The system closes the TrailerTail when the truck goes in reverse or stops.
LONGVIEW, Texas — STEMCO Products Inc. has announced a new aerodynamic product, the TrailerTail Automatic fuel-saving system.
This newest version of the signature TrailerTail deploys automatically when the trailer reaches 35 mph, ensuring fuel savings on every trip and removing the need for the driver to get out of the cab to open it manually, spokesmen said.
The Automatic system also closes the TrailerTail when the truck stops or goes in reverse, preventing damage to the TrailerTail, trailer or dock doors. Closing the TrailerTail only when the vehicle comes to a full stop reduces the number of cycles the unit has to go through, minimizing component wear and tear. Also, if the trailer loses power, the TrailerTail will automatically close, allowing access to the cargo.
TrailerTail, acquired by STEMCO in 2015, has become a staple of the roadways across the United States and Canada, with more than 55,000 units currently in use. TrailerTail Trident provides a proven and SmartWay certified 5% fuel savings, and has also been EPA certified as a Bin 3 device.
The STEMCO TrailerTail improves fuel economy by streamlining airflow at the back of the trailer to reduce rear drag and increase fuel efficiency. It also improves safety by helping to stabilize trailers and increase visibility for drivers.
The TrailerTail Automatic receives reliable speed and direction signals from STEMCO’s wheel-mounted TracBat Aero speed sensor. The TracBat Aero is based on the existing STEMCO DataTrac & TracBat electronic hubodometers which are used extensively by fleets. The accuracy, reliability and durability of the TracBat has been proven by thousands of units on the roads covering millions of miles over the last 10 years.
“Every trip is an opportunity for the TrailerTail Automatic to deliver fuel savings. We know that truck drivers have many responsibilities, and TrailerTail Automatic eliminates the need for drivers to open or close the TrailerTail,” said Prashanth Kamath, segment business leader for ITMS at STEMCO.
“It also ensures that fleets realize an average of 5 percent fuel savings, and maintenance managers don’t have to deal with damage to TrailerTail or dock doors due to drivers forgetting to close the TrailerTail. The new TrailerTail Automatic showcases our commitment to making the driver’s job easier, improving fuel economy, reducing damage, and—above all else—making the roadways safer.”
The new TrailerTail Automatic will be available in the third quarter of 2018. It will be compatible with new trailers and also as a retrofit for existing TrailerTail Trident models.
For more information on STEMCO and TrailerTail, visit http://www.stemco.com/trailertail.
With offices and manufacturing facilities in Texas, California, Georgia, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Canada, Australia, China and Mexico, STEMCO is a leader in the technology and manufacture of commercial vehicle wheel end, braking and suspension components, as well as innovative tire and mileage solutions. STEMCO is an EnPro Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NPO) company. EnPro Industries, Inc. is a leader in sealing products, metal polymer and filament wound bearings, components and service for reciprocating compressors, diesel and dual-fuel engines, and other engineered products for use in critical applications by industries worldwide.
Dorothy Cox is former assistant editor – now retired – of The Trucker, and a 20-plus-year trucking journalism veteran. She holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and a master’s degree in divinity. Cox has been in journalism since 1972. She has won awards for her writing in both mainstream and trucking journalism.
