Rocketail, makers of aerodynamic tail systems for semi-trailers, recently launched Rocketail Wing, which the company calls “next-generation rear drag reduction technology for trailers.”
The patented Rocketail system, which is EPA SmartWay verified, is rear fairing technology for heavy-duty truck trailers that has exhibited a certified fuel efficiency improvement of more than 3.58 gallons per 1,000 miles.
“Rocketail solves the ‘Three Ds’ essential to performance for any aerodynamic tail system: drag, deployment and damage,” said Michael Militello, CEO at Rocketail. “Our Rocketail Wing is integrated with the trailer door, so it’s always deployed, it extends a mere 14 inches from the rear of the trailer eliminating a main cause of rear collision damage in current tail systems, and it delivers proven drag-reducing performance.”
Featuring a jet wing design, the one-piece airfoil was certified by MVT Solutions to provide a fuel economy improvement of 3.36% and by PIT Group to improve fuel efficiency by 3.30% in testing, Rocketail said.
Constructed of lightweight high-impact, gas-infused polymers that are internally cross-braced, the wing-shaped airfoil has a compact footprint with no additional external or internal moving parts. It extends only 14 inches from the rear of the trailer, compared to as much as 4 feet for other rear-drag solutions on the market.
The Rocketail Wing is always deployed using swing hinges that lock the wings in their maximum aerodynamic open position each time the doors are closed. The system shifts the wings flush with the sides of the trailer each time the doors are opened, allowing the doors to swing a full 270 degrees without being blocked.
Each Rocketail Wing attaches without guy-wires or struts with two industrial-grade, stainless steel hinges. Installation, requiring only drill bits and tightening tools, takes two people about one hour to complete, the company said. Each wing weighs less than 25 pounds and requires “minimal to no annual maintenance.”
“Rocketail is maximally effective because its multi-element airfoil design has unique patented features that smooth and redirect rearward airflow behind a trailer while producing forward lift, similar to a wing on a jet aircraft,” Militello said.
“Additionally, placing the device 1 inch away from the trailer wall avoids having the boundary air layer interact with higher volume, more uniform airflow. These two design features enable Rocketail to have a profile that’s 50% to 80% smaller than competitive designs.”
