Quote:
Originally Posted by lortech
I mean, it would not be so ugly to remove the bed from the truck then install aluminum frame work simular to the ribs of a aircraft to make a boat tail, then install a aluminum skin. It would look so much nicer. The last 5-8 feet of the tail could be built to slide on ball bearing rails to retract during city driving and parallel parking in the city.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lortech
Anyway, yes prototyping is a good point. Can the same be done in software?
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I guess if that was the goal, one could build an aerodynamic truck platform in many different ways providing you have the resources and skill sets to implement it. The goal with this project (from the beginning of this thread) was to see how viable a boat tail could be made using a single wheel platform since I'm working on a personal minimal financial budget, prototyping is my best approach at trying to achieve my goal while keeping my costs down. What my project looks like isn't as important as working out my mechanical and aerodynamic issues. The majority of my costs have been in the welding of the hitch and swivel suspension. As far as my aero cap goes, I'm already on my 7th iteration.
What are the costs of building everything in aluminum do you project? How many man-hours do you project fer the build? What tooling is needed to complete this build? I'm guessing typical metal working tools like a shrinker, stretcher, planisher, polisher, English wheel with dies, cutting tools, welder, rivets, etc. Seeing that I don't have these tools or the current skill sets to use them, I would have a major investment to acquire them and then learn how to properly use them. I guess it would take me a fair number of tries to complete basic skills under a good instructor before I could git to the level of attempting my aero cap and boat tail projects in a finished form.
I'm sure modeling the single wheel trailer boat tail could be done in software first provided one already has the software, skill to use it, and the time to master it...but I don't have those either.
I'm trying to realistic in my approach to my boat tail project and hopefully I don't come off as being sarcastic or condescending
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