Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Big project-F250 pulling 20x8.5 enclosed trailer

aerohead · 11-07-2009, 04:48 PM

I really like what botsapper put together.That would be the dream list for sure!
The trailer's front desperately needs some radius'ed edges all around,top/sides.bottom.If mine,short of a NoseCone,I get some "large" Schedule-20 PVC pipe,split in half on table saw or with a router,and attach.'
And you're saying "parachute"! Nope! Dr.Paul MacCready patented such a thing and it would help for sure.
I'd go after the gap between truck back/trailer face.Even a single vertical panel at centerline to block crossflow has been demonstrated to cut drag.
Fender skirts would be good or full wheelcovers with vents for the electric brakes.
Fairings behind all the wheels would be good but major job to fab.
MetroMPG mentioned the Coleman rooftop AC.That thing would cost 2-mpg on a car.If mine,I'd make a simple removable tapered fairing from foam insulation board and a layer of fiberglass,which tapers back to nothing,top and sides at 10-12 degrees.( carry a step ladder with you!)
With the trailer as tall as it is,you could also do an over-cab-roof shell on the truck.Thing is,match the two frontal areas as best you can.
The more gentle the curvature the better.No abrupt "eruptions".
? Does the trailer have an open ladder-type frame underneath? If so,this is another area that could save bucks if done light so as not to affect your overall gross weight.
Renault has an semi with a lower Cd than today's hybrids by covering all these areas.

11-07-2009, 04:48 PM	#29 (permalink)
aerohead Master EcoModder Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sanger,Texas,U.S.A. Posts: 16,314 Thanks: 24,440 Thanked 7,386 Times in 4,783 Posts	F-250 aero I really like what botsapper put together.That would be the dream list for sure! The trailer's front desperately needs some radius'ed edges all around,top/sides.bottom.If mine,short of a NoseCone,I get some "large" Schedule-20 PVC pipe,split in half on table saw or with a router,and attach.' And you're saying "parachute"! Nope! Dr.Paul MacCready patented such a thing and it would help for sure. I'd go after the gap between truck back/trailer face.Even a single vertical panel at centerline to block crossflow has been demonstrated to cut drag. Fender skirts would be good or full wheelcovers with vents for the electric brakes. Fairings behind all the wheels would be good but major job to fab. MetroMPG mentioned the Coleman rooftop AC.That thing would cost 2-mpg on a car.If mine,I'd make a simple removable tapered fairing from foam insulation board and a layer of fiberglass,which tapers back to nothing,top and sides at 10-12 degrees.( carry a step ladder with you!) With the trailer as tall as it is,you could also do an over-cab-roof shell on the truck.Thing is,match the two frontal areas as best you can. The more gentle the curvature the better.No abrupt "eruptions". ? Does the trailer have an open ladder-type frame underneath? If so,this is another area that could save bucks if done light so as not to affect your overall gross weight. Renault has an semi with a lower Cd than today's hybrids by covering all these areas.