Another truck aero cap idea...

[Big Dave]

Looking at Post #345, I am taken how similar you cap looks to the black apparition I had on mine for a few years. See my avatar - its the last surviving picture of it.

The BZP cap has a better (shallower) angle and I whacked mine off at the tailgate. (I have a long truck and a short garage.) But both taper in the plan view, leading to smaller wake area. BZP's has to be lighter than mine. I used rubber matting for the skin and that demanded a sturdier structure.

My short and too-steep cap was the best MPG configuration I've had. BZP should do well with this one.

[freebeard]

Backup lights or anti-tailgater?

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Looking at Post #345, I am taken how similar you cap looks to the black apparition I had on mine for a few years. See my avatar - its the last surviving picture of it.

The BZP cap has a better (shallower) angle and I whacked mine off at the tailgate. (I have a long truck and a short garage.) But both taper in the plan view, leading to smaller wake area. BZP's has to be lighter than mine. I used rubber matting for the skin and that demanded a sturdier structure.

My short and too-steep cap was the best MPG configuration I've had. BZP should do well with this one.

As I've been experimenting with my aero cap, I've studied the many different ones posted here in the forums and they have inspired the direction I've headed towards. Though my build will keep evolving, I will keep trying to learn from others so I can keep an open attitude on my builds. Thanks fer the inspiration!

It just so happens that the many "mistakes" I have in my aero cap has been a blessing when continuing the build with the boat tail. I didn't cut the aero cap off at the tail gate as I wasn't sure how short it should be. It turns out that the extended length was perfect fer attaching the canopy and side gap covers between the single wheel trailer and aero cap.

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Backup lights or anti-tailgater?

Back up lights and as utility lights since it will be hooked up on 3-way switches...one in the cab and one in the bed. No way would I even contemplate using them to keep someone from tailgating me. My Sparebumper device gives me ample protection from rear end collisions.

[BamZipPow]

Finally took some time this morning to replace the luan side panels which were breaking down and probably wouldn't last very long this winter. The new panels were cut from FRP.

[BamZipPow]

The Tyvek tape I used as seam protection isn't adhering to the FRP very well due to the bumpy texture of the surface. I will have to resort to a metal flashing and adhesive setup in order to keep water from intruding into the bed.

Looking at refining the aero cap some more by dropping the front vertical supports down a little so that the shape will be more in line with the cab instead of sticking up at the front corners. This will mean I will have to take the sides off so I can make that happen.

[BamZipPow]

Hooked up the rear auxiliary lights with 3-way switches so now I will be able to see more behind me at a flip of the switch from either the cab or from the bed.



This will come in handy when I have to hook up or disconnect Dark Aero in the dark.

[BamZipPow]

Back in black...

[aerohead]

"Step out of the truck sir! Your towel failed to conceal you license plate.'Should have used your 'hat'.!
We know where you live and we're keeping an eye on you!
Okay,we caught a whiff of your smoker.Can we be friends and eat over?
Lookin' naughty!

[BamZipPow]

Got a new camera since the lens on the first one was fogged up from the UV rays. I also took this time to move the camera to the center of the hatch.