Full-boat-tail trailer with gap-fillers for Toyota T-100 pickup

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I also missed this thread first time around. Another interesting project, Phil.

Darin,I've been wanting to do this since 1991,when I went to the Solar 500 in Phoenix.Two teams drove from L.A.to Arizona,with EVs pulling "range-extender" generator trailers(The DEMI CRX and Volvo).They didn't understand about streamlining the trailer for extra range.So maybe something like this could go behind FrankenSwift to make it a "hybrid."

[aerohead]

I've got a couple extra shots of the trailer from different perspectives to get a better feel of the tail.These were taken before I shortened the trailer frame,so the axle will not be in the proper position,but you'll be able to "see" what the air is going to see.

[aerohead]

I've got 26.5 man-hours into the trailer project and thought I'd post an update.The critical dimensions are fixed now and completion will be a matter of integrating all the bits together.I've made many concessions now(compromises)which I don't think will sacrifice performance terribly,although the final product will be far from ideal.-------------- The trailer required a 6-inch (150mm) gooseneck offset to the tongue for the two "bellys" to plane out on the bottom.------------ The shackle/leafspring/axle/wheel orientation does not allow the trailer bottom to follow the diffuser angle of the truck without moving the C.G. higher,something I'd rather not do.Anyway,the bottom will be more level,with adequate approach/ramp/and breakover clearance.----------The stinger is at 12-feet from the back of the truck.Aerodynamically,it's much longer than needed,however,I made some concession to "swing" space and interior volume,as I may be "living in there" on the road.--------------I removed my 2-inch ball and moved the smaller ball hitch to truck center.--------------- This morning I purchased 48 linear feet of new 16-gauge square mild steel tubing to begin the boat hull-to-trailer integration.-------- I also hit some thrift stores and yard sales before the copy center opened,and scored some in-line skates (to rob the wheels off of for the movable gap-fillers) and also two aluminum pot lids to make smaller versions of MOON covers for the trailer wheels.-------------- My deadline for testing is in the third week of September.Both "World of Speed" at Bonneville and" World Human Powered Speed Championship" at Battle Mountain,Nevada will be happening almost simultaneously and I'll shuttle between the two,with digital camera,tape measure and hoy batteries.------------- I'll be able to visit friends and family,racking up mileage to the West Coast and back.---------- By the time I get home,I should have a good real-world data set to share with everybody.I'd love to see 40 mpg HWY and 36-mpg Interstate.-------- Going for an LSR is out.At 300,000 miles on the engine,and needing the truck for work,I'm just not in a position to risk blowing the thing up,and so very far from home.I should be able to deduce the theoretical top speed from the mileage data.Should the Bureau of Land Management be looking the other way,the rig could accidently find its way onto the salt at WOT for a "handling-run."But I never said that!

[aerohead]

Hello all.Short work day so got to come look at internet.Last Sunday,I logged my 67th man-hour on the trailer project.The complete forward outline is now defined in steel,and back to the rear of the trailer frame.------------- The front is prismatic,and will provide the "facets" which the gap-filler panel guide-wheels will contact for turn articulation.A "closet" will be provided for a spare tire,lug wrench and jack.This will also give me some tongue weight for stability.-------------- The whole nose will be clad in fiberglass panels recycled from the remnant of the Viking hull.----------- I purchased enough aluminum sheet a few years back in anticipation of skinning the underside of the trailer.------------- Fairings will be constructed for the axle,both leaf-spring/shackles,and both wheels.The designs are from Hoerner's book,and specifically from Messerschmitt research on bomb pylons,wing-tanks,and faired landing gear.I will also mimic the forward wheel fairings of the Honda Dream-2.------------ A frame must be fabricated to take the place of the existing tailgate which will support the four movable gap-fillers,and of course the panels themselves.------------------- Also,the rear of the hull ( the prow ) is too "fast" and will require side extensions to slow the exit architecture to 22-degrees,respecting Mair's work.This will help provide an alcove for the license plate and running lights.----------------- I'll look for off-the-shelf wheelcovers,but should that be a dead end,I've got some aluminum cookware that can be adapted.------------------ I've had good results "bending" the 1.25-inch square tubing by making kerf cuts with the metal chop-saw,bending to match the hull outline,then tack-welding to "fix" the shape.The 1/2-inch Square tubing I inserted into a heavy wall pipe,then slipped a "cheater" pipe over to make incremental bends at about 4-inch centers.--------------- All the final welding remains.Electrical.Body and Paint.--------- September will be here soon! I'll get some shots of the rig posted this coming Saturday.-------------- I've run numbers as best as I can.To my knowledge no one has published data on such a device,as not surprisingly,no one has been crazy enough to try it.Best I can tell,along with the kit already on the truck,the trailer is good for a 95% drag reduction for profile drag and the T-100's road horsepower will be about half of it's original.I'll collect what I've come up with and share that,but I want to post the material on the "mirror-imaging"for the "template" first.If there is enough time,I'll do both Saturday.

[chuckm]

Good stuff. But you ought to know that, in the South, it's called a "cheeta'" pipe.

[aerohead]

I was hoping to download some more current photos of the trailer project but I think I've overwhelmed my capacity and will have to get help before I can post.

[max_frontal_area]

do the tallight lenses flip up or down to eject the parachute(s)?!

[gascort]

Phil, I really love the literalness of the BOAT TAIL! Neat project.

[Blue Bomber Man]

Phil, I really love the literalness of the BOAT TAIL! Neat project.

LOL

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by max_frontal_area

do the tallight lenses flip up or down to eject the parachute(s)?!

They actually rotate out to expose the barrel of the 20-mm Vulcan canon.------ Sorry,couldn't resist!