2019 RAV4 Hybrid Limited

[freebeard]

What I have done is use redwood strips to mock up contours.

I'd start by placing something with thickness to show tire clearance over the wheel and tire and then tape strips to the bottom edge and that raised rocker panel character line to see how much bulge you'll need.

That recessed panel could be pulled out and the character line may clear so you can just undulate the lower part.

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Originally Posted by GK13

How do you think I can go about making the rear wheel skirts look like that? I think it could be done, but would need to be done right in order to last and be useable for tire changes and such.

Fiberglass and a lot of time spent making it look presentable.

[MetroMPG]

Is the Rav4 Hybrid the new Prius?

The sales numbers would seem to say so. I wonder if the owners are as enthusiastic about MPG as early Prius owners were.

[freebeard]

I took a look at one of these in a grocery store parking lot. Sure enough, the back of the tire hangs out of the body lines.

It would be a Turnpike-cruiser style bubble skirt. The recess panel becomes a problem.

[GK13]

When I look at mine, the wheel seems to sit inside the wheel well enough that a panel could be put in place. I'll have to look into it with more detail and time to come up with a prototype.

What about a front air dam? I know that its all smoothed pretty much underneath but is raised up fairly high off the ground. I don't really want the expense of having to lower the vehicle and sacrifice ride comfort.

[MetroMPG]

Only way to know for sure is to test it.

I've found air dams have helped on multiple vehicles, even ones that extend well below the lowest underbody component: Firefly/Metro, Mirage, Micra, Miata. (Hmmm... lot's of "M" cars!)

I tested the air dams on these either with multiple coast-down runs, or with multiple constant-speed MPG runs. Always tested on the same route, same day (same ambient conditions).

But on one vehicle I tested, an air dam appeared to make things worse: 2004 Toyota Prius.


Moral of the story: make one and test it out!

[GK13]

I’m looking at what it would take to do an integrates boat tail from the rear wheel skirts. Maybe have them come off of some OEM mudguards. What do you think?

[freebeard]

A proper boat tail covers the full width and height of the tail. A hitch receiver or underbody difusser might be a better foundation.

A boat tail can just underlap the skirt, so it is separately removable.

[GK13]

Ok. Thank you. Now, do the window visors add drag? or do they not really effect anything? Haven't seen a conclusive answer yet.

[GK13]

After looking at the back of the RAV4, it seems it ever so slightly has a boat tail to it. I’m curious now, if I was to somehow extend it, if that would help anything? And how to do it without blocking visibility? Maybe out of thicker plea glass or the like?