Michelin North America is launching a first for the company. The Smartway-verified Michelin Energy Guard aerodynamic trailer solution kit is designed to improve fuel economy, for use on 53' dry-van truck load, refrigerated truck load and other long-haul and super-regional applications.
With the biggest drag on fuel efficiency occurring at 65 miles per hour, fleets and owner-operators look for aerodynamic solutions that cut fuel costs but do not increase maintenance costs, nor require driver attention and costly repairs. Michelin Energy Guard is an easy-to-use, fuel-efficient and aerodynamic solution. Consisting of a resilient trailer skirt, trailer-end fairings, aerodynamic mud flaps and a wake reducer, the integrated kit eliminates the need for “boat tails” or combining elements from various vendors.
“Fleets can be frustrated with the current market solutions for fuel savings as they strive to improve their margins and competitiveness,” said Adam Murphy, vice president, B2B marketing, Michelin North America. “Our Michelin Energy Guard solution can result in a 7.4 percent fuel savings. Best of all, it requires no driver interaction in order to achieve these impressive results.”
Details of kit
Energy Guard is aimed to help fleets reduce fuel consumption without increasing maintenance expenses. The fully-integrated Energy Guard kit is made up of five components, and features several innovations with its patent-pending design.
- Resilient trailer skirt. The skirt is fully flexible, both inward and outward. Its advanced technology enables coverage and stiffness without sacrificing durability. The skirt’s flexible design folds out of the way if it strikes an obstacle or debris.
- Patent pending bracket and slider. The bracket and slider reinforces the skirt, and the spring-action reduces skirt damage and reduce maintenance costs.
- Aerodynamic mud flaps. Designed to reduce vehicle drag and road spray, these mud flaps feature patent-pending angled and progressive louvers.
- Innovative wake reducer. The wake reducer minimizes the effect of the recirculation zone behind the trailer. The wake reducer increases pressure on the back of the trailer and reduces drag, while still all allowing the driver to fully open the trailer door.
- Drag-reducing trailer end fairings. Designed for the top and side of the trailer, the trailer end fairings direct airflow to the back of the trailer to assist with reducing drag even more.
The trailer end fairings and wake reducer are automatically functioning, always activated requiring no driver actions.
All five pieces of the kit add a total 280 lbs to the trailer. Components are designed to be used as a full package for proven fuel savings. The Energy Guard kits will be available June 1.
