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If I'm to understand correctly, what I really need is a compound curve so as to not create vortices at the corners and sharp edges.
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The shape you circled would have good airflow in a headwind, but fall apart in crosswind conditions. The edges are problematic in the direction of flow but a <10° break at right angles to the flow won't be. From the thread I pointed to:
Simple curves with sheet materials. The break-over angle varies between ~120° and 0 from bottom to top. An experiment with joining sheet materials:
A flexible H-shaped strip captures the edges in the join that runs across the curve. In both cases only the edge is rolled on an arbitrarily large piece. But, you say, I only have wood and it's too thick to steam and bend.
Geodesic construction approximates a sphere with flat pieces. The pieces, be they triangles, diamonds or hexagons, have a taper like a cork in a bottle. Lots of angle cuts and edge joins with this one.
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Do you think a level, rounded roof at 44" high, with no front to back taper, would have less drag than a flat roof with hard edges, a peak at 44", tapering to 32" at the back?
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I interpret this as a curve running lengthwise (shepherd) vs crosswise (teardrop). Maybe aerohead knows. It will depend on the wind shadow of the tow vehicle, edge radii, etc.
Another question you might ask is rear entrance
vs side entrance. In you case, would you rather crawl onto the foot of the mattress or the side.
A side entrance:
That's a double side door with only the front one open. Not like crawling into a dark hole at all. A rear entrance:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/143100-SOLD-2007-Airstream-Basecamp
Have you searched for other threads? Because there're lots of them
http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...p;d=1330024093
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/trailer-shape-better-20662.html <--eleven pages.
Wood strips and tongue-and-groove would need to be tapered for a compound curve. Not an impossible task.
Plywood bulkheads, wood strips and shingles laid like fish scales.
