Trailer Skirts: A Proven Fuel Saver

In tight economic times drivers are trying anything to save a few dollars, one trend that is catching on and has been proved effective are trailer skirts. Designed to streamline the trailer and reduce drag, this system provides an average 7.4% fuel savings at highway speeds. Freight Wing, one of the industry's largest suppliers of trailer side skirts now has about 10,000 units on the road with sales up threefold over the past year.

Currently trailer side fairings available in three types of material: aluminum, plastic, or fiberglass. Each has its strengths and its fans. The skirts effectiveness depends upon ground clearance, the closer to the ground the better savings. In SAE track testing, Freight Wing found its older-style aluminum fairings with 16 inches of ground clearance yielded a 4% fuel savings while its new Aeroflex product that rides just eight inches off the ground delivers a 7% fuel savings.

When skirt shopping, there are many things to consider, including weight, ground clearance, durability and ease of installation and repair. Some systems consist of multiple panels, which make repairs easier and less costly than replacing the entire system, but may break apart and look flimsy at highway speeds. Once you've installed a system, its suggest inspecting trailer fairings as part of the normal trailer inspection process, looking for loose fasteners and damaged brackets. For the most part, trailer fairings should be worry-free.

In addition to using the trailer skirts some drivers are also switching to low rolling resistance tires and reducing top speeds to 62mph, showing a collective 8.94% improvement! With fuel prices rising each month every little bit helps the pocket. Added up the money saved by switching to more efficient methods can pay for its self in about a year.

If you are in need of great rates on truck insurance, stop by at BerrierInsurance.com and ask for a fast, free quote. We have been specializing in trucking insurance for almost 30 years and will be here to continue providing our customers with quality truck insurance and the lowest price possible.

Safest Driving Year Ever

Some great news for the trucking industry: the latest statistics show a huge leap of improvement for safe commercial driving. 2009 saw the lowest commercial truck crash rates ever recorded in the US, and the truck involved fatalities were disproportionately much lower then that of passenger vehicles for the first time in decades! Historically the trends between commercial truck and passenger car related fatalities have been falling at similar rates until 2009, when passenger vehicles only had an 8.5% improvement while commercial trucks had an amazing 20.4%! Compared to the modest drop between 2004 and 2008 of 1%-5% it’s the largest single year drop since crash data records began in 1975. There has yet to be an explanation for the drastic change, some analysis say it’s just a fluke and that we should never trust just a single factor explanation. Its possible that because of the economic hardships companies are dealing with, they are letting go of their lesser qualified drivers to cut costs, and as a result there is now a smaller more experienced work force out on the roads. The data also goes onto reinforce what truck drivers have always known, that car drivers are overwhelmingly at fault when involved in a crash with a truck. Similar to companies cutting costs, families are doing the same by taking their young drivers off the road--fewer parents are now able to buy their kids a shiny new sports car for their 16th birthday. In effect there are far fewer inexperienced drivers out on the roads which corresponds fewer crashes, compared to past years. Whatever the reason may be we are thankful for all the safe and responsible drivers out there.


An accident can happen anywhere and at any time. To make sure you are properly covered contact us at Berrier Insurance and we will review your commercial trucking insurance with you. We can offer you the best rates on commercial auto insurance and provide detailed answers to any of your questions about insurance. Call us today 888-472-4915.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads in The World

I'm sure all you truckers have some stories of dangerous roads you've driven, but here is a list of the most dangerous roads in the world. American truckers will be glad to see that none are here in the USA!

1.Old Yungas Road (Bolivia)

2.Nairobi – Nakuru – Eldoret Highway (Kenya)

3.Fairy Meadows Road (Pakistan)

4.Luxor – al – Hurghada Road (Egypt)

5.Patiopoulo – Perdikaki Road (Greece)

6.Halsema Highway (Philippines)

7.Skippers Road (New Zealand)

8.Sichuan – Tibet Highway (China)

9.San Isidro de General – Cartago (Costa Rica)

10.Grand Trunk Road (India)

We are glad that none of our drivers will have to face down these roads. Insure your truck with Berrier Insurance! We love them big rigs and we specialize in commercial trucking insurance. Call us today for a quick comparison quote 888-472-4915