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Old 07-13-2011, 07:44 PM   #6 (permalink)
wyatt
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Requirements Based Trailer Design

Quote:
Originally Posted by da_dt;249556[B
][/B]
set in stone

tow vehicle (an '06 Silverado)
needing close to 120 sq. ft. of floor space
6'6" interior height
towing up to 10k lbs (trailer included)
prefer
gooseneck
6 wide by 20 long
keep this on really existing trailers
bowed roof on that trailer would be better (Pace trailer's website contends that the flat roof on their aerosport would be better)


This is how I understand your requirements. I am guessing that the relatively long rounding on the front will make a bowed roof less effective. The orange on the tail could be a kit you add on, like the Trailer Tail that is seen on semi trailers. If you did one of the steel or aluminum trailers from your link, and just skin the sides of it with something, round up the front edges, add on the "cab topper" (orange thing) and maybe a tonneau cover on the bed, you would be in good shape. It would be best if you can also shield the tires on the trailer (and truck) to the max extent possible, and throw some smooth wheel covers on everything while you are at it. I show the wheels inside the trailer's outer walls, but I understand that may not be possible. The goal is to minimize the volume between the lead vehicle and the trailer, but not have everything smashing into each other. Also, the trailer should be "hidden" from the oncoming air to the maximum extent possible by trying to not make it any larger than the lead vehicle than necessary. The tail should have a maximum of 15 degrees inward slope. Hope this helps.
OH, and throw a smooth underbody on it why don't you? You can put one on the truck too, just be careful to let lots of air through the engine compartment, since we don't want to blow a transmission...
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Last edited by wyatt; 07-13-2011 at 07:49 PM.. Reason: Smooth Underbody
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