Market For Aerodynamic Wheel Covers? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

tennis4789 · 12-20-2009, 01:52 AM

I've seen comments about pizza pans being used as wheel covers or clip ons or drill ons.

It doesn't seem that difficult for a company produce "aerodynamic" wheel covers. Attached is a drawing that might do it Where it would give full access to change a flat and give access to valve stem. & made out of a fairly light inexpensive plastic it could be inexpensive.

Is there no market for this? Why isn't a company doing this? Or maybe they are and I just haven't read the whole internet yet.

Christ · 12-20-2009, 02:00 AM

MOON makes nice covers that come off easily for this exact reason. They're cost prohibitive though.

If you've got an idea, market it, make a million dollars, and help Darin with some site support! He's probably tired of eating bologna sandwiches for dinner.

Seriously, though. I think there is a small market for this type of mod, and DIY'ers will always be DIY'ers, unless the cost of the DIY exceeds or is reasonably close to the cost of the "real thing".

tennis4789 · 12-20-2009, 02:24 AM

Well I was thinking about seeing what it would cost to have some made for my Chevy Prizm.

Ne easy prototyping materials. Probably have to have a CAD drawing done. I'm not soooo good at CAD sooo I went to the paper draw.

You seem to be right many people would rather self service/experiment on their own (at least on this forum). Pretty involved transaction. Although many people will pay excessive amounts in the name of the environment.

Darin's got bologna and he ain't sharing?

Christ · 12-20-2009, 02:26 AM

If you know how to use an english wheel, you can make your own. It's just a matter of getting the contour even all the way around.

winkosmosis · 12-20-2009, 02:46 AM

Considering how bad the normal moon caps look on most newer vehicles, I think there is a market for a plastic cover.

Christ · 12-20-2009, 02:48 AM

A clear front cover would also have to be accompanied by a rear cover. Brake dust and dirt build up would turn people off quickly.

thatguitarguy · 12-20-2009, 10:03 AM

A while back here were a lot of people convinced that they should pay a lot of money to have wheels or covers that spun so that it looked like they were moving while sitting at a traffic light, or looked like they were standing still while rolling down the street.

It's about the marketing. Production of aero caps has got to be fairly simple. Some marketing genius just has to convince the public that they want something on their car that looks so "plain jane".