Trailer Life Magazine Open Roads Forum: Air Tabs On A Conversion Van?


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Hit The Road Jack

Treasure Coast of Florida

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Joined: 10/20/2005

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Posted: 08/18/08 10:54am

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No-name Testimony One:

I must say the day they were installed was July 4th, independence day for sure.
I looked every where for a way to get a little more mileage out of my 1995 Chevy G20 sporty shorty-handicapped equipped van but had no luck until I came across your web site. I was impressed enough to take a chance since I had nothing to loose except a few $'s, anyway after my friend David installed the air tabs I went home on interstate to see/feel if I could notice they were installed plus to see if they were going to blow off. Well sir not only did the Air tabs not blow off but I was not getting blown all over the place when the big rigs would come up flying by me and when you drive with only one hand on the wheel and the other on the gas controls it sure make a big difference when you do not have to fight the drafts blowing you all over. In fact I am more rested when I get out of my van then I have ever been.
On a full tank of gas driving the city speed limits and no faster then 60MPH interstate I got 287 Miles per tank. Most of this tank was city driving.
The 2ND thing I noticed going home was that every time I get to these two places on the interstate my van would shift into passing gear twice, but this time it did not and I had it in cruise control.
3RD I bought my van new in 1995 and I never got no more then 287 miles to a tank of gas. I have a 22 gal tank. Yesterday 7/11/08 I filled up and I had 302 miles to that tank of gas. What that 15 more miles per tank. I think this is great, since I do most short driving at 45 to 50 miles an hour and I was sure I would only see a saving at speeds higher then 55MPH. My weekly driving is to work and back home except two times each week I drive the interstate to take my service dog to Winter Park Florida which is 25miles each way.
Thank Air tabs for helping me go more.

Testimony Two:

Jack,

I got the Air Tabs installed but haven't ran them enough to tell if they are going to help. I never had a problem with rainspray so can't tell any difference there. I have noticed that when a 18 wheeler pulls back close in front of me the "buffeting" is reduced. Can still feel it but it is reduced. It is going to be hard to tell on fuel mileage because we idle the van to stay warm or cool when sleeping and waiting. That really messes up my MPG. This year Jan averaged 13.0, Feb 12.6, March 13.4, Apr 13.7, May 14.4, and so far June is 13.6. June has about half with and half without the Air Tabs.Every year April and May and Sept and Oct are the best fuel mileage months mostly because of the weather.

Jim N.
Marshville NC

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What're ya'll thoughts on these Air Tabs?

skipnchar

Topeka Kansas USA

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Joined: 12/17/2003

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Posted: 08/18/08 10:56am

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If this is a commercial be sure to tell them to expect to start seeing savings after the first 100,000 miles. That's about the measuring point used by the truckers.

2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer

We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART

topless

Wichita, KS

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Posted: 08/18/08 12:23pm

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I had a thread about those in here a year or so ago. I decided not to try then because I don't drive my van enough.

sammie14

California

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Joined: 08/17/2007

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Posted: 08/18/08 12:28pm

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I have yet to see Air Tabs on commercial trucks. I wonder why.

baywoodbill

California

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Posted: 08/18/08 12:32pm

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I've read that there is a lot of discussion on airtabs on expediters' forums and there are good reports of those who have used them on the Sprinter-Source.com/forum. Search under vortex generators and airtabs.

Handbasket

Asheville, NC

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Joined: 01/17/2003

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Posted: 08/18/08 12:46pm

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I saw them on a new-gen long, tall Sprinter about 18 months ago near here. It was wearing Fed-Ex markings. I haven't seen others on Fed-Ex Sprinters, so I think that tells me what I need to know.

Jim, "Didja hear that Fed-Ex and UPS are gonna merge? Yeah, it's true. They're gonna call the new company Fed-Ups."

'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')