08-06-2011, 05:07 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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efficiencyguy
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 12
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Thanked 13 Times in 3 Posts
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My Aerotail on Audi A2
Hello,
After seeing some boattails online. I decided to built one that also functions as a luggage carrier. So we can go camping with our 2 kids, bring all the stuff and not have to use an mpg-killing trailer or roofrack.
I used a trailerhitch bikerack as a base. It can tilt so you can open the trunk.
When I drive around 65 M/h on the highway, I get 10% more Mpg.
I once got 92Mpg (2,5 l/100Km) on a 135 mile trip, with 4 people and full of luggage.
I'm thinking of making a foam rim to fill the gap between the car and the tail and to improve the bottomside of the tail.
I can still see through the upper part of the rear window.
I have a webpage (in dutch) with more pictures.
I also made an electric recumbent motorcycle.
I'm a friend of the guy who made the mintcolored fully faired honda.
I still have to make a better fairing for it.
Last edited by theo22; 08-06-2011 at 04:40 PM..
Reason: extra info
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The Following 11 Users Say Thank You to theo22 For This Useful Post:
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brucepick (08-07-2011), Cd (08-06-2011), ChazInMT (08-07-2011), CigaR007 (08-09-2011), landsailor (08-06-2011), NeilBlanchard (03-27-2012), Piwoslaw (08-06-2011), skyl4rk (08-07-2011), t vago (08-06-2011), Tango Charlie (08-06-2011), Weather Spotter (08-06-2011) |
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Today
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08-06-2011, 06:00 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: northern california
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wow!!
let me be the first to welcome you!!
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08-06-2011, 08:53 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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Very nice.
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- Tony
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08-06-2011, 10:04 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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Ultimate Fail
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Austin,Texas
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I saw your project mentioned on this site before, and I was hoping to see you join and share some details with us. A big welcome !
You have taken one of the most streamlined production vehicles ever offered to the public and greatly improved on its aerodynamics.
Welcome !
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"You don't fail until you give up. You learn, and move on." - Christ
" Hypermiling is not going slow, it's driving with more intelligence." - UFO
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08-06-2011, 10:11 AM
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#5 (permalink)
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Ultimate Fail
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I like the font that you chose for the text on the sticker. It looks professional.
Nice message too.
Do you plan to add a small clear section on the back to see out of ?
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"You don't fail until you give up. You learn, and move on." - Christ
" Hypermiling is not going slow, it's driving with more intelligence." - UFO
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08-06-2011, 02:19 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Absent without leave.
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Englishman living in Scotland
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Very neat fabrication and good idea to use the hitch / rack as a mount.
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No longer here. Bye, and good luck to all. 
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08-06-2011, 03:10 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: USA
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Canyon - '07 Canyon 2wd regular cab 90 day: 24.83 mpg (US)
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Possible retail potential (niche market)?
Nice work. Very professional looking.
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EcoDriving: Turning more fuel into usable forward motion.
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08-06-2011, 03:27 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Wiki Mod
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As a fellow boat tail driver, that looks great!
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08-06-2011, 03:34 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Absent without leave.
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Englishman living in Scotland
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kodak
Possible retail potential (niche market)?
Nice work. Very professional looking.
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For this it may be worth PM-ing user Vekke who has a business doing aero stuff in Europe.
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No longer here. Bye, and good luck to all.
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08-06-2011, 05:02 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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efficiencyguy
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 12
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Most people who see the Aerotail tell me to get a patent or to start selling them.
I run a succesfull business making Velomobiles (fully faired 3wheeled recumbent bicycles)
I have no intention of starting a production of aerotails.
I think there could be a market for a trailerhitch aerotail that would fit on several cars.
You can buy a trailerhitch luggagecarrier here in holland, but it's just a square box. They could simply change the shape to a more aerodynamic one and make 3 or 4 different sizes/shapes to fit most cars, hatchbacks SUV's etc.
Oh, here's a picture of my electric motorbike
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