aerodynamics & 5th wheels

[AndyL]

Oh I've got idear's ™ for boat tail later but we've got 3 days to reseal the roof and play with aerodynamics, I've got materials here to extend the cab, and build a deflector (thinking 1pc unit) possibly toneau & maybe get a few quick test runs on the highway - to do some go/no go final decisions...

fully extending to the trailer - with collapsible sides, not so workable in the timeframe available.

All our spots are tight dunno if you can see the truck camper in the background - its got more pinstripes from trees than I would ever be able to fix... We don't tend to go where other people are...

[AndyL]

Front hoop bent, going with 1/2" emt on lighter gauge steel frame, skinning with a hammered finish aluminium sheet (just happen to have a dozen or so 20x30ish pieces around...

Guess since there's no input from here, I'll bend the rear hoop with the same general profile, just 2' taller?

[KamperBob]

Andy, IMHO a gap filler is your low fruit. A wide open bed fills with separation bubble effect. Actually two bubbles. Mirror image vertical plane down center. Sides and top wash back. Up wash behind cab. Yes down wash under nose back to tailgate. Little eddies behind add a bit more flow up over the tailgate. Flows forward also on the bed bottom. It's all about flow balance and boundary condition continuity.

Note your loft nose is angled and the top edge is radiused. I wouldn't bother with a high deflector for profile effect. In plan view you have sharp sides so bow splash around both sides. You could add on to the nose instead. Make it hollow for storage with sides that open. Over the ball is a great place for extra weight stability wise. That's where I put my generator. Does both actually. Otherwise gap over pin is value lost.

Quick reply. Rough I know. Food for thought?

[KamperBob]

I don't have any pix handy of my whole rig in profile in present configuration with panel up. This off-side front angle views give some idea though. Gap is sub foot scale now.





Camera phone quality not the greatest...

[AndyL]

We don't need no steenkinn genset have 180w of solar on the roof probably have a micro lenz2 soon (just down to building a tripod/pole) keeps us happy and not needing hookups (not that we go to places that have them)

Yeah, formed the rear hoop and went... wow that's big... it doesn't ever seem so big in sketchup... so probably just cut it down some and skin it, call it done.

[skyking]

Have you jacknifed the trailer hard over to determine where to place that second hoop?

[AndyL]

Wish I could... 2 week old truck... (well 3 now) down for 2 weeks for a new transmission... Rental doesn't exactly have a hitch

Wont be crunching it with the trailer though... Shouldn't be an issue, for any real maneuvering, I've got to slide the hitch back for clearance between the bumper & jacks, that'll leave me a theoretical 8" clearance even at >90deg.

Oh that bad idear about reworking this winter? see att'd...

[skyking]

Sounds like a good plan. Keep it close for cruising, then get your fairing clearance along with your bumper clearance.

[KamperBob]

Andy, what do you know about that B&W tear drop photo?



I smell a good story.

BTW, I wasn't pushing generator use for you or anyone else. My point was gap filler. A cubby for gear? Chairs, grill, etc...

[AndyL]

Its a '35 airstream torpedo, plan built airstream that just has a really sweet shape. the original plans have been posted in a few places now, although I'm not sure one would want to build them that way anymore...



This is my 2nd favorite trailer design

Kamperbob - yup following the theory, just have to pull out the cheech "we don't need no steeeeenkin" every now and then lol - other than a cooler I can't think of anything I'd want to put up there...