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Old 09-19-2011, 03:26 PM   #18 (permalink)
orbywan
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Tucson, AZ
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skyking View Post
Here is the first sketch of the trailer.
It has a roof that pops up 18"~24". I have not finalized anything, so the heights are still 'soft'.
Interior height is 70" collapsed, 88"~94" raised.
It has adaptive suspension that can raise it up 6" for driveways, railroad crossings, etc. This allows for a low 6~8" ground clearance at highway speeds.
I have pages of floor plan in my head, but that does not affect aerodynamics.
It will be faired very closely to the tow vehicle with movable fairings. Tow vehicle height is 72", trailer is 90" as shown.
Trailer starts at 80" wide to match tow vehicle wake. That may be changed with advice from aerohead and others. It tapers to 96" but I would happily start out wider if I can be convinced the drag penalty could be minimized.
Radii will not be true radii, but constructed with ~1" slices of plywood to approximate one.
I've been conflicted about building it 102" wide. Wider = more drag, and several states have areas with 96" maximium widths. 102" would give me a little more room to plan with.
Skyking I just found your thread on your 5th wheel. Really interesting project. I've wondered several times watching people tow those things down the road what would happen if you 'Aero'd' one of those. As people have said about my RV project, it's a very 'target rich' subject for aero improvements.
Looks like you're off to a good start. Good luck!
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