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Bypass all this by having an inflatable front and back that auto-inflate to make a pointed front and back when going over 40 mph on a straight road

In the U.S., many tractor trailers have something similar, but they fold out on the back and underneath the trailer to make the rig more aerodynamic.

Example: https://www.fleetequipmentmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03...

I've never seen any fold-out attachments for the front, so there's probably not much to be done there, except for the roof of the cab, which often has a built-in fin/wing/whatever to help air get over the trailer.



Seems like more often than not I see them folded up, not in use. Even with the price of diesel. I wonder how much they save?


They are not allowed in all states/areas. So you might be someplace where they are not allowed, or close enough that there isn't a good place to stop and put them back out. I see them in use all the time, but that is a reflection of where I live.


Maybe 5% at best? Probably less, given that there's always some time spent at lower speeds too.


A flat front isn't a major issue at all - the most aerodynamic shape is roughly a teardrop - and the "front" of a teardrop is mostly flat anyway.

It's the backend and the wake you cause that is the major problem.




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