2011 Prius to get full boat tail w/ faired trailer

[aerohead]

completed preliminary side elevation images of Prius/integrator/trailer this A.M.,made copies first thing here at Copy-Pro today,and will work tonight on plan-view and rear elevation images after I get shop squared away for Viking.
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Also working on a dynamic model of gap-filler mechanism made from cereal box and push-pins which allows 'testing' of concepts.
I think I've 'nailed' the side panel articulation but need to spend a bit more time to prove that I've not gone down an intellectual cul de sac.
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If Al can help me tomorrow,I'll post the side elevation stuff,also Gary's photos.

[botsapper]

Late in the thread, but here's another idea. A one-wheel trailer that could hold any thermo-formed box (custom shaped to your optimum boattail profile). No need for articulation clearances and could completely 'seal' to towing vehicle. Easier to backup and no jack-knifing.
http://motorcycletrailer.com/sw/imag...rrier1-500.jpg
http://www.smarterbuys.com/video1/SWmob1w.mov

[MetroMPG]

Neat! Gets the neurons bubbling.

I imagine it would still need to be able to articulate up & down though (e.g. steep driveway entrance from flat road). Still, easier to solve gap fillers when the thing only moves through one plane.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by botsapper

Late in the thread, but here's another idea. A one-wheel trailer that could hold any thermo-formed box (custom shaped to your optimum boattail profile). No need for articulation clearances and could completely 'seal' to towing vehicle. Easier to backup and no jack-knifing.
http://motorcycletrailer.com/sw/imag...rrier1-500.jpg
http://www.smarterbuys.com/video1/SWmob1w.mov

Sears Roebuck & Co. offered a 1-wheeler long ago.It has a nice cast-metal bumper attachment setup.The box projects back about 4-feet ( 1,200 mm ).Neighbor Bob's father owned one when he was a kid.
*There's a nice one on GOOGLE IMAGES behind a VW Transporter.
*What I don't care for,with respect to this design is the rather small castored-wheel with suspension ( much like the tail-wheel on a tail-dragger aircraft ).
The small diameter means high revs per mile which gets into bearing temperature/lifetime issues.
*The second issue I have is that if you lower the floor of the trailer to respect diffuser angle projection from the tow vehicle bellypan the wheel mechanism intrudes inside the cargo area,spoiling the usable volume.
*The third thing,is that if I pull away from a stop,in a right turn lane to make a turn ( legal in Texas ),at over 8-feet in length ( 2,400mm ),if there is a car to my left waiting at the light,I will rip its right side out with the trailer simply because it does not articulate.

[aerohead]

Here is some of the work-up on Gary's trailer.
I'm not sure about the order they go up with,so I'll comment on them after they're up.
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*1st photo,looking 'downwind',trailer hiding behind car
*2nd photo,2nd-gen Prius with aerodynamic 'insurance policy' to get best 'onset' flow rearward onto gap-fillers/trailer
*3rd photo,Harbor Freight Tools 48"X 40.5" trailer with 12" wheels/tires
*4th photo,trailer body,pushed to 'Template' profile
*5th photo,Trailer and 'integrator' which fills void between car and trailer nose and contacts gap-filler mechanism for panel articulation
*6th photo,2nd-gen Prius image,by Toyota,with side elevation shown in 'true-length' used in lieu of an accurate 3rd-gen side image
NOTE:
* 'Template' position was altered to agree with 3rd-gen Prius 0% roof camber position,while ballasted with 300-pounds dead load ( 136.3 kg )

[NeilBlanchard]

Yes, the single caster wheel meant that it was locked to the car and so it would drive like a long tailed car; backing up would be a breeze. This is precisely what I like about this idea. I would think that a design could be done with a larger wheel that went up into a cylinder in the underside of the floor. The bottom of the "papoose" would have to be flush with the floor of the car, anyway?

[KamperBob]

Originally Posted by aerohead

*3rd photo,Harbor Freight Tools 48"X 40.5" trailer with 12" wheels/tires

That's the same trailer I had years ago. Except mine had 8" wheels which spun welded a bearing at low miles, low load, and low speed. The upsized 12" wheels are a huge improvement.

The other problem I had was both fenders fatigue failed early. Maybe the enclosure will prevent that failure mode too.

Originally Posted by aerohead

*5th photo,Trailer and 'integrator' which fills void between car and trailer nose and contacts gap-filler mechanism for panel articulation

Given the short wheel bases and relatively tall tail height of the Prius (and thus matching nose height of trailer) I'd suggest generous allowance for pitching angle (upwards of course) to prevent the trailer from tagging the car.

I'm particularly curious to see how this rig will look from above.

Rock on!

[SwamiSalami]

This project is too interesting.

I'm curious, though, did your prius need a trailer to begin with for extra storage? Or is this exclusively to improve aerodynamics?

Have you considered making the "aero-trailer" have a "fifth wheel" electric motor as well?

all the best

[Vekke]

You could put that trailer to use and add some extra batteries there. extra electric motor is a little bit more challenging to manufacture, but power feed to prius electric motors arent so difficult task.

In europe you are not allowed to tow anything on Prius is it allowed in the states?

[SwamiSalami]

That's a good idea!