As a mainstream carrier in road freight services, curtain-side trailers are widely favoured for their flexible loading modes and light weight. Even so, the unique semi-open side design and complicated undercarriage structure easily create significant air resistance during driving. At highway driving speeds, aerodynamic drag accounts for over 60% of the total vehicle resistance, which is the primary cause of increased fuel consumption. In this context, optimizing aerodynamic performance has become a simple, efficient and low-cost method for logistics enterprises to save fuel costs and reduce carbon emissions.
Most aerodynamic improvement solutions focus on improving disordered airflow around the trailer body. Installing streamlined side skirts at the bottom of the trailer is the most effective transformation measure. This structure can effectively block cross wind from striking exposed parts such as axles, brake devices and piping systems, relieve chaotic underbody airflow, and reduce overall drag by 4%
to 7%. Besides, optimizing the curtain fixing and tensioning structure can prevent the soft curtain from shaking and deforming during driving, avoid surface airflow separation, and keep the side airflow stable. Matching tapered rear baffles can also weaken the low-pressure wake area at the tail and reduce trailing air resistance.
Repeated actual road tests and CFD numerical simulations have verified that these combined aerodynamic improvements can help trailers reduce fuel consumption by 6% to 10% in daily high-speed transportation. All renovation parts are easy to install and require almost no daily maintenance, bringing stable and long-term energy-saving effects. These practical improvements not only improve the economic benefits of road cargo transportation, but also help the modern logistics industry adapt to the global development trend of energy conservation and low carbon emission reduction.
