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

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

I myself would just hang a curtain on the trailer sides. What ever else going on under there, I can't forsee making much change.

What do you mean by hanging curtains? Extend Dark Aero's sides all the way down to the ground?

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Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

It would be interesting to say the least, to find out the effects of diamond-plate on the aerodynamics compared to a smoothier sheetmetal.

The aluminum diamond plate is pretty sturdy when compared to same thickness of aluminum sheeting. I know they make different strengths/grades in various alloys but they seem to be a bit more expensive when compared to the aluminum diamond plate that I am currently sourcing. If I design the belly pan correctly, I can also flip the diamond side towards the inside if I git the notion to compare the differences of the diamonds facing inwards or outwards. Not quite ABA but it's a possibility. I think the differences would be a wash since there is the ground effect that would influence the numbers.

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Originally Posted by freebeard

Why not aluminum skinned coroplast?

https://search.yahoo.com/search?p=aluminum+coroplast

What is the price differential between the two? A 4'x8' of 1/16" aluminum diamond plate is about $90 at my local metal supply store. I can also git a 4'x10' of 1/16" aluminum diamond plate off of craigslist fer the same price.

How durable is the aluminum skinned Coroplast? It has to be able to withstand road debris impacts. My current Coroplast belly pan has seen better days and is near the end of its lifespan on Dark Aero.

[freebeard]

Use a bicycle tail light so you can set it to strobe.

https://search.yahoo.com/search?p=wh...+wheels+wobble

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Originally Posted by freebeard

Use a bicycle tail light so you can set it to strobe.

https://search.yahoo.com/search?p=wh...+wheels+wobble

The light I'm using has the ability to strobe.
https://www.brightz-ltd.com/product/go-brightz-red/

As far as the caster on my single wheel, I can adjust it by raising or lowering the front of Dark Aero within a range of 5". I currently run with the pins in the middle setting.

[BamZipPow]

So, I've been thinking about the next transition fer my boat tail project and apply what I've learned from this single wheel platform.

Build a strong frame and a lightweight body with the length the same with Dark Aero attached (about 7' long).
Have it attach to the truck at least two points.
Allow the boat tail to swing up but not down with limiters/gussets on the pivot point. Build in either some roller wheels or a durable skid plate fer the times the tail impacts the ground during dips/driveway departures.
Air shocks to keep the boat tail from cycling while traveling but allowing the boat tail to flex up during ground impacts.
Gap covers between the truck and boat tail similar to what I have now.

The boat tail will have wheels to allow fer movement/alignment when not attached to the truck.

I know that the storage weight limit (maybe half of what it is now) will be much less than with the single wheel platform but there will be less mass, mechanical components, and potential issues as well.

I won't have to worry about the boat tail being classed as a trailer since there it won't be "towed" with any wheels on the ground.

Yes, the boat tail will have all the requirements that the rear part of a vehicle has to have.

[freebeard]

The light I'm using has the ability to strobe...
As far as the caster on my single wheel, I can adjust it...

Sounds well sorted.

Two pieces of angle iron joined with a piano hinge. With the hinge line at the top it will be self-limiting over it's entire width.

My vote is for a skid, like on an old tail-dragger airplane. ....or the X-15.

[BamZipPow]

The pivot pin mechanism for the new boat tail concept will be very sturdy as a piano hinge will not be able to handle the stress from the road. It will borrow a lot from the current custom bar hitch. It will look very similar to the bar extensions from the VMH trailers.

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Seems VMH Trailers' website is no longer in service.

Luckily, I saved a copy of the extension bar which is based on a 2" square tube. I believe the red bit is a polyurethane bushing with a steel core center.

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The new wheel pant and nose begins to take shape...