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

[bentring]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Since they do last long in those Indian tricycles, usually overloaded by the way, that single-wheel trailer might not be overkill for it.

A bit of looking online shows that most Vespa models have between 700-800 pound load capacity. For something that is mainly meant to be aerodynamic and not have much load I think I would agree that a front fork could be used.

[freebeard]

I think aerohead will vouch for the fact that part of the problem is keeping it on the ground.

maybe a horizontal elevator with linkage tied to the bottom shock mount?

[BamZipPow]

The issue I have found is tuning the suspension with the load you are running with. If you setup the boat tail with no extra cargo (static weight/mass), then tuning yer shocks will be a whole lot easier than loading it up. Through my trials, you will need some sort of weight and dampening to keep the back end from popping up and down due to the bumps in the road.

The smaller shocks don't have a large amount of an oil reservoir and will fade quicker due to the amount of air bubbles that will build up in the shock oil compared to a bigger oil reserve shock.

[freebeard]

https://www.google.com/search?q=vespa+racing+shock

[FordCrew]

I really enjoy your work! Now I need to put my ideas into action. How long do you think I can safely go without having too much swing or violating some traffic law. I'm thinking of 12' from the bumper of my vehicle. I'm playing with a camper idea that will follow the slipstream of a mini van for long distance travel (2000 mi one way).

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by FordCrew

I really enjoy your work! Now I need to put my ideas into action. How long do you think I can safely go without having too much swing or violating some traffic law. I'm thinking of 12' from the bumper of my vehicle. I'm playing with a camper idea that will follow the slipstream of a mini van for long distance travel (2000 mi one way).

Have you visited Single Wheel? The Heilite trailer setup might be an ideal platform to base yer trailer on.
Welcome to Single Wheel.com

The maximum trailer length from back end of the tow vehicle is about 7-8' but is really dependent on the distance from the rear wheels. The length of the attachment arm from the trailer to the tow vehicle will depend in how tall yer trailer will be. Obviously, the taller the trailer is, the more length you will need from the tow vehicle. The long length will require you to have some very strong and robust attachment arms if yer trailer has some significant weight to it. Yer attachment points should be as wide as possible to minimize the amount of yaw deflection yer trailer will have.

[FordCrew]

I've been checking out singlewheel.com and have found some ideas but I'm looking to over-complicate things to close up the gap between tow vehicle and trailer. Has anyone looked into bringing your pivot point up to about mid vehicle height and joining the two shapes with a ball and cup joint for minimal aerodynamic disturbance? Do the single wheels go into a shimmy like farm equipment caster type wheels?

[freebeard]

Has anyone looked into bringing your pivot point up to about mid vehicle height and joining the two shapes with a ball and cup joint for minimal aerodynamic disturbance?

I've thought about it. And also a variant where the hitch height is raised to minimize the accordion pleats required.

My conclusion was that the hitch height needs to be about the level of the rear axle. Higher and the lever arm will load and unload the front axle. Same with a 5th wheel; if you move away from the axle line it will induce self-steering.

In my mind, anyway. So—a half-ball and socket centered down low. Keeping it small would minimize the cavity in the tow vehicle, which would require the depth (behind the hitch) to be half the width.
___

I wonder about half-circular overlapping plates like an Armadillo.

[FordCrew]

Thanks for your insight. I got caught up in proximity to vehicle and forgot about simple physics. Back to the drawing board! I like the 1 wheel idea because then I only need to address 1 plane of motion.

Does anyone experience wheel shimmy like farm equipment? I have harrow sets and side delivery rakes I'm always slowing down for to stop the wheel from shaking violently, not to mention shopping carts and wheel chairs!

[freebeard]

I'd look to incline the single-wheel pivot, so that to reverse the wheel would try to lift the trailer a little, to see if it would improve self-center.*

VW eventually added a steering damper to counteract that tendency in their front end.

* Maybe OP will have something to add.