Another Radical Idea

[Angel And The Wolf]

Forget this design. I've superseded it with a trailer. (See permalink #13)

[Frank Lee]

Of course that can be done provided it's built stout enough. Not sure I'd want to drive around with that heavy a tail unless it provided another use like good strong cargo carrying capacity that would actually get used.

[freebeard]

These radical ideas all follow a theme.

Compare to a higher tail that gets you the departure angle you want, and has a flying wheel that only has contact before the boat tail proper ground-strikes. Since it doesn't have to carry the weight for three wheels, it could be lighter.

[Angel And The Wolf]

Edited. See Permalink #13

[Hersbird]

What would be really radical would be to make it strong enough and always in contact with the ground carrying the rear weight. Then remove the entire rear suspension, smooth the openings and have a trike.

[Grant-53]

There is a trade off between fuel saved by improved drag reduction and lost from the increased weight penalty. Decide how much cargo capacity and access you need in the rear. Consider a tub structure rather than a beam support.

[Angel And The Wolf]

See my new design for the linkage at Permalink #13

[redpoint5]

What is the advantage of the wheel? When it isn't touching the ground, it's placing extra stress on the frame, and when it is hitting the ground, it's due to lack of clearance, which places a great deal of stress on the frame.

Commercial airlines don't use tail wheels, but instead leave sufficient clearance to maneuver.

I'd say go with the KISS principle.

EDIT: Nevermind, I get the purpose. Design the most aero efficient angle on the tail and mitigate the issue of tail strikes.

What about placing the tail on a spring loaded hinge so that a friction surface on the bottom of it strikes the ground and moves the whole thing up, and then returns to position once clearance is no longer an issue? Better to move the smaller, lighter object than to make the whole vehicle conform to it, right?

[oldtamiyaphile]

Trailer hitches are designed for down loads of around 200lbs. This design would be a good way to bend chassis rails or rip the attachment points clean out of the chassis.

[Angel And The Wolf]

OK, I'm going back to the one wheel U-joint stabilized trailer. Forget the drawing below. See Permalink #13