Aero RV (custom boat tail for '95 Ford E-350 Class C motorhome)

[aerohead]

I ran across these photos.Considering the underslung electronics pod and underslung storage pod,it gives us insight into the minds of aeronautical engineers' solutions to excrescence drag
*2015 Quest Kodiac Air Claw ISR

*2015 Cessna 208 B Grand Caravan EX

*orbywan's fairing is a superior solution to both of these in my opinion.

[slowmover]

Btt

[aerohead]

His a reminder of orbywan's handiwork

[aerohead]

I ran across this online and sent it to AeroStealth for his consideration,with respect to his upcoming RV 5th-wheel boat tail project

As you can see,by tidying up the underside of the trailer,a cleaner onset flow is delivered to the tail region,upping the overall drag reduction.
AeroStealth's RV is already belly-panned and has lower sides than a conventional Trailer van,so he's got a shot at a better drag reduction than a semi.

[skyking]

I was up on a ladder looking at my AC unit and thinking of orbywan's good work.
Thanks for building it and putting these things out here to think about.

[Hersbird]

I actually just bought a new "traditional" travel trailer as well and immediately frowned on the nasty AC unit sitting up there. Mine is a "hybrid" at least, also called an expandible. It is full height but has a tent pop out on the front and the back. The back pop up also immediately made me question if it would act as a boat tail if you left it down while moving. Even the front one down might make for a good truck to trailer gap filler. At least it's belly is skinned in colorplast and it uses torsion axles.

[skyking]

No kidding hersbird. It would not hurt to have the back popped out, aerodynamically at least.

[Hersbird]

I still have the Hi-Lo as well. Now I want to either pull the factory top off of that and do my dream "template" style upper out of fiberglassed foam, or change it into a normal popup camper with queen slide out beds on front and back and canvas walls, or add an open deck for a couple ATVs or motorcycles, strengthen the frame, and relocate the axles (probably just replace them) and make it a toy hauler. I might just leave it as is for when just 2 or 3 are going camping, but I should probably just sell it. Not until after July as we are planning a camping trip with our Seattle family. 15 people and we will use both campers as well as a big tent. I wonder if my Hi-Lo will hitch behind the Solaire for a road train?... just kidding. Actually legal here but I wouldn't do it with anything more then about 1000 pounds and only if I also put a camera back there.

[HHOTDI]

hersbird=
that would be so cool looking though! I live in Northern Idaho and often work in western Mt(Superior+DeBorgia). I have seen many of those "doubles" in Mt and ID, but only in Wa with an appropriate CDL. :{)

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

I actually just bought a new "traditional" travel trailer as well and immediately frowned on the nasty AC unit sitting up there. Mine is a "hybrid" at least, also called an expandible. It is full height but has a tent pop out on the front and the back. The back pop up also immediately made me question if it would act as a boat tail if you left it down while moving. Even the front one down might make for a good truck to trailer gap filler. At least it's belly is skinned in colorplast and it uses torsion axles.

I suspect that turbulence would destroy them within the first mile.If they had air pressure inside,that would help stabilize them (some US ICBMs used pressurized envelopes to mitigate aeroelastic/flutter destruction).
Otherwise,they need a rigid skin.