Aerodynamic trailer design

[BamZipPow]

Put a supporting strip of wood behind the Coroplast so it can't slide down and in. I can't tell which part of the trailer this is from yer piccie. Is this the front of the nose where you have a wood strip on the front?

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

Put a supporting strip of wood behind the Coroplast so it can't slide down and in. I can't tell which part of the trailer this is from yer piccie. Is this the front of the nose where you have a wood strip on the front?

Yes, that's correct. That's a picture of the nose from the front. You're seeing the driver's side.

[BamZipPow]

Any thought on an inflatable nose?

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

Any thought on an inflatable nose?

My immediate reaction is, "how the would I construct it?"

100% filling the void space between trailer and car would be excellent, but I'm uncertain how to even approach that.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Ecky

My immediate reaction is, "how the would I construct it?"

100% filling the void space between trailer and car would be excellent, but I'm uncertain how to even approach that.

My initial proof of concept for an inflatable structure involved a shallow wooden box with a section of bean-bag chair envelope stapled to its perimeter.
A Bosch 12-VDC ventilation fan from a VW Westfalia Campmobile was used for inflation and tensioning.
A long pigtail ran under the vehicle to the engine compartment and alligator clips on the two leads attached to a ground strap and positive post of the battery.
With power on,the bag inflated in a few seconds,and it was stiff enough to resist deformation during driving.
Later,I fabricated a full-scale mockup of a properly shaped envelope and used it as a pattern to cut and sew the second envelope.
This second,longer (4-feet) envelope,'wagged' up and down,so I ran a cantilevered suppport under its length.No more wag.

[BamZipPow]

Maybe you could git a cheap twin Aerobed on Craigslist and use that? You'll need an AC inverter to run the pump so you can inflate it. You'll need to provide some wear protectors so the rubbing won't kill the mattress.

Here's some in Houston fer $25 each...
air mattress (3)

[BamZipPow]

Here's a lot of 3 never used rechargeable Aerobed pumps on eBay...
Lot 3 Aerobed Rechargeable Ni CD Pump Model 109DC Has AC Adapter Car Charger | eBay

[freebeard]

Hah!
...
Incredible looking trailer. I'd love to build something like that one day.

There're a number of them. Here's two from my 'Pieces and parts' album:

Actually, I'm thinking of taking ~4 sheets of coroplast per wheel with a bit of metal framing, bending them, and making a rough teardrop that just sits over the stock fenders.

I have had an idea for some time that needs to be documented (maybe the next time I'm frustrating myself with the 3D modelling programs). Three or 4 lens-shaped pieces, the top one fixed, the others hinged at the front and back. They would be shingled and retract up under the top pieces for access for tire changes, etc.

My immediate reaction is, "how the would I construct it?"

100% filling the void space between trailer and car would be excellent, but I'm uncertain how to even approach that.

Fight air pressure with air pressure. My thought is inner tubes trussed up with polyproplene rope. a big one in the middle, a pair of smaller ones to each side, and scooter tire inner tubes bracing those.

[Ecky]

Update!

I'm trying not to buy anything since my move-date is so near, but I found a use for some scraps that otherwise would have gone to the recycler.

The wheel-skirts are made of some bits of scrap aluminum sheeting I had, patched together and reinforced with some aluminum flat to hold it away from the tires.

Replacing the tire might be more annoying now, but it's really not much more than a few screws.

[skyking]

telling the air "just move along, nothing to see here"