Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Aerodynamics
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 04-26-2022, 10:46 AM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Derry New Hampshire
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Tugboat mini camper

Hello, first post from a long time unregistered lurker.
( ok, that didn't sound right).

I need to tow my boat and also wanted a small camper so I am going with this 2007 Isuzu NPR, 109" wheelbase, 5.2 Diesel with 6 speed auto. The box was purpose built for TruGreen lawn maintenance franchisees and is no longer manufactured.

Throwing it out there. What do you think?

Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Screenshot_20220426-101900_Samsung Internet.jpg
Views:	52
Size:	31.7 KB
ID:	32004  
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Diesel NPR For This Useful Post:
Gasoline Fumes (04-30-2022)
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 04-26-2022, 10:54 AM   #2 (permalink)
aero guerrilla
 
Piwoslaw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Posts: 3,691

Svietlana II - '13 Peugeot 308SW e-HDI 6sp
90 day: 58.1 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,268
Thanked 721 Times in 458 Posts
Welcome!
I think the box has potential, especially the already Kamm'ed rear. Extend that with a hitch-mounted boattail for extra cargo (when not hauling your boat), cover the rear wheels and the gap between the cab and box, and it could fit the template quite well.

When towing the boat, I wonder if you could have some fairings on the rear, extending the wake so the trailer is in it. Or mod the trailer to be a boattail extention.

Sorry, got carried away

I wonder how efficient the drivetrain would be for long trips... Are those single or dual wheels in the rear?
__________________
e·co·mod·ding: the art of turning vehicles into what they should be

What matters is where you're going, not how fast.

"... we humans tend to screw up everything that's good enough as it is...or everything that we're attracted to, we love to go and defile it." - Chris Cornell


[Old] Piwoslaw's Peugeot 307sw modding thread
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2022, 11:41 AM   #3 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Derry New Hampshire
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
It's a dually. GVWR is 12500, though I will never load it that heavy. Still it has to have the tires to meet the rating sticker.
I'm thinking of a pool noodle solution to the cab/box gap. Wheel covers at the rear definitely.

How about a front air dam?

I have a lot of weight to pull out of her still. She currently weighs 7750 by the hyway truck scale locally. There's a big tank and pumps and a PTO to remove which I expect weigh hundreds of pounds.

Probably need to skid plate the undercarriage as well.

If I get 15+ mpg towing I'll be doing good.
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2022, 12:44 PM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
freebeard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: northwest of normal
Posts: 27,561
Thanks: 7,736
Thanked 8,554 Times in 7,041 Posts
Welcome.

Talk about streamlining a brick.

I'd ditch the backup mirror. Hows about a pan and tilt dashcam?

For the front corners: ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/pillar-guides-38341.html

For the mirrors:

ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/some-deep-thinking-getting-best-mpg-van-36862-3.html#post580506
__________________
.
.
Without freedom of speech we wouldn't know who all the idiots are. -- anonymous poster

____________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2022, 01:44 PM   #5 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Derry New Hampshire
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
The new back up camera and 10" dash display should be delivered today. Yes, the big mirror on the back corner needs to go.

Those unfortunate postal carriers. Don't they have enough to endure without adding the ugliest vehicles ever produced?
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Diesel NPR For This Useful Post:
freebeard (04-26-2022)
Old 04-26-2022, 03:18 PM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
freebeard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: northwest of normal
Posts: 27,561
Thanks: 7,736
Thanked 8,554 Times in 7,041 Posts
It was just the first pic I found. Here's the bus I ride around town:


southtownerotary.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/emx-bus-at-station-1_lb.jpeg

They're on long arms for situational awareness. Scaled down, you might be able to adapt duckduckgo.com/?q=swan+neck+fender+mirror&iar=images

edit:
Looking for cab corner turning vanes [AKA pillar guides], I found this article: www.driverknowledgetests.com/resources/reduce-fuel-consumption-using-truck-aerodynamic-aids/ that might be helpful.



Others are internal ducts that look like air scoops and appear to function like an air curtain. They're not full height, just a central jet [across the door handles?].
__________________
.
.
Without freedom of speech we wouldn't know who all the idiots are. -- anonymous poster

____________________

Last edited by freebeard; 04-26-2022 at 03:31 PM..
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2022, 09:53 PM   #7 (permalink)
It's all about Diesel
 
cRiPpLe_rOoStEr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Posts: 12,548
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1,622 Times in 1,447 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel NPR View Post
I need to tow my boat and also wanted a small camper so I am going with this 2007 Isuzu NPR, 109" wheelbase, 5.2 Diesel with 6 speed auto.
Already sounds smarter than picking a random V8 rig. But anyway, most likely the tilt-cab makes it harder to get a more seamless transition from the cab to the body in order to improve aerodynamics.
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2022, 12:40 AM   #8 (permalink)
aero guerrilla
 
Piwoslaw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Posts: 3,691

Svietlana II - '13 Peugeot 308SW e-HDI 6sp
90 day: 58.1 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,268
Thanked 721 Times in 458 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel NPR View Post
It's a dually. GVWR is 12500, though I will never load it that heavy. Still it has to have the tires to meet the rating sticker.
Is it possible to re-register as a lighter, non-commercial vehicle? I understand that upping the weight limit would require tests, certification, but going down should be easier. That might allow you to go will single tires, which would reduce rolling resistance and slightly clean up aero.
__________________
e·co·mod·ding: the art of turning vehicles into what they should be

What matters is where you're going, not how fast.

"... we humans tend to screw up everything that's good enough as it is...or everything that we're attracted to, we love to go and defile it." - Chris Cornell


[Old] Piwoslaw's Peugeot 307sw modding thread
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Piwoslaw For This Useful Post:
freebeard (04-27-2022)
Old 04-27-2022, 06:35 AM   #9 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Derry New Hampshire
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Piwoslaw View Post
Is it possible to re-register as a lighter, non-commercial vehicle? I understand that upping the weight limit would require tests, certification, but going down should be easier. That might allow you to go will single tires, which would reduce rolling resistance and slightly clean up aero.
I believe it's a liability risk for the retailer that drives the tire mounting requirements. The GVWR is stamped on the door frame. It's the same when you buy tires for a Corvette. You might never drive 200mph, but you still have to pay for tires that can.

There are Super Singles that will work but seems they are only available in Australia, or there abouts, and are prohibitively expensive. I could also get a set of inner wheels for under $400 and not mount tires on them. I'll need to be confident about the weight rating on the one tire option before I try anything so bold.

Future maybe change out the axle for something with taller gears and more wheel options but that's only if what's there breaks. She runs 2600rpm at 60mph which seems way too high.
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2022, 10:27 AM   #10 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
aerohead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sanger,Texas,U.S.A.
Posts: 15,861
Thanks: 23,922
Thanked 7,207 Times in 4,640 Posts
ISUZU Cabover

Here's a link to NASA's 'Project Shoebox.'
They modified a FORD Econoline van, and reduced the drag coefficient, from around Cd 0.50, to Cd 0.238, with a 'nasty' boat-tail.
Rather than list all they did, I'll just let you experience it for yourself.
PS In the past, truck makers published their Cds. You may be able to find out, roughly, where you're starting from.https://history.nasa.gov/monograph46.pdf

__________________
Photobucket album: http://s1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj622/aerohead2/
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com