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The best way to measure the Coefficient of Drag would be wind tunnel testing. Mount the object to be tested on a strain gauge, and see how different modifications affect the measured air resistance. BUT that research time isn't free... I'm retired now, have a computer, and have access to a 3D printer to make the deflector stands. I still have a NOS luggage rack rear deflector from my Country Squire days, so I'll use that for 'inspiration' in creating the deflectors (not that they cared about Aero in the '70s, LOL!.)
One potential problem will be the clearance lights on the rear of the trailer at the top. My trailer's taillights are on the rear ramp door, not those skinny vertical LED lights on the rear box framing, so at least my taillights will be out of the way...
Airstream put aerodynamics to testing a few years ago. Testing proved that the rounded shape of Airstreams have 25% less aero drag than 'square' trailers. https://www.rvuniverse.com/blog/rv-n...cs-to-the-test. As for what that does to fuel economy was not mentioned, but an estimated figure about a 10-15% reduction in MPG drop between tow vehicle alone and towing the trailer. If you fuel economy drops from 15 to 8 when towing a box trailer, it would only drop to 10 towing the Airstream. 2mpg savings. That adds up for 'full-time' RVers. Back in the early '70s, our family went on looong 7-8-week vacations to the American (and Canadian) West. 11,000 and 13,000 miles! A savings of 2mpg would definitely add up! Back in 1971 when out in California, gas was under 25 cents/gallon..
I've seen vendors of those tabs claim the trailer is more stable. I believe the stability is while other vehicles are passing in the same direction. That is one of the few situations that I've had problems with.
I've seen that too. Another thing they could test for real and show us. I've seen the cool computer simulations and theories etc., but not a clear test.
I have thought that, before I paint my F-53, I might try air tabs to see how they do in some kind of small formal test. We'll see if I get around to that, considering the price. $200.00 isn't horrible, but it is more money than I'd want to personally spend on testing.
The best way to measure the Coefficient of Drag would be wind tunnel testing. Mount the object to be tested on a strain gauge, and see how different modifications affect the measured air resistance. BUT that research time isn't free... I'm retired now, have a computer, and have access to a 3D printer to make the deflector stands. I still have a NOS luggage rack rear deflector from my Country Squire days, so I'll use that for 'inspiration' in creating the deflectors (not that they cared about Aero in the '70s, LOL!.)
One potential problem will be the clearance lights on the rear of the trailer at the top. My trailer's taillights are on the rear ramp door, not those skinny vertical LED lights on the rear box framing, so at least my taillights will be out of the way...
Airstream put aerodynamics to testing a few years ago. Testing proved that the rounded shape of Airstreams have 25% less aero drag than 'square' trailers. https://www.rvuniverse.com/blog/rv-n...cs-to-the-test. As for what that does to fuel economy was not mentioned, but an estimated figure about a 10-15% reduction in MPG drop between tow vehicle alone and towing the trailer. If you fuel economy drops from 15 to 8 when towing a box trailer, it would only drop to 10 towing the Airstream. 2mpg savings. That adds up for 'full-time' RVers. Back in the early '70s, our family went on looong 7-8-week vacations to the American (and Canadian) West. 11,000 and 13,000 miles! A savings of 2mpg would definitely add up! Back in 1971 when out in California, gas was under 25 cents/gallon..
Airstream costs as much as a nice airplane.
-skip camping, fly to hotel
-order 4 steak dinners
-???????
-Profit!
https://www.kitplanes.com/kitfox-s7-sti/
Last edited by Midwest87; Jan 10, 2026 at 09:27 PM.
-skip camping, fly to hotel
-order 4 steak dinners
-???????
-Profit!
LOL:
Time to go to work! Work all day! We need underpants, hey! We won't stop until we have underpants! Yum tum yummy tum tay!
For the uninitiated, check out South Park, Season 2, Episode 17, but only after heeding their warning:
ALL CHARACTERS AND
EVENTS IN THIS SHOW--
EVEN THOSE BASED ON REAL
PEOPLE--ARE ENTIRELY FICTIONAL.
ALL CELEBRITY VOICES ARE
IMPERSONATED…..POORLY. THE
FOLLOWING PROGRAM CONTAINS
COARSE LANGUAGE AND DUE TO
ITS CONTENT IT SHOULD NOT BE
VIEWED BY ANYONE
I never said anything about NEW Airstreams! Back ~25yrs ago, my folks bought TWO Airstream trailers. The first was a 33' that they intended to take to Alaska behind their 28' SpaceVan Class B+ RV. Got it from an estate in Phoenix for $3500 in beautiful condition. BUT they ended up rolling it in Nevada... (Dad was too cheap to hitch it correctly). They bought a 31' for $3000 when they got to Alaska, with a damaged water system from freezing. Dad semi-fixed the thing to have cold water only (no water heater or hot piping), and they used it up there for several years - leaving both the trailer and RV in storage in AK, 'commuting' in a small Datsun/Nissan diesel pickup...
Those long '71 and '73 trips out west were real adventures! RVs were rare back then, so we towed our boat trailer with a utility box bolted to it that carried the camping gear. We stayed in National Forest campgrounds - $1/nite with the Golden Eagle yearly pass. What a great way to see the country!!!
BTW, I also have my PPL, and belong to a flying club with three planes... but as I'm almost 70yo, so that will stop when I hit that totally arbitrary number that makes me 'un-insurable'. Well, not totally, but the rates go up astronomically!
Last edited by cougrrcj; Jan 11, 2026 at 11:58 AM.
Like a lot of things in life, we work hard and with that money, we spend it. How we spend it should not matter to anyone but ourselves. Anything who thinks they are saving money going camping is foolish. Just as foolish as saving your money to go on plane just to sit on the beach. I can sit on my couch and drink a cold beer while watching TV.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
