Patent attributes
The present invention provides a wind deflector adapted for use with a truck pulling a trailer in conventional towing arrangement, with a towing hitch attached to the rear of the truck. The wind deflector has a panel that extends at an angle behind the rear end of the truck, such that the deflector panel acts as a wind deflecting surface that reduces the gap between the truck and the trailer and improves aerodynamic drag. The invention also provides an inclinable truck bed tailgate that can support the deflector. Tailgate can also be adapted for storing the deflector when not in wind deflecting position, and to extend the deflector for towing. The deflector can comprise multiple panel portions that can be folded together. The deflector brings fuel economy in the order of 18% with the truck and trailer vehicle combination, thereby lowering the environmentally harmful emissions.