Quote:
Originally Posted by bennelson
I love the idea of a flexible gap filler between the car and trailer.
I have thought about that almost ever since I built my teardrop. I still haven't been able to think of an ideal material to do that with.
It has to be flexible, (so you can make turns!) yet not be flapping in the breeze the whole time. The best I can think of is something like Spandex, which would be pulled snug, but still have enough give for turns.
I would imagine snaps would be the best way to attach it, although Velcro could work too.
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I wanted to throw out an idea,yet unrealized for both the 1 and 2-wheel trailers.I will attempt four rigid panels,hinged at the rear of the car,projecting horizontally rearward.When the trailer is straight,the panels "nest" together,held in slight tension by an interlaced cable/pulley system with spring tensioner.In-line skate wheels project beneath the trailing edge of each panel,just touching the forward face of the trailer,which is wedge-shaped.------------------------
As the vehicle turns and the trailer pivots,the appropriate roller forces it's panel to swing away,riding up the wedge to allow clearance for the turn (much as basjoos and Darin's rigid front wheel skirts),acting against spring tension.-----------------
After the turn is negotiated,the panel recedes to its "stowed"position,pulled back in by the cable/pulley/spring.-----------------------
All the panels contact one another with chamfered 45-degree edges which cannot bind,and remain nested until the next turn event.-------------
Likewise,any "vertical" event is handled above and under ( like rolling over railroad tracks,steep driveways,etc.),with cable/pulley/spring raising the lower panel,the top panel aided by gravity alone.---------------------------
I meant to have all this on the 1-wheel trailer for the test,but as it happens,reality intruded upon my dreams,and at the alloted moment,had to leave,ready or not.-------------------------
Test data for 18-wheelers have shown this gap to be profitable if sealed and I have to believe it would also pay dividends to ecomodders,regardless of how it is accomplished.