Silverado aerocap build thread

[HHOTDI]

What a cool idea to use that stuff to skin it. I had planned on using that stuff or something similar to cover a Recumbent bike I am planning on building. I also have a 150cc Scooter planned to make it into an aerodyn recumbent with the same skin! Shooting for 100 MPG! Thanks for the tip, keep up the good work. :{)

[KamperBob]

Originally Posted by HHOTDI

I also have a 150cc Scooter planned to make it into an aerodyn recumbent with the same skin! Shooting for 100 MPG! Thanks for the tip, keep up the good work. :{)

That may not be difficult. I regularly got 90-95 mpg commuting to work on a 225cc motorcycle without any aero mods whatsoever. I did ride smart, ditched the knobby tires (it's a dual sport on/off road model), and kept the tires firm (which didn't hurt road handling and helped tire wear). Of course it was mostly 35-45 mph zones. When I hold 55-60 mph on highways it drops to 85-90 mpg. Two up with my wife on the back it can drop as low as 80 mpg. I don't suppose you're planning much highway cruising with only 150cc but if you are then fish fairings would help a lot. Around town fairings could do more weight harm than aero good at low speeds. Food for thought maybe.

I've helped bend this thread enough. If a moderator knows of a better existing thread for this content I'd happily drive it there instead.

[minAirForce]

What kind of shrink plastic did you use? Where'd you get it. It looks very thick.

[Chris D.]

What is this plastic that was used and where can I find this?

[Fubeca]

Silverado aerocap build thread

This was my attempt at explaining the plastic.

I believe this was the exact item I purchase in black 4 mil thick: Film-Gard® Polyethylene Sheeting in Various Sizes & Colors - Polyethelene Sheeting - Ace Hardware

Coincidentally, I recently had to destroy the cap and send it on its way to a new life as something else. The plastic was amazingly intact considering I thought it would only last for a year or so.

[ChazInMT]

I did the same thing to my aerocap, and used 6 mil black from a local lumber store. It is used as vapor barrier in crawl spaces, as long as it is Polyethylene it should work as heatshrink. I used a heatgun to shrink it, it took a long time. And you gotta be careful, it's a fine line between shrink and melt.

[Homesplat]

Looks good, but I've always wondered about the hindrance of your view with these caps.

[t vago]

You'll lose your rear view mirror, unless you opt to use one of them back-up cameras. Personally, it'd be like driving a service van. They normally don't have any rear view to speak of, either. It's pretty easy to get used to. I've been driving with an aerocap for 4 months now, with no rear-view mirror related issues.

Your side mirrors will become more important to you. Then again, they should already be important to you.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by t vago

You'll lose your rear view mirror, unless you opt to use one of them back-up cameras. Personally, it'd be like driving a service van. They normally don't have any rear view to speak of, either. It's pretty easy to get used to. I've been driving with an aerocap for 4 months now, with no rear-view mirror related issues.

Your side mirrors will become more important to you. Then again, they should already be important to you.

X2

Few know how to use mirrors, it seems. Any discussion of traveling legally at slower than the upper limit seems to try to dodge the use of mirrors in a new, expanded way by rationalization [denial] versus skill acquisition. Here, RV boards, and other vehicle enthusiast boards, all too many are adamant about fearing the loss of sheeple coloration.

To the point: consider the OEM towing mirrors. The "loss" of mpg may be next to nothing, especially compared to the gains of the aerolid. A win all around (as trucks are expected to be loaded or towing as central to their function).

.

[Dave?]

Drop the end gate and extend the slope to eliminate more verticle surface. It could be a second piece that can be put away when not on the highway for example.