Another truck aero cap idea...

[t vago]

A domed cover may reduce the strength of the vortex cones that will form in the wake of your truck. Then again, you may run into clearance issues when you open and close your hatch.

[BamZipPow]

Learning from the earlier versions...

So I'm thinking...how to setup the rear window. I'm thinking a piano hinge attached to some more Lexan that's below the metal stud. Incorporate a center latching/locking setup like what you would find on a camper top. This would allow me to unlatch, flip the rear window up enough to open/drop the tailgate down without lifting the entire cap up. This would allow me to use the hatch to keep others from opening the tailgate...since ours don't have a factory locking setup.

The previous versions had a static window which required me to have the hatch as high as possible to clear the bottom of the window. With the hinged window, I should be able to clear it without worrying about smacking the bottom of the window with something.

If I go with the domed version...my rear view is much better. If I go flat, I'll be left with the hinged window. More brainstorming to do...

[BamZipPow]

Got the basic cover tacked down...now fer the cap!

[BamZipPow]

Got the top cover on...need to make some adjustments, trimming, and fastening it down. I need to git the rear window and front edge marked up and cut so I can fasten the cover on.





I still have to figure out how to secure the lid from flying open when I'm travelling...might have to go with just a pin/clip fer now.

[BamZipPow]

Lid is secured by the center spar, a few screws, and some Gorilla tape fer now as I have driving duties to perform. The hatch is screwed down on the stops to keep it from opening so I can take care of some stuff.

[graydonengineering]

Cool! Can't wait to see how it performs for ya.

[eco_generator]

Nice work so far.

[BamZipPow]

The domed cap worked well on my first iteration...wasn't gonna hack it on this one. So I dropped the center support to flatten it out a bit. Still slightly domed but not as high now. Moved the 3rd brake light to the back edge so it's more visible.







Put in some brackets on the back end so I could secure the cap from flying open. Won't stop thieves at the moment...which is okay since there isn't anything in the bed fer them to steal.

[BamZipPow]

Side view...


Rear view...


Got my adjustable lights reinstalled on the hatch. I did notice that the 3rd brake light bounces (since it's mounted on the Coroplast)...so I need to do something about that tomorrow.

[BamZipPow]

Found some metal "J" channel edging at Home Depot...it's gonna be my drip guard/gutter that will capture any water that gits in between the hatch and the sides and channel it to the backside.

Of course...it rained today before I found it and of course...the bed got all wet. At least I knew ahead of time that the hatch wasn't water-tight so there wasn't anything in the bed at the time.

I just need to trim the rest of the Coroplast that's hanging over the edge and then secure the "J" channel in place. It will slide in between the 2x3 wood and the Coroplast. I love it when a plan comes together....

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053