Have you traveled on a U.S. highway and seen a tractor-trailer rolling by with these funny looking fins sticking out back of the trailer? They are boat-tails or trailer-tails and they coming to Canada sooner rather than later!
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) recently announced it’s commitment to moving forward with changes to the vehicle weights and dimensions regulation that would allow transportation carriers to install and use trailer-tails on commercial vehicles. These changes would mirror Transport Canada’s changes to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations.
In addition Ontario has begun an enforcement deferral of its current regulations until such time that the new language is in place. As of August 11, 2014 carriers can use trailer-tails in Ontario!
There are though some pretty specific requirements that manufacturers and users of boat-tails should keep in mind.
Users of trailer-tails are reminded that marking rules still apply. Also users should be aware other provinces may not yet be on-board with the deployment of trailer-tail technology, drivers should therefore fold up their trailer-tails while in those jurisdictions. Drivers though coming from the U.S. may freely keep their trailer-tails deployed while traveling in Ontario.
What is a boat-tail or trailer tail?
The term boat tail also called trailer tails, refers to a kit of extension panels or fairings that are mounted to the rear of a trailer for the purpose of reducing overall vehicle drag by reducing turbulence and pressure drop at the rear of the trailer. Current commercially available boat tails are fully extended while in use and fold back against the trailer doors when the driver wishes to back the vehicle into a loading dock and/or open the rear doors. It is said a truck can see between a 5 – 6.6% fuel efficiency savings by using these on their trailers. With the price of fuel rising this can add up to a significant amount of savings for a company!
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