One wheel trailer as an aero mod??

[Vwbeamer]

Seen this really neat one wheel teardrop trailer on ebay-

1957 Allstate Teardrop Trailer : eBay Motors (item 290391302092 end time Jan-23-10 20:33:33 PST)

I know this particular trailer is not a perfect boat tail, but notice how close it fits to the tow car.

This got me thinking, one could build a nice boat tailed one wheel trailer, and not worry about the gap needed on a regular trailer

any input?

[Christ]

I think Phil worked on this, but he's "away" for now.

If you search something like "aerohead" for the user and "aero trailer" for the search subject, you might find something.

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by Vwbeamer

Seen this really neat one wheel teardrop trailer on ebay-

1957 Allstate Teardrop Trailer : eBay Motors (item 290391302092 end time Jan-23-10 20:33:33 PST)

Man, that thing is shiny!! I would think that a mirror finish isn't the safest thing to have. In the dark or in quickly changing traffic conditions it'd be easy to not notice that thing...

[Christ]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Man, that thing is shiny!! I would think that a mirror finish isn't the safest thing to have. In the dark or in quickly changing traffic conditions it'd be easy to not notice that thing...

How would you not notice something as bright as your headlights facing the "wrong direction" in front of you at night?

The reflection would make it seem that something were coming back at you with the same (nearly) light intensity that your headlights have. This is why I hate chrome (large, semi) truck bumpers at night. If you get too close, they blind you. Mind that "too close" is often truly too close, but that's beside the point.

I'd think it would need clearance lighting in most states to be road legal anyway?

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by Christ

How would you not notice something as bright as your headlights facing the "wrong direction" in front of you at night?

When you're heading towards it at a perpendicular angle, then yes you'll see your headlights. But when you angle is slightly off, then your headlights get reflected somewhere off into the side of the road, and the side of the road is what gets reflected into your eye. At night, this often means darkness, making the trailer "stealthy". Of course, if you knew where to look and what to look for, then you might notice something, but in quickly changing traffic condition you often have to go by with only a glance in each direction.

[Tango Charlie]

Vwbeamer; I think the one-wheel trailer as a "rolling boat tail" has some merit.
Pros: you could make the boat tail longer, therefore possibly more effective.
Being a trailer, it could provide functional storage space that would be easier to access than a bumper-mounted tail.
It could be hooked on for longer road trips, and easily detached for around-town driving.
Cons: Cost and hassle of getting it registered/licensed as a trailer.
Extra rolling resistance of the tire.

Another possibility that I have not seen accomplished to its full potential is a tail supported off a hitch receiver. This would enable a longer tail, be lighter weight, and eliminate licensing costs, but would lose the convenience (attaching and detaching) and functionality (easily accessed storage) of a separate trailer.

I think the one-wheel trailer would be an excellent way to go if you need a light trailer for road trips (family vacations? Yah!). I would love to build one for my family car. Throw the luggage in the boat-tail/trailer, and leave the interior open for the kiddos.

[luvit]

for a one wheeled trailer, the connection to the car would be very unique.
a ball hitch would allow it to twist and lean off balance. a forked hitch wouldn't be much better.

so the connection hitch would have to support turns, approach/departure angles, and turning with approach/depart angles.

adding a 2nd wheel to the trailer would simplify this issue and allow a ball hitch.

[stevet47]

Originally Posted by luvit

for a one wheeled trailer, the connection to the car would be very unique.
a ball hitch would allow it to twist and lean off balance. a forked hitch wouldn't be much better.

so the connection hitch would have to support turns, approach/departure angles, and turning with approach/depart angles.

adding a 2nd wheel to the trailer would simplify this issue and allow a ball hitch.

Most just use 2 balls, which eliminates the twist/lean/turn, but keeps the up/down articulation.

[ChazInMT]

I've got 2 balls, but they're differant sized, 1 is 2 5/16" the other is 2".

[MetroMPG]

Here you go!

Unfinished ITworks 1-wheel aero trailer test foiled by two zorched vacuum lines on carburetor,still returns ave. 49-mpg

Picture Added 07-03-2008 11:03 PM

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