Commercially produced aerodynamic pickup bed cap

[AndrewJ]

Nice!!!

Really nice work Brett! I love that you took the time to think out the other two configurations to make it more practical. Have you thought about patenting it and licensing it to a bigger bed cap maker?

[newtonsfirstlaw]

I think a lot of us have thought of commercializing this sort of thing, my hat off to you for taking it further!

[DifferentPointofView]

NIIIIIIICCCE. If I had something with a tailgate then I'd definitely go for one of those. how much have you invested into this project?

[bestmapman]

That is really a nice set up.

Having been there done that, you can't expect any help from the government. In fact the government is your enemy if you are starting a business. But don't fret, you have made the first step by making the first one.

Remember this always. Your business is not about your product it is about the SALES of your product. You need to go get some orders from a supplier or distributor and then work like a dog to fill those orders.

On a different subject, what is it made of. I think it is a great design.

[bondo]

I appreciate all the compliments on the aero cap. I am a clay modeler by trade having worked in Ford design. I enjoy sculpting the clay and have done fiberglass work since I was 16. The cap is made of Fiberglass. The prototype has held up very well with no destortion of surfaces due to solar heating in summer or freezing temperatures in winter.

AndrewJ I the patent is pending and I went to the SEMA show in Vegas back in November. I met with several manufacturers hoping to get a licensing agreement. The main company I wanted to deal with was interested but they want sales figures. They are aware of how much money it takes to set up even limited production and were unwilling to take the risk at this time with thier sales way down. The development of the cap has put me in debt. Without capital, my hands are presently tied.

Bestmapman, my hat is off to you for having been there and done that. You know well about capitalization and cash flow. I don't know what your product is you have developed but I hope you profit margin is high. One problem with an aftermarket product like the aerolid is a low profit margin. Your money is made in volume. This stretches your break even point out into the future a good while. I was going to second mortgage the house for the money but my wife said no. You are right about having to work like a dog. I am used to that. Here is a pic of me and an aircraft mockup I finished recently which I fiberglassed the nose and cockpit and surfaced single handedly in less than three weeks.

If I had the funds to get the aero lid to market this dog would be on the job. Thanks you all again for your replys and compliments. I am by no means giving up!

Brett

[XFi]

Compliments to the creator! What a great idea...the weather proof tilt up cargo option with the canvas/vinyl expansion. Don't let that one get away...it's a winner!

[igo]

Originally Posted by XFi

Compliments to the creator! What a great idea...the weather proof tilt up cargo option with the canvas/vinyl expansion. Don't let that one get away...it's a winner!

The ability to pop it up when holding larger loads is key. That way people will have have no major objections to it.

Save hundreds of $$$ per year
Still able to hold a refrigerator if you need to

[cfg83]

XFi -

Originally Posted by XFi

Compliments to the creator! What a great idea...the weather proof tilt up cargo option with the canvas/vinyl expansion. Don't let that one get away...it's a winner!

I agree that this was an ingenious design option. The best of all worlds. Accordian players will want them as status symbols, .

Brett -

I understand your frustration and thank you for your effort. The aesthetics are gorgeous!

CarloSW2

[bondo]

Again let me thank you for the many compliments. This aspect of the aero cap, that it can be changed into a more utilitarian configuration, was a major concern. Many pickup truck owners have camper shells, or caps, on their trucks. A regular camper shell actually has a worse coefficient of drag than a truck with nothing over the bed at all. This is due to the squared off end of the camper and tailgate combining to create a large low pressure area behind the truck as it moves through the atmosphere.

An open bed will at least produce a "bubble" of air which tricks air above it in the boundary layer to flow over the "bubble". However, a large turbulent wake is still produced. A bed cover, or tonneau, is more aerodynamic that an open bed but cargo space is limited and you can't camp in it.

With the aero cap you can have the most aerodynamic configuration of all while having the flexibility to haul larger cargo or haul the pups or camp in it.

I had developed and patented another product almost ten years ago now, US pat.# 5,951,095. It was basically a gimmick and was to complex to manufacture. However, I did learn about how to make something change configuration and how to make it simple to manufacture. I include some pics of the old product. Basically it was a tonneau cover which could be converted into a camper shell configuration. It was fully roadable in the raised position but it was an aerodynamic nightmare as far as Cd is concerned while in the raised position.

Thanks again for all the responses and I am again honored to be in such good company,

Brett

[MetroMPG]

I continue to be impressed with your creativity.

Pickup truck origami.