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

[slowmover]

Skirts would do more, IMO.

Today’s TTs with slideouts are hideously tall.

That which prevents air from getting underneath from the side is highway-proven now with big trucks. Handling is much better.

Skirts are also “easy” versus modding the body.

Have a look at the structure holding the skirt on one of these trailers (53’ van) sometime.

[93Cobra#2771]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Skirts would do more, IMO.

Today’s TTs with slideouts are hideously tall.

That which prevents air from getting underneath from the side is highway-proven now with big trucks. Handling is much better.

Skirts are also “easy” versus modding the body.

Have a look at the structure holding the skirt on one of these trailers (53’ van) sometime.

Biggest issue with skirting is underside access. There would need to be swingout panels to access dump connection, plus all gate valves (I have three, for example).

Other thing to think about is the bottom of most modern campers is already very smooth except for the axle assemblies themselves. They are sealed front to back with coreplast, and along a few drain assemblies stick down.

[slowmover]

[QUOTE=93Cobra#2771;595743]Biggest issue with skirting is underside access. There would need to be swingout panels to access dump connection, plus all gate valves (I have three, for example).

Other thing to think about is the bottom of most modern campers is already very smooth except for the axle assemblies themselves. They are sealed front to back with coreplast, and along a few drain assemblies stick down

Too high off of ground, which is the salient point. What needs fixing. Tank dumps and drain valves aren’t a hindrance.

[freebeard]

[/QUOTE]

Approach, breakover and departure angles?

On 4-6 wheels, one could have an active air/hydraulic suspension with a pendulum controller to make it always seek level. That would work for parking, then you could stance it for freeway travel.

[skyking]

these trailers are far higher than needed for those clearances. I often wonder if its just to be higher than the neighbors in cordwood campground.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by skyking

these trailers are far higher than needed for those clearances. I often wonder if its just to be higher than the neighbors in cordwood campground.

Clearance angles are easy enough.

Floors are too high due to slide-out mechanisms.

The best non-aero TT of days past was the HOLIDAY RAMBLER. Use it as comp in all ways to “see” today’s.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Clearance angles are easy enough.

Floors are too high due to slide-out mechanisms.

The best non-aero TT of days past was the HOLIDAY RAMBLER. Use it as comp in all ways to “see” today’s.

Right, my slide out is the whole side including the wheel aera and the slide has it's own floor which is the same height as the rest of the floor. The only way that works is to build the camper completely deck over the wheels with no wheel wells.

On a side note I picked this up for free off a buddy who bought a semi to tow his new massive 5th wheel. This deflector was higher than he wanted and the 5th wheel has it's own pretty aerodynamic front. Now to figure out what to do with it. It's 7.5' wide and 3' tall. Make a boat tail on my existing camper? Use it in my camp kitchen trailer I want to build? Cut it down and make a aero bed cap for a pickup? Cut it down and use it as an air deflecting/rooftop cargo carrier when towing the camper?

[freebeard]

Porch roof.

[slowmover]

Nice gift. Off an old FLD?

Front of the trailer. Top leading edge. A vertical turning vane down trailer front.

Fairings rest of way for roof junk.

Section it as required.

For FE, raising the TT height not good, but breaking up that blunt entry great.

Changing the TT to DEXTER Torsion Axles should be priority. That’s a fully independent suspension. Work with the dealer and factory on how low you can go. That axle type fan ordered to get this right. (Plus about one-Dozen parts versus more than 200 with leaf).

.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Porch roof.

LOL, that probably is what it will be, or a dog house. Actually it would make an great Mors "super shelter" with transparent sheeting in the front and a fire built just outside, inside lined with emergency blankets to reflect heat back inside. Little heavy and awkward to pack in very far.
The guy that gave it to me said he wanted to put it in front of his snowmobiles on their trailer to keep the rocks off them. I bet I could build/modify a snowmobile trailer like that and just make some money as I don't have any snowmobiles.