Tractor trailer gap control system

1. A method for increasing the aerodynamic efficiency of a vehicle comprising:

monitoring an operating condition of a vehicle;

determining if a pre-selected event has occurred with respect to the operating condition of the vehicle;

communicating a spacing value to a moving device that repositions a trailer kingpin; and

using the moving device to reposition the trailer kingpin along the trailer, as the vehicle travels, and thereby adjust a spacing between a cab and the trailer of the vehicle based on the communicated spacing value.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating condition is a transmission gear setting.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating condition is a transmission range setting.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating condition is maintaining a particular steady state speed for a pre-selected period of time.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating condition is an activation of a cruise control setting.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spacing value is retrieved from a memory by an electronic control unit of the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating condition is a plurality of operating conditions, the conditions including at least one of a vehicle speed, a vehicle transmission gear setting, a vehicle transmission range setting, a vehicle cruise control status and vehicle acceleration.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein determining if a pre-selected event has occurred comprises detecting an increased vehicle transmission gear setting and wherein the step of adjusting a spacing comprises decreasing the spacing between the cab and the trailer.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein determining if a pre-selected event has occurred comprises detecting a decreased vehicle transmission gear setting and wherein the step of adjusting a spacing comprises increasing the spacing between the cab and the trailer.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein determining if a pre-selected event has occurred comprises detecting an increased vehicle transmission range setting and wherein the step of adjusting a spacing comprises decreasing the spacing between the cab and the trailer.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein determining if a pre-selected event has occurred comprises detecting a decreased vehicle transmission range setting and wherein the step of adjusting a spacing comprises increasing the spacing between the cab and the trailer.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating condition that is being monitored is a parking or an emergency brake of the vehicle and wherein the pre-selected event is an activation of the brake.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating condition that is being monitored is an alarm system of the vehicle and wherein the pre-selected event is an activation of the alarm.

14. A method for increasing the aerodynamic efficiency of a vehicle comprising:

monitoring a speed of the vehicle;

determining if the vehicle speed matches a pre-specified speed;

communicating a spacing value to a moving device that repositions a trailer kingpin;

using the moving device to reposition the trailer kingpin along the trailer, as the vehicle travels, and thereby adjust a spacing between a cab and the trailer of the vehicle based on the communicated spacing value.

15. A system for increasing aerodynamic efficiency of a vehicle, comprising:

a monitoring device for monitoring at least one operating condition of a vehicle in motion;

a controller in communication with the monitoring device for detecting an occurrence of a pre-selected event corresponding to the at least one operating condition; and

a moving device connected to receive a spacing value from the controller and configured to repositions a trailer kingpin along the trailer, as the vehicle travels, and thereby adjust a spacing between a cab portion and a trailer portion based on the received value.