DIY hitch-mounted boat tail on Audi A2 3L (photos)

[skyl4rk]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Metro, THANK YOU for the link And here is my problem: making it legal. Polish parliament has been too lazy to pass laws allowing the use of rear-mounted cargo carriers, so it is illegal here to mount anything that covers the registration plates, and it's also illegal to take your plates off and transfer them to the bikerack/cargo carrier, even if it was designed for it (and legal in other European countries).

I don't think cargo carriers are legal here either. We are allowed an extension of no more than 4 feet, but it does not specifically permit a cargo carrier. The extension law seems to have been written in a way that would suggest someone hauling long pieces of lumber would be OK if it didn't hang out more than 4 feet.

Are the cops in Poland that picky? Can't you get away with stuff? Here, most people ignore the laws, at least the details of the law. There are very few cops around here in the countryside.

If you follow the rules for a trailer (lights, registration) it seems you should be able to confuse the law officers enough to just use it and get away with it.

[JasonG]

The termination of the tail reminds me of a bulkhead in a small airplane.
That combined with his construction style makes me wonder if he is a plane builder/restorer ?

Looks marketable to me. Might not use the aluminum skin though. Maybe ABS?

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by skyl4rk

I don't think cargo carriers are legal here either. We are allowed an extension of no more than 4 feet, but it does not specifically permit a cargo carrier. The extension law seems to have been written in a way that would suggest someone hauling long pieces of lumber would be OK if it didn't hang out more than 4 feet.

Are the cops in Poland that picky? Can't you get away with stuff? Here, most people ignore the laws, at least the details of the law. There are very few cops around here in the countryside.

If you follow the rules for a trailer (lights, registration) it seems you should be able to confuse the law officers enough to just use it and get away with it.

IANL but they sure do sell lots of cargo racks around here.
The 4' rule is important for safety reasons.

[Diesel_Dave]

Intersting! for a while now I've been thinking about whether I could make something sort of like this to hang off the tailgate of my pickup. I hadn't even thought about using the hitch receiver.

Of course, I still don't have time to make it...but why should that stop me from thinking about it . Plus, I still have to build my aero-cap! Baby steps...baby steps

[Floordford]

I wonder why he didn't pt some sort of dor on it and seal it completely. There was mention of limited cargo space and how the boat tail could be used to add cargo room. I think that is the definition of win win. Go on a trip, bring all your stuff and get awesome highway mileage. It would be interesting if it caught on with the public because of the dual functionality.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

ave you contacted the owner? I'

I followed a link and noticed a page about an aero'ed e-motorcycle, which I thought I'd seen before (EM?):
e-motion

Haven't contacted anybody.

I bet he knows Allert Jacobs, who made the super streamlined ICE-powered motorbike. If you look through Allert's site ( Allert ), you'll see they even share a few photos of the comparison of upright vs. recumbent rider position.

There are even a few buildings in the background that look the same.

I wonder if they work together at a velomobile shop...

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by skyl4rk

I have been planning to build a similar cargo box, delayed by a boatbuilding project.

First build the boat, then the boattail?

Originally Posted by skyl4rk

Are the cops in Poland that picky? Can't you get away with stuff? Here, most people ignore the laws, at least the details of the law. There are very few cops around here in the countryside.

Not yet, or at least I've been lucky. The only attention from police is when they take pictures with their phones Even when I got stopped for speeding the policeman didn't say a word about my mods. Though I have noticed that when I pass a patrol one of the policemen usually has a "WTF?!? I wish I'd stopped that car!" expression on his face. Then I check in my mirror if he's fired up and chasing me for a second look, but no luck, yet.

It's the yearly inspection which is a potential problem, either because the inspector wants to solicite a bribe, or b/c he's afraid that if I get into trouble then the authorities will easily see which inspection station OK'ed me.

EDIT: Maybe I should register my car in Ukraine, where technical inspections have recently ceased (in an effort to stop the widespread bribery between inspectors and car owners)?

Originally Posted by lunarhighway

what about laws regarding trailers? i'm sure they must have some regulations for them (and perhaps the fewer the better).

what i'm thinking is if you add two wheels to the tail and perhaps some other things to place it in the legal definition of a trailer, (without being one)
if you'd ever get into some legal trouble because of the contraption, and you can prove it's legally a trailer, they can't do much. bit of a silly idea perhaps, but if lawmakers fail to be creative you must

That's actually a good idea, but trailers have their own set of can&cannot laws, which may include a minimal distance between the trailer itself and the rear of the car. On the other hand, I doubt that any law specifically states that a trailer's wheels must be in contact with the ground at all times... Though I probably won't get away with just painting wheels on the sides, so there will be a weight penalty for the wheels.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I bet he knows Allert Jacobs, who made the super streamlined ICE-powered motorbike. If you look through Allert's site ( Allert ), you'll see they even share a few photos of the comparison of upright vs. recumbent rider position.

It's that comparison photo which turned on a light. Those guys doing great!

Back on topic, this A2's aerotail just reminded me of Bondo's Box

[NeilBlanchard]

Another way to possibly attach this to a hatchback and still get access to the hatch, would be to use extending slides (like drawer slides) on the underside and have a latch release to move away from the car.

[Piwoslaw]

Crossposting
My Aerotail on Audi A2

[Vekke]

http://wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/researchn...%20Vehicle.pdf

Good test documents on drag reduction