wind deflectors ?

[jimmyroyse]

I have an 01' mounty 5.0l awd and pull a travel trailer with it. I'm curious if anybody has tried the wind deflector wings that mount on the roof? do they do anything? they are supposed to help with gas mpg and with the trailer handeling.
I have a set up very similar to mountian greens in this thread;
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176963&page=1

 

[IZwack]

There have been a few threads discussing this .. as I recall, most users said these devices pretty much didn't do anything to improve gas mileage or clean the windows (as some of them claim to do).

 

[jimmyroyse]

not really interested in mpg, but it would be a bonus. I'm more curious if it would help with the handleing. I tend to cruise around 60mph but if I get over that with the trailer it's like pulling a parachute.

 

[IZwack]

I'm more curious if it would help with the handleing.

No such a device wouldn't really help much in rowing a trailer.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Are you talking about a thing that sits on the roof and forces air over the trailer?

Kind of like this?

http://www.rvsupplywarehouse.com/product/detail.cfm/nid/219/pid/886

I have wondered if one would work, never have ponied up the cash to try it out.

 

[jimmyroyse]

Are you talking about a thing that sits on the roof and forces air over the trailer?

Kind of like this?

http://www.rvsupplywarehouse.com/product/detail.cfm/nid/219/pid/886

I have wondered if one would work, never have ponied up the cash to try it out.

EXACTLY! although I am on the cheap side and was thinking about one jcwhitney sells; http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/..._ID:2004985&productId=2004985&catalogId=10101

 

[jimmyroyse]

nobodys tried these things eh......?

 

[Mounty 09]

My uncle works for ford and he used to go out and test ford trucks. One day I asked him about these and he said that they hurt mpg. Didnt ask him about handling though.

 

[jimmyroyse]

Any MPG increase would be nice, but when pulling a 3500lb trailer it's going to sucketh no matter what. I was curious about changing the aerodynamics of the mountaineer with the wing to possibly help with the parachute effect the trailer induces at about 60-65mph. Up to 60 isn't a problem and most of the time is a comfortable speed when towing anyway, but there are those instances when a little extra speed is needed or is helpful (downhill coasting).
the frontal area of the trailer becomes a parachute and is like hitting the brakes at 65, it will literally bog the motor to try and hold the speed.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I wish I could find a free used one and see if it helped- I'd hate to buy one and waste my money.