Boat tail project based on a single wheel trailer...

[freebeard]

This year at the NW Bug-Run:



I see now that the hitch detail is lost in the shade. There was a J-shaped bracket grafted onto the bumper brackets, you can see it cross the reflection on the muffler twice. The silver dot is the actual pivot point, well aft of the bumper.

I talked to the guy, he said it likes to have the load as far back as possible.

[BamZipPow]

Took the lid off of Dark Aero so I could do some more normal trailer stuff.




I noticed the clear side gap covers match up really well to the sides of Dark Aero so that means I need to clean up the sides of the lid a little bit better.

Without the lid, I can't even see Dark Aero at all via the rear window or any of the mirrors!

[aerohead]

It's spooky,isn't it?

[BamZipPow]

First run without the lid and the speed brake locked in place.




Second run without the speed brake.





...and now without the aero cap in place.

[aerohead]

you're really workin' that puppy!

[BamZipPow]

Now that I'm completely moved from College Station to The Woodlands/Spring, TX...I'll git to start work on streamlining the wheel pant setup and build my skills on making a foam shell around the wheel frame and to paper mache over it. This build should allow me to develop my complex curve skills.

I figure from my previous wheel pant builds that I should make the wheel pant in two pieces...a pivoting nose and a tail section. If something were to impact the nose from road debris or backing up into a curb stop, I wouldn't have to completely rebuild the entire wheel pant. This would even allow the nose to pivot back to keep the damage to a minimum. Springs or multiple bungee cords could keep the nose tight up against the lazy susan belly pan and allow the nose to flex.

I did test out the leveling scissor jack to change out the tire since it wasn't holding pressure and the setup worked great. I even tried it with a standard ratchet just to see how difficult it would be without the impact wrench...it just took a little longer to change out the wheel. This jack is at least 20lbs lighter than the trailer jack setup, more compact to store, nothing to remove or install to use, and I can use it at different points on Dark Aero.

[deejaaa]

amazing coincidence: we just spent 2 days at the Woodlands Resort! amazing place, and, wow, small world.

[BamZipPow]

Finally devoted some time at reducing the amount of yaw and roll from the single attachment point to the truck. The width of the Draw-tite main receiver bar is 2.5". I am gonna pick up two of the Harbor Freight 3500lb bolt on bumper hitch receivers and bolt them onto the main bar. The spacing between the attachment holes are 3" apart. I will have to use some spaces fer alignment as well as shimming the gap.

This will allow me to have two 2" square tubes welded to Dark Aero's hitch so it will become a 3 point attachment to the truck and should minimize or eliminate the yaw and roll movement.

3500 lb. Step Bumper Receiver

[BamZipPow]

I was thinking about gitting these square U bolts but I have some concerns on their strength. Shipped to my door will cost about $26. Hmmm...

https://www.boltdepot.com/Product-De...?product=12548

Maybe I can use some Grade 8 bolts along with some steel plates in lieu of the square U bolts.

[freebeard]

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