6 Best Aerodynamic Trailer Wind Deflectors For Towing That Save Without Sacrifice
Reduce aerodynamic drag for better fuel economy and towing stability. Our guide reviews the top 6 trailer wind deflectors that cut fuel costs at the pump.
You feel it the moment you merge onto the highway—that relentless drag of your trailer fighting against the wind. Every gust of wind feels like it’s reaching directly into your wallet at the gas pump. A simple aerodynamic wind deflector can be one of the smartest, fastest-payback investments you make for your towing setup.
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How Wind Deflectors Boost Your Towing MPG
Towing a travel trailer is like dragging a giant brick through the air. The flat front face of the trailer creates immense wind resistance, or "drag," forcing your engine to work much harder just to maintain speed. This is why your fuel economy plummets the second you hitch up.
A wind deflector acts as a ramp for the air. Mounted on the roof of your tow vehicle, it intercepts the oncoming wind and smoothly directs it up and over the top of your trailer. Instead of hitting a flat wall, the air flows cleanly over the rig. This simple change can reduce drag by a significant margin.
The result? Your engine doesn’t have to fight as hard, which directly translates to better fuel economy. Most towers see an improvement of 1 to 3 miles per gallon, which might not sound like much until you do the math. On a 2,000-mile road trip, saving 2 MPG could mean saving 25-30 gallons of fuel—easily paying for the deflector in a single long journey.
It’s not just about the money, either. By reducing drag, a deflector also improves towing stability. You’ll feel less buffeting from crosswinds and passing semi-trucks, making for a more relaxed and less fatiguing driving experience. It’s a win-win.
Icon AeroShield WD500: Top All-Around Performer
If you’re looking for a reliable, no-fuss option that works for the vast majority of setups, the Icon AeroShield WD500 is it. This is the workhorse of the wind deflector world. It’s built from a tough, high-impact polymer that can handle highway debris and years of sun exposure without becoming brittle.
What makes the WD500 so popular is its blend of performance and practicality. The installation is completely tool-free, using adjustable legs with padded feet that grip your vehicle’s roof without causing damage. You can put it on or take it off in minutes, which is perfect for those who also use their truck or SUV as a daily driver.
The shield itself is fully adjustable, allowing you to dial in the perfect angle to direct airflow over your specific trailer. This versatility makes it a great match for everything from a full-size pickup pulling a 25-foot travel trailer to an SUV towing a hybrid camper. It strikes the perfect balance of cost, durability, and ease of use.
Purple Line Aeroplus: Sleek and Modern Design
Not everyone loves the industrial look of traditional wind deflectors. The Purple Line Aeroplus addresses this head-on with a sleek, curved design that complements the look of modern SUVs and trucks. It looks less like an add-on and more like an integrated part of your vehicle.
The Aeroplus often utilizes a quick-release mounting system, sometimes with heavy-duty suction cups, making it one of the fastest to install and remove. This is a huge advantage for people who only tow occasionally and want to restore their vehicle’s original look in seconds. The lightweight construction also makes it easy for one person to handle.
The main tradeoff here is in the mounting. While convenient, suction-cup systems require a clean surface and should be checked for security at every fuel stop, especially on long or bumpy trips. It’s a fantastic choice for the weekend warrior who values aesthetics and convenience, but full-timers might prefer a more securely bolted-on solution.
Wind Tamer Deflector: Durable Fiberglass Build
Protect your vehicle and improve efficiency with the ICON AeroShield Wind Deflector. This no-drill deflector fits most vehicles, offering up to 3mpg better fuel mileage, enhanced stability, and protection from bugs on your trailer.
When durability is your top priority, fiberglass is the answer. The Wind Tamer deflector is built for the long haul, using a rigid fiberglass construction that won’t flex or flutter at high speeds. This material is incredibly resistant to UV degradation and extreme temperatures, making it a favorite among full-time RVers and commercial towers.
Unlike some lighter-duty plastic models, the Wind Tamer’s robust build provides superior stability in heavy crosswinds. That rigidity helps maintain a consistent aerodynamic profile, ensuring you get predictable performance mile after mile. It’s the kind of set-it-and-forget-it hardware you can rely on.
