Boat tail project based on a single wheel trailer...

[aerohead]

The wake is so small now,and of such high pressure,that little 'vacuum' remains for lofting the splash and spray into the wake.A very good thing if you've followed pickups in the rain.

[BamZipPow]

Wrote down my procedure fer connecting/disconnecting my trailer. I'll have to update it when I git my side gap covers completed or if someone spots a procedural error/omission.

Trailer connect/disconnect and operation

Inspect spare tire and trailer tire. Air up tires as necessary.
Ensure trailer took kit is loaded with all spare parts and tools.
Grease trailer axle via the grease fitting.

To connect the trailer:

Raise aero cap hatch.
Load truck first.
Connect trailer hitch adapter and lock the hitch pin. Do not tighten Hitch Vise!
Connect trailer to hitch adapter. Lock pins in place.
Remove and store rear wheel stabilizers.
Connect trailer safety chains to trailer hitch.
Connect trailer wiring. Confirm lights work.
Unlock landing gear and pin in stored position.
Tighten Hitch Vise with a 9/16” wrench/socket/ratchet.
Trailer can be safely moved with the truck at this time.
Load trailer.
Close and lock trailer lid.
Close aero cap hatch.
Attach upper gap cover and pin in place with aero cap hatch pins. Flip cover onto aero cap hatch.
Double check all trailer connections and pins. Correct as necessary.
Close extended side access doors.
Lock extended sides in place with extended lid. Lock the extended lid in place with lock pins.
Flip upper gap cover down in place.

To disconnect the trailer:

Make sure trailer wheel is in the forward towing position.
Install wheel stabilizers.
Flip upper gap cover on top of aero cap hatch.
Remove locking pins from extended lid. Remove extended lid and stow away.
Open extended side access doors.
Drop landing gear down and lock in place.
Disconnect and stow trailer wiring.
Disconnect and stow trailer safety chains.
Pull and store trailer hitch adapter pins.
Trailer may now be safely moved away from the truck.
After unloading trailer, the extended lid may be stored inside the trailer or locked back in place with the extended side access doors. Store the upper gap cover inside the trailer.

[nemo]

Great idea. Have you done a walk through yet to verify this is the best order? When all bugs are worked out laminate it and affix it to trailer. Then it will readly available any time the trailer is in use.

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by nemo

Great idea. Have you done a walk through yet to verify this is the best order? When all bugs are worked out laminate it and affix it to trailer. Then it will readly available any time the trailer is in use.

Yes...this check list is based on the few times I've setup the trailer with this extension. I had to list the wheel stabilizers as I've already snapped 2 sets of them already.

I will probably change out the rear supports I installed to slide into the extended lid as it's pretty cumbersome to install the lid right now...but it's how I learn by doing.

[aerohead]

The best insurance for microencephalytics like myself who are capable of driving away with loose lug nuts.

[BamZipPow]

It never hurts to have a checklist to go over so you don't learn the hard way and seeing something you designed and built disappear in yer rear view mirror as you drive.

Did a couple of connect/disconnect cycles just so I could git more comfortable with my checklist. Even went through the process of seeing what it takes to git things in/out of the aero cap with the trailer connected.

Spent the day cleaning up the Tyvek and correcting the extended lid supports on the trailer as well as finally spraying adhesive on the aero cap hatch's Tyvek. It's much easier to install the extended lid (about 30 seconds compared to 3 minutes) with less alignment and hassle.

I think I finally have my upper gap cover design figured out. I'll see if my build in the morning will work or not.

Looks like I'll be on the road by Saturday morning. The trailer will be loaded last after it gits hooked up to the truck. The trailer will have all the personal luggage so it will be easier to git personal stuff when we git to our destination.

I should be able to remove the tub after the holiday trip and see what evilness I can do with building up the boat tail design. The next major road trip with the trailer will be in March.

[BamZipPow]

Upper gap cover is in place. Can't really see out the back that well but I will be able to make out shapes during the day and lights at night.




Went on a 60 mile round trip and got an indicated 24.7mpg (23.7 mpg at the midway point) with the speed set to 65mph. I did notice that the back sides were flipping up a little...but overall the gap cover stayed in place. Not too sure how well it will handle cross winds.


The cover is currently 35" wide by 48" long. I'm thinking about cutting the length in half to 24" and adding a metal bar on the end to keep the sides from flipping up. I may eventually add in some side pieces. I'm not going to be able to install the side gap cover in time fer the trip. It happens...

I tried my first iteration with the aero cap hatch clips but found it cumbersome to install. I ended up screwing the bracket into the hatch main rails and initially bolted the gap cover in place since I didn't have any extra clips. A quick run into Lowes on the return leg resolved that issue. Installing/removing the gap cover now only takes about 10 seconds.

[Cd]

Looks like a good time to tuft it to see what is causing the sides to flip up.
It would be nice to see how the air is reacting.
Also, can you eventually take a full body shot from the side with everything in place ?

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by Cd

Looks like a good time to tuft it to see what is causing the sides to flip up.
It would be nice to see how the air is reacting.
Also, can you eventually take a full body shot from the side with everything in place ?

Got no one to help me with shooting video of the tufts...so that's currently not possible to do at this time.

I'll shoot some more piccies in the morning since I still have the trailer hooked up to the truck.

I'll probably cut the upper gap cover down and see if I can use those pieces as the sides fer the upper cover.

[BamZipPow]

Here's some piccies from today...