Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Boat tail on a normal car? (3-box sedan)

cliffyballs · 03-19-2011, 01:02 PM

Okay i started building last night (pics to come) I decided to go with 1/2" pvc pipe as my internal support/shape. I will be using 1" steel pipe on the bottom part of the tail and where I need extra strength.

My thinking is using stronger pipe on the bottom is better because that is where the weight will be pushing. I went with PVC and Steel pipes because they are cheap, easy to cut, has fittings I can use (elbows, Ts,45s). Once the frame is built I plan to fiberglass it. I will drape the fiberglass cloth over the frame pull it tight and "paint" on my fiberglass.

Any thoughts on this?
Am I overlooking anything by using PVC?

Here is a pic of internal structure plan
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...pportbuild.jpg

03-19-2011, 01:02 PM	#45 (permalink)
cliffyballs EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 24 Leftnut - '03 Volkswagen Jetta GLS Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The build has begun Okay i started building last night (pics to come) I decided to go with 1/2" pvc pipe as my internal support/shape. I will be using 1" steel pipe on the bottom part of the tail and where I need extra strength. My thinking is using stronger pipe on the bottom is better because that is where the weight will be pushing. I went with PVC and Steel pipes because they are cheap, easy to cut, has fittings I can use (elbows, Ts,45s). Once the frame is built I plan to fiberglass it. I will drape the fiberglass cloth over the frame pull it tight and "paint" on my fiberglass. Any thoughts on this? Am I overlooking anything by using PVC? Here is a pic of internal structure plan http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...pportbuild.jpg Last edited by cliffyballs; 03-19-2011 at 02:01 PM..