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aerohead · 01-27-2010, 06:38 PM

The trailer pictured is beautifully executed but has very little going for it aerodynamically, as far as drag goes.
I was very encouraged by my trailer and will re-visit it one day.
If you have access to Hucho's work,you'll notice that the tow-vehicle/trailer gap is up to 20% of the drag ( 10% mpg ) and well worth killing.
I've no solution except for the movable gap-fillers.
Bob's comment on oversteer should be taken very seriously,as safety is paramount over all other considerations.
With respect to having a wheel,well,for me,if I'm going to add structure,then I want some synergy.Any support wheel can allow the car to be emptied into the trailer,for extra elbow room.I can sleep in mine.
I'm still crunching numbers on the "Viking" boat tail trailer.In a nutshell,allowing for the winter temps,elevation change over the test course,and added weight,with the gap,the truck/trailer combo has Cd 0.15.
If and when I can repair the damage and fab the gap-fillers,the Cd could go as low as 0.12.Even lower if I will "finish" the T-100.
I'm very confident that the trailer is already demonstrating a net gain in mpg compared to the "naked" T-100.
I believe you will have zero regrets if you pursue this target.

01-27-2010, 06:38 PM	#23 (permalink)
aerohead Master EcoModder Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sanger,Texas,U.S.A. Posts: 16,272 Thanks: 24,394 Thanked 7,363 Times in 4,763 Posts	1-wheeler The trailer pictured is beautifully executed but has very little going for it aerodynamically, as far as drag goes. I was very encouraged by my trailer and will re-visit it one day. If you have access to Hucho's work,you'll notice that the tow-vehicle/trailer gap is up to 20% of the drag ( 10% mpg ) and well worth killing. I've no solution except for the movable gap-fillers. Bob's comment on oversteer should be taken very seriously,as safety is paramount over all other considerations. With respect to having a wheel,well,for me,if I'm going to add structure,then I want some synergy.Any support wheel can allow the car to be emptied into the trailer,for extra elbow room.I can sleep in mine. I'm still crunching numbers on the "Viking" boat tail trailer.In a nutshell,allowing for the winter temps,elevation change over the test course,and added weight,with the gap,the truck/trailer combo has Cd 0.15. If and when I can repair the damage and fab the gap-fillers,the Cd could go as low as 0.12.Even lower if I will "finish" the T-100. I'm very confident that the trailer is already demonstrating a net gain in mpg compared to the "naked" T-100. I believe you will have zero regrets if you pursue this target.