Towing airfoil - AEROPlus

[Thorpedo]

I've read topics previously discussing the merits of car mounted roof top wings to deflect air over the caravan when towing.

Chatting to a friendly chap at a site recently who was using an old one which he'd been given, he claimed it makes a big improvement to stability and fuel. He suggested that they were nolonger produced.

Towsure and other suppliers are now listing one at £99 called Purpleline Aeroplus http://www.caravanmoversonline.co.uk/purpleline/aeroplus.html

It seems that this is a new item as one site suggests pre ordering for shipping in May.

This site also contains a short video.

Just a gimmick ? maybe, but I'd like to hear from anyone who has got hold of one.

 

[Jaydug]

I remember using one in the seventies. Whether or not it helped with fuel economy, I don't really know. I do know that it reduced the solo consumption figures if I didn't remove the thing after arriving on site. Acted a bit like a roofbox.

 

[Heethers]

If l remember rightly it was some boffin that reckoned they were useless due to where you place them on the roof, a couple of inches out and it caused a vortex between the tow car and the van.

Looks like he's died and some bright spark can see a killing, l would not waste money and concentrate on driving correctly, probably save more that way than laying out for a gimmick all ready tried once before.

NigelH

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi Thorpedo

I am sure that with some outfits and ideal positioning of such a device that some savings can be made, I doubt that they are going to be huge savings maybe 5% or so, but by exactly the same token if it is placed in a less than ideal position the increased drag and weight could end up making things worse by 5% or more.

The difficulty is knowing which outfits could benefit, and then identifying the ideal position for the deflector, and any adjustment it may need.

To be able to determine which outfits and what positions you would need a wind tunnel to conduct experiments.

Someone may have been lucky and got it just right, but there are to many variables in normal driving to actually produce robust results.

 

[Steve L]

Hi Thorpedo.

I have used one of the old "wind jammer" aerofoils for about the last ten years. I used to tow our caravan witha Renault 25 which was a typical hatchback and the tail flow of air landed right on the nose of the caravan which not only got the van very dirty in the wet, but ment I could only get 52Mph out of the outfit.

Having obtained my aerofoil for

 

[Thorpedo]

Thanks chaps, intersting stuff.

I'm not sure I'd invest in one but the concept seems reasonable, although I agree that it would be difficult to prove any conclusive improvement.

Steve, I don't suppose it was you I spoke to at Plymouth Sound CC site at the end of Easter attaching your Jammer?

I notice that the AEROPlus is advertised in the CC club mag I received today, perhaps P.C mag or the CC mag will review the device in due course. They should have the resources to give it a proper scientific test.

 

[Steve L]

Thanks chaps, intersting stuff.

I'm not sure I'd invest in one but the concept seems reasonable, although I agree that it would be difficult to prove any conclusive improvement.

Steve, I don't suppose it was you I spoke to at Plymouth Sound CC site at the end of Easter attaching your Jammer?

I notice that the AEROPlus is advertised in the CC club mag I received today, perhaps P.C mag or the CC mag will review the device in due course. They should have the resources to give it a proper scientific test.

Unfortunately it wasn't me.

But it is interesting to hear that there are more of us out there trying to reduce our carbon foot print by making best use of our resoarses.

I do think PC should get involved and get some tangeable evidence of performance. My own rough rule of thumb calculations are only based on two particular cars. Perhaps they try a foil on all their tow cars.

For instance it would be interesting to see what benifit could be achieved with a diesel 4x4 which seems to be quite a popular choice, as a lot of folks believe they need four wheel drive to tow efficiently.

Regards

Steve L.

 

[Steve L]

Unfortunately it wasn't me.

But it is interesting to hear that there are more of us out there trying to reduce our carbon foot print by making best use of our resoarses.

I do think PC should get involved and get some tangeable evidence of performance. My own rough rule of thumb calculations are only based on two particular cars. Perhaps they try a foil on all their tow cars.

For instance it would be interesting to see what benifit could be achieved with a diesel 4x4 which seems to be quite a popular choice, as a lot of folks believe they need four wheel drive to tow efficiently.

Regards

Steve L.

 

[Dave_374330759]

How long would it take to get your

 

[Steve L]

Hi Dave.

I can see your point about recouping the costs, but I must admit in my case, the repay period was in the first journey.

Another benifit of using the deflector is, avoidance of stone cracks in the front windows. The one and only time I didn't use my deflector, a stone must of hit the offside front window of our van causing a crack about an inch long. Needless to say that at even

 

[emmerson2]

I've got one in the back of the yard somewhere. Not used it for years, but I know that the front of the van stayed cleaner with it on. We're off on a long tour of France and Belgium next week. Perhaps I ought to dig it out!

 

[Steve L]

Hi your Emminance.

I reckon you might just have a valuable asset there in the back yard as even if you save 1 MPG on such a long journey, it will pay dividends.

Have a grand tour and don't forget to go steady on the return trip with those duty free's on board.

ATB

Steve L.

 

[emmerson2]

Steve, I'm going to look for it if I have time, but Tuesday is coming up very fast, and we've still got lots to do! We were in Leo yesterday,as the dogs were due their annual injections. We use the Marches practice(used to be the Ryelands), but didn't have time to stop.

Now, what would I be doing with duty-free???

 

[otherclive]

If you have a4x4 just raise the front of the sunroof and drive fast enough to keep the rain out!

 

[Steve L]

Hi Emmerson.

We used to use Ryelands, but found them to be very expensive.

We now use Arrowfield vets at Kington. Their prices are so good, we get the petrol covered and more. Never any real need to pre book either. We have only waited 30 mins at any time.

Happy hols.

Steve L.

 

[emmerson2]

It's loyalty with us Steve. We had a problem with my old dog some years ago when we were at the Leen. As a total stranger, at eight pm on a Friday night, the vet came out, treated the dog,but didn't know what to charge, just took our address and sent a bill two months later! That sort of service is beyond price, but yes, they are a tad expensive.Besides, I think Herself is just a little in love with one of the partners!!

 

[George_374396015]

Hi,

I Tow with a Volvo Estate. I have found when towing the cravan and have a top box fitted to the car it is a more stable tow. (subjective not measured) I can also comment that the front window of the caravan can be seen to flex whilst being towed without a car top box on the car. i cannot comment on the airfoils, but a top box certainly improves things in my opinion.

geo