Aero mod advice for 1G Insight

[BongoBennie]

For those familiar with the 1G insight, I want to remove the spare tire box from the rear of the car and also trim the body pretty much removing the black trim in the picture. The reason Im doing this is to attach a trailer hitch in the 5th wheel position so my custom trailer will ride much closer to the car. My question is...

***Can I turn this mod into one that will actually help in aero efficiency when not towing?***

Incase you are wondering I will have supporting drivetrain including brake mods to support towing and while MPG is important, it isn't a primary goal.

I included a pic of what inspires the idea with out all the race bling.

[BongoBennie]

While I have no replies, I have spent this time doing some googling and with my trailer goals, I would love to hollow out my rear end in the red shaded areas to expose a hitch centered between the rear wheels. While the examples are very bold and racy, I will try and make this as subtle as possible.... Since my primary goal will be met by doing this, I want to maximize the mod so it will benefit MPG while not towing...... more importantly I don't want to make it worse. Any opinions ?

[aerohead]

That trim is part of the Insights low drag.I'd recommend you leave it.

[BongoBennie]

Maybe true, but I am doing it and Im looking for the best way to go about it.

[aerohead]

Are you placing the '5th-wheel' position through the hatch and over the rear axle,or just doing a receiver hitch?
If you're doing a receiver hitch,you might just find a salvage Insight rear fascia and cut a hole in it to allow a modified Thule receiver to penetrate through it.There would be no need to mutilate the diffuser/valance area,which if you do,will negatively affect your highway mpg.

[BongoBennie]

I want the hitch center to the rear axle line or as close as possible, The trailer will be specific to the car and like I said, this is my ultimate goal. I was looking at trimming at different levels to accommodate the trailer tongue but looking at many cars online, my common sense would say the rear diffuser would actually be a benefit, I mean as aero as the car is, there is always roof for improvement. No?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by BongoBennie

I want the hitch center to the rear axle line or as close as possible, The trailer will be specific to the car and like I said, this is my ultimate goal. I was looking at trimming at different levels to accommodate the trailer tongue but looking at many cars online, my common sense would say the rear diffuser would actually be a benefit, I mean as aero as the car is, there is always roof for improvement. No?

Okay,now I get it on the hitch!
I feel like what Honda has done with the Insight is already pretty good as far as the diffuser goes.
As to the trailer itself,here's a concept I came up with

The idea was to have lower drag while pulling the trailer,than without it.If I ever make it to the wind tunnel,I'll have something definitive to say about it.

[cowmeat]

Ecky's the only guy I ever saw add a trailer hitch to his Insight. His thread shows how it's attached and might help you figure out if a diffuser can be added

[BongoBennie]

Did you draw that? Its one of the pics that i keep in my inspire folder.... I want to meet that idea half way and if I could get 35-40 mpg pulling a custom yet functional mini RV, (teardrop in the sense but maybe not in shape), Im happy

[BongoBennie]

I also have Ideas of a pusher trailer that this would lean into. Funny thing about the insight is it reminds me of a Dodge Viper when underneath. Unibody delight with two big ole chassis beams to do just about anything you want with.