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BamZipPow · 01-23-2016, 06:03 AM

So I'm at a stage into this project where I've demonstrated that a boat tail can be developed on a single wheel platform with different mechanics to deal with the adherent issues with using that platform. There are many ideas on how to implement a boat tail on a vehicle and this is just one approach.

Fer me to move forward in designing and fabricating a more permanent design will require different materials/tools and skill sets that I currently don't have.

I am inspired by Randy Grubb's projects using aluminum sheeting and rivets to create his designs (Decoliner and Deco-pods) and this is one direction that would be ideal but cost prohibitive fer my budget.

Randy Grubb - The Blastolene Indy Special, Jay Leno Tank Car, Decopods and Decoliner

Using sheet metal instead of aluminum sheet would lower the project costs but add significant weight as a trade off. Sheet metal could be welded instead of riveted. Moving to a metal shell would prove a more stable and secure platform than the current setup but my design would have to be pretty much be set in stone with minimal design change. I have been studying travel trailer designs like the 1936 Keyhole travel trailer and I am trying to implement some of that build and design technology into my boat tail build.
1936-Keyhole

Moving towards fiberglass is conceptually the easiest direction as far as shaping complex curves to head towards but it has its own inherent learning challenges. Working in papier mâché may be a good transition in developing skills towards fiberglassing.

I will try a few attempts at converting the wheel pant into a more aerodynamic design by using fiberglass or sheet metal as my material of choice. Hopefully I will be able to build my skill sets and experience to a degree that will allow me to build out the boat tail shell into a more permanent design.

I will try building a model (as close to scale as possible) so I can work on different design shape transitions based on the current rig measurements. I should be able to try out a few designs in the comfort of my home instead of dealing with trying them out in the elements outside at full scale.

01-23-2016, 06:03 AM	#825 (permalink)
BamZipPow T-100 Road Warrior Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The Woodlands, TX Posts: 1,920 BZP T-100 (2010) - '98 Toyota T-100 ext cab - 3.4L/auto SR5 Last 3: 24 mpg (US) BZP T-100 (2011) - '98 Toyota T-100 ext cab - 3.4L/auto SR5 Last 3: 23.66 mpg (US) BZP T-100 (2009) - '98 Toyota T-100 ext cab - 3.4L/auto SR5 Last 3: 19.01 mpg (US) BZP T-100 (2012) - '98 Toyota T-100 ext cab - 3.4L/auto SR5 Last 3: 25.45 mpg (US) BZP T-100 (2013) - '98 Toyota T-100 SR5 Last 3: 25.79 mpg (US) BZP T-100 (2014) - '98 Toyota T-100 SR5 Last 3: 23.18 mpg (US) BZP T-100 (2015) - '98 Toyota T-100 SR5 Last 3: 23.85 mpg (US) BZP T-100 (2016) - '98 Toyota T-100 SR5 Last 3: 17.62 mpg (US) BZP T-100 (2017) - '98 Toyota T-100 SR5 90 day: 20.78 mpg (US) BZP T-100 (2018) - '98 Toyota T-100 SR5 90 day: 20.19 mpg (US) BZP T-100 (2019) - '98 Toyota T-100 SR5 BZP T-100 (2020) - '98 Toyota T-100 SR5 2012 Scion iQ - '12 Scion iQ Base Thanks: 3,479 Thanked 1,395 Times in 968 Posts	So I'm at a stage into this project where I've demonstrated that a boat tail can be developed on a single wheel platform with different mechanics to deal with the adherent issues with using that platform. There are many ideas on how to implement a boat tail on a vehicle and this is just one approach. Fer me to move forward in designing and fabricating a more permanent design will require different materials/tools and skill sets that I currently don't have. I am inspired by Randy Grubb's projects using aluminum sheeting and rivets to create his designs (Decoliner and Deco-pods) and this is one direction that would be ideal but cost prohibitive fer my budget. Randy Grubb - The Blastolene Indy Special, Jay Leno Tank Car, Decopods and Decoliner Using sheet metal instead of aluminum sheet would lower the project costs but add significant weight as a trade off. Sheet metal could be welded instead of riveted. Moving to a metal shell would prove a more stable and secure platform than the current setup but my design would have to be pretty much be set in stone with minimal design change. I have been studying travel trailer designs like the 1936 Keyhole travel trailer and I am trying to implement some of that build and design technology into my boat tail build. 1936-Keyhole Moving towards fiberglass is conceptually the easiest direction as far as shaping complex curves to head towards but it has its own inherent learning challenges. Working in papier mâché may be a good transition in developing skills towards fiberglassing. I will try a few attempts at converting the wheel pant into a more aerodynamic design by using fiberglass or sheet metal as my material of choice. Hopefully I will be able to build my skill sets and experience to a degree that will allow me to build out the boat tail shell into a more permanent design. I will try building a model (as close to scale as possible) so I can work on different design shape transitions based on the current rig measurements. I should be able to try out a few designs in the comfort of my home instead of dealing with trying them out in the elements outside at full scale. __________________ Dark Aero-The world's first aerodynamic single wheel boat tail!