skirts was one of the reasons this project took so long to get right. So far everything is looking really good and holding together. Really cannot wait to see what kind of fuel numbers she will throw.

May 27, 2015 11:52:07 AM

Bob and Linda,
This is a very nice looking truck, very futuristic. Keep us updated on the benefits. I really like the way the side skirts open to allow access.

May 27, 2015 8:17:43 AM

Jeff this is a Trident Trailer Tail and they are on a many of the bigger trucking companies trailers. It is also a comparison to what we had before.

May 27, 2015 5:58:01 AM

It looks cool. I am curious. Your tail does not have the bottom section, like you see on trailers. Professor Bob must have some reason. What is it?

May 27, 2015 5:39:30 AM