Half height pickup bed cap?

[max_frontal_area]

...god knows we have enough terrorists already

howsabout adding a kammback to the remaining, unfaired part of the cab, unless rear visibility is obstructed which was obviously a top concern here?! alternatively, some stubby kammlets on the side and airtabs on the roof?

my 1986 f-250 currently has an 8' douglass utility bed, which is for sale,
awaiting conversion to a flatbed with provisions to add stakes when needed,
or at times a lightweight aluminum framed/skinned camper shell.
for operation during its flatbed state i have been thinking of doing a curved wedge, starting about half way up the cab, which will hopefully produce a favorable angle minimizing seperation - providing i can fashion a kammback
to work in unison. exterior mirrors will be deleted in favor of parobolic mirrors
on the inside. depending on the center rearview mirror visibility, i may run a usb camera.

looking for feedback...

[winkosmosis]

For the record, I don't have a pickup so I can't try it myself.


Another half cap to consider is the kind that Terminix trucks here have. I've only ever seen them in Hawaii... It's 1/2 or 1/3 the height of a full bed cap, and the top is arched. I assume the height does make it easier for airflow to reattach than a flat tonneau.

[winkosmosis]

Found a pic of the Terminix truck


School Bus and Terminix Truck Accident Near Tampa - Truck Accidents 360 Newswire

[mosby]

I think what Winkosmosis is referring to with the Terminix reference is something similar to what we vets call a Bowie unit.

Sharing the Road to Excellence

No idea on mileage gain from aerodynamics, but you'll have some loss from weight. Bowies aren't light, being majorly compartmentalized, then add your gear, water, etc.

[winkosmosis]

Yep, like those but more arched and smooth on top.

[winkosmosis]

I was in an industrial area dropping off my coworker at the mechanic to pick up her car and I happened to see a retired Terminix truck.

[slowmover]

Had this conversation recently: Were I to remove my cab-height bed topper, but still wanted more room than under a tonneau cover, what might be the best shape to effect this end . . and reduce side wind loadings with an available hard cover? This half-height was suggested (thanks, Kamper Bob, for the patience and advice).

[KamperBob]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Had this conversation recently: Were I to remove my cab-height bed topper, but still wanted more room than under a tonneau cover, what might be the best shape to effect this end . . and reduce side wind loadings with an available hard cover? This half-height was suggested (thanks, Kamper Bob, for the patience and advice).

No problem. I enjoyed kicking around ideas. Figured I may as well share the other variations were talked about. Who knows if someone else might find them helpful.

Full cab-height quonset hut.


Sloped quonset.


Wink's pic better shows the fractional quonset.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by winkosmosis

I was in an industrial area dropping off my coworker at the mechanic to pick up her car and I happened to see a retired Terminix truck.

They're using them in Texas currently.They would reduce the locked vortex by filling up some of the void but on some trucks,would certainly aggravate the size of the wake.Nice weather-proof,secure storage though.And good outward visibility.

[slowmover]

Terminix, surveyors & seismic crews are what I see using this sort of topper.