Hello fellow EcoModders -
I haven't posted in a while, and I won't be able to do build pic updates like I did with the BulletTruck due to confidentially agreements. But here's what I can show on the new truck that we are currently fabricating in my shop.
We are utilizing a custom 2016 Strick 53' dry van for the StarShip. The Strick comes with an external door frame on the roof. We discovered via our CFD testing that this area was really an aero detriment. So we built a custom fairing to divert the airflow over the obstruction in the CAD software. Bingo. No more red area on the CFD. So we then built that fairing in real life.
Not related to the aero, but we have installed a 5000 watt solar array on the roof of the trailer. We also have full side skirts on the tractor and trailer like I've had since 1983. We will trim that rearmost skirt panel when we install our custom boat-tail.
Here's a close-up of the roof fairing and the solar array.
Here is a close-up of the tire access doors. They are held up with gas struts and open and close with race car push buttons. Way cool.
Due to the NDAs, here is all that I can currently show on the tractor. The 6 custom aluminum brackets on the frame rails hold the rear carbon fiber tractor skirts. The front carbon fiber tractor skirts are attached to the bottom of the cab. We will also have a full bellypan on this tractor, and you can see the rear section is already installed.
The entire cab, tractor skirts, hood, bumper, and many other items are vacuum-bagged carbon fiber.
The complete vehicle has been calculated at 0.25 Cd.