This durability comes with a few considerations. Fiberglass is heavier than plastic, and the installation is typically more involved, often requiring drilling for a permanent mount. This isn’t a deflector you’ll be taking on and off every weekend. It’s an investment for the serious tower who puts thousands of miles on their rig every year and needs equipment that can keep up.
Nose Cone Wind Deflector: Commercial-Grade Choice
Stepping away from vehicle-mounted options, the Nose Cone is a different beast entirely. This type of deflector mounts directly to the front face of your trailer, not your tow vehicle. It’s a permanent, integrated solution that offers maximum aerodynamic efficiency.
By creating a curved, V-shaped front for your trailer, the Nose Cone splits the air with incredible effectiveness. It’s a common sight on commercial semi-trailers for a reason—it works exceptionally well. Because it’s part of the trailer, you never have to worry about installing, removing, or adjusting it. You just hitch up and go.
The major consideration is its permanence. Installing a Nose Cone is a modification to your trailer, often requiring drilling and sealing. It’s not transferable to a new trailer down the road. This makes it the ideal choice for someone with a dedicated, long-term rig who wants the absolute best performance without the daily hassle of a roof-mounted unit.
Taylor Made Trailer-V: For Smaller Tow Vehicles
Bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to aerodynamics. The Taylor Made Trailer-V is specifically designed for smaller tow vehicles like crossovers, minivans, and small SUVs. Putting a massive, full-size deflector on a Subaru Outback would be overkill and potentially create more drag than it solves.
The Trailer-V features a more compact, V-shaped design that effectively parts the air for narrower trailers like pop-ups, teardrops, and small fiberglass campers. It manages the airflow from a smaller vehicle without being oversized. This proper matching of scale is critical for seeing real MPG gains.
This highlights a crucial point: your deflector should be matched to your specific rig. The Trailer-V excels because it understands its niche. It provides just enough aerodynamic assistance to make a difference for smaller setups without the weight, cost, or visual bulk of a deflector designed for a one-ton truck.
Icon AeroShield WD600: Maximum Coverage Option
Sometimes, you just need more coverage. The Icon AeroShield WD600 is the larger version of the popular WD500, designed for rigs with a significant height difference between the tow vehicle and the trailer. This is common with fifth-wheels or when towing a tall travel trailer with a truck that doesn’t have a cab-high topper.
The WD600 is wider and taller, allowing it to capture and redirect a much larger column of air. If a standard deflector leaves the top corners of your trailer exposed to the wind, you’re losing a lot of the potential benefit. The WD600 closes that gap, ensuring a smooth transition for the airflow over the entire front of the trailer.
Like its smaller sibling, it features tool-free installation and adjustable positioning. It’s the right tool for a specific job. If you have a large frontal area to cover, skimping on deflector size will only yield disappointing results. The WD600 is the solution for those maximum-drag scenarios.
Choosing Your Deflector: Size and Angle Matter
Picking the right deflector isn’t just about brand; it’s about physics. The two most important factors for success are size and angle. Get these right, and you’ll see the fuel savings. Get them wrong, and you’ll have an expensive roof ornament.
First, consider the size. The ideal deflector should be at least as wide as your tow vehicle but not wider than your trailer. This creates a clean path for the air to follow. An undersized deflector will let air spill around the sides, hitting the trailer face and negating much of the benefit.
Next, dial in the angle. The goal is to create a smooth, gradual ramp for the air. A good starting point is to aim the top edge of the deflector at the top third of your trailer’s front wall. You don’t want to shoot the air far above the trailer, nor do you want it to hit the middle of the trailer face. A slight adjustment can make a noticeable difference in both fuel economy and stability.
Before you buy, ask yourself these key questions:
- What is my setup? A fifth-wheel pulled by a dually needs a different solution than a pop-up pulled by a minivan.
- How often do I tow? If you tow every weekend, a more durable, semi-permanent mount makes sense. For a few trips a year, a quick-release model is more practical.
- What is my budget? While they all pay for themselves over time, the initial investment varies. Balance durability with cost.
Ultimately, a wind deflector is a simple tool that solves a complex problem, turning a stressful, fuel-guzzling tow into a smoother and more efficient journey. It’s a practical upgrade that pays you back with every mile you travel.
