Quote:
Originally Posted by Thalass
Out of curiosity: Has anyone made transparent wheel covers? That way you'd get to still have nice looking wheels while improving your CoD.
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I did--still testing--if I can keep them on the truck. First clear attempt was with 0.100" LEXAN disks. However, I cut them a little too small in diameter...and they moved enough to cause a balance vibration. I used parachute cord to tie them to the wheel spokes because I didn't want to drill holes in the wheel, and the wheels have so much dish I'd need nearly a six inch bolt to hold them from the center. Yep, they started getting scratched up on the edges from all the movement. So did my wheels.
Second clear attempt was with 0.015" LEXAN. This was thin enough to cut with scissors--very convenient. Also thin enough to be rolled up in a box for shipment! Used twine to tie the disks to my wheel spokes. The twine was synthetic and too slick and the knots slipped and the front two covers went flying off. They're somewhere between here and Fort Worth.
I also tried nylon zip-ties, but I'm hesitant to continue that as I expect them to wear through the wheel paint.
I've thought about epoxying plastic nuts to the spokes, and using plastic bolts to hold the covers on...or maybe velcro straps that wrap around and through the disk.
I previously tried black corroplast disks with adhesive backed velcro (front ones go flying away), double-sided tape (more fly-aways), and parachute cord.
I have noticed a mpg difference. On the last trip I used the 0.100" disks I removed them half-way between OKC and Wichita Falls. I could only go 65 mph without the disks...where I could go 70 mph with them while maintaining the same mpg. I watched my MPGuino the whole trip...