Aerodynamic trucking systems

A side skirt system, relating to a set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels for reducing aerodynamic drag below cargo trailers comprising a generally-rectilinear floor assembly having longitudinal sides, a longitudinal axis, a forward portion, a trailing portion, and a pair of landing gear and a rear, and having at least one rear wheel assembly situated below said generally-rectilinear floor, comprising:

• a) a plurality of generally-vertical support posts, said plurality located generally below a longitudinal side;
• and
• b) wherein each respective generally-vertical support post of said plurality comprises a respective upper end;
• c) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled only adjacent, at said respective upper end, with said generally-rectilinear floor assembly;
• d) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled below said upper end to at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels;
• e) wherein said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels extend from said forward portion to said trailing portion of said cargo trailer, wherein said trailing portion of said cargo trailer comprises the rear of the cargo trailer;
• f) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is configured to assist upward and inward pivoting of at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels and impact damage of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels may be reduced by such upward and inward pivoting;
• g) wherein said upper end comprises at least one adjustable attacher structured and arranged to adjustably attach said generally-vertical support post to said generally-rectilinear floor;
• h) wherein said at least one adjustable attacher comprises at least one vertical-axis rotator configured to allow rotation of said generally-vertical support post about a generally-vertical axis;
• i) wherein said at least one vertical-axis rotator comprises at least one positional maintainer structured and arranged to maintain such respective generally-vertical support post in at least one defined rotational position about such generally-vertical axis;
• and
• j) wherein interaction of airflow below said cargo trailer, when moving forward, with said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels reduces aerodynamic drag of said cargo trailer.

A side skirt system, relating to a set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels for reducing aerodynamic drag below cargo trailers comprising a generally-rectilinear floor assembly having longitudinal sides, a longitudinal axis, a forward portion, a trailing portion, and a pair of landing gear and a rear, and having at least one rear wheel assembly situated below said generally-rectilinear floor, comprising:

• a) a plurality of generally-vertical support posts, said plurality located generally below a longitudinal side;
• b) wherein each respective generally-vertical support post of said plurality comprises a respective upper end;
• c) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled only adjacent, at said respective upper end, with said generally-rectilinear floor assembly by at least one elastomerically-isolated coupler;
• d) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled below said upper end to at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels;
• e) wherein said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels extend from said forward portion to said trailing portion of said cargo trailer, wherein said trailing portion of said cargo trailer comprises the rear of the cargo trailer;
• f) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is configured to assist upward and inward pivoting of at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels to reduce impact damage;
• and
• g) wherein said upper end comprises at least one adjustable attacher structured and arranged to adjustably attach said generally-vertical support post to said generally-rectilinear floor;
• wherein said at least one adjustable attacher comprises at least one positional maintainer configured to allow rotation of said generally-vertical support post about a generally-vertical axis;
• h) wherein said at least one adjustable attacher comprises:
• at least one mounting plate structured and arranged to assist mounted engagement of said generally-vertical support post with said generally-rectilinear floor;
• and
• at least one threaded-shaft tensioner structured and arranged to tension said at least one mounting plate toward such mounted engagement;
• wherein said at least one mounting plate comprises at least one slotted aperture structured and arranged to receive the at least one positional maintainer.