Key Factors in Truck Spray Control System Installation

This paper highlights the installation requirements for textured spray control flaps fitted to heavy duty trucks. Tractor-trailer combinations operating on wet roads at highway speeds generate visibility impairing spray clouds. A key source of this fine droplet spray formation occurs when high velocity water thrown from truck tires impacts hard surfaces such as fuel tanks or conventional smooth surface flaps. Textured flaps absorb the tread throw impact returning the water to the road surface in large droplets.

This paper addresses the placement of the flaps for optimizing spray control efficiency. Special focus is placed on the practical flap fitment behind the tractor steered and drive axles and the rear trailer axle. Moreover, the need for stronger flap support systems is addressed to accommodate the greater snow accumulations characteristic with textured spray control truck flaps.