Good question.
Just going off the fundamentals I would say more bang for the buck (
and fabrication time wise) going a little higher than 48" and allowing a gentle 5-10 degree receding roof slope is going to do more than anything else.
EDIT:
While looking for a proper image I found a related thread in another forum that may be of interest.
https://www.dieselbombers.com/towing...o-trailer.html
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Do the V-nose cargo trailers do any better?
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Quote:
Uncle Bubba
This is a controversey in the trailer industry. Common sence would say that it would be a huge help over the flat front trailers. Wind tunnel studies have shown very little difference though because of the dead air area at the rear of your tow vehicle. The front of the trailer is so to speak, riding in the wake.
To make this even more confusing the real drag of the trailer actually comes from the rear of it. The flat top and sides on conventional trailers creates a vaccuum at the back of the trailer that actually is pulling you backwards. In Europe where fuel prices have been insane since the end of WWII, several trailer manufacturers have compensated for this on their enclosed trailers. We have been spoiled in this country though and most didn't really care about mileage, just a big truck with a big trailer. To see an example of this technology you can look up Brenderup Horse Trailers. They are the only company in this country that I know of using this in their trailers. They are 1-2 horse trailers that are specifically designed to be pulled safely behind a even a 4 cylinder car. From personal experience I can tell you that I have had people using mine that have loaded 2 draft horses in it and pull it with a mini van and it is amazingly easy to handle and stop.
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Again, if you follow the fundamentals, an aero-cap on the pick-up truck is going to do more.
Are you at least planning on using a tonneau cover?
EDIT-2:
Looking at the original images I was assuming there was a roof, but if so - how does it open? Will sloping such a roof pose as an issue for hinges and air-springs?
We need to more about this proposed design, just have front and sides, no info on top, bottom and rear where a box cavity may be of use.
Is the F-150 tow vehicle stock?