Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > EcoModding Central
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 08-06-2011, 06:07 AM   #1 (permalink)
efficiencyguy
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 17
Thanks: 8
Thanked 23 Times in 5 Posts
My Aerotail on Audi A2

Hello,

After seeing some boattails online. I decided to built one that also functions as a luggage carrier. So we can go camping with our 2 kids, bring all the stuff and not have to use an mpg-killing trailer or roofrack.
I used a trailerhitch bikerack as a base. It can tilt so you can open the trunk.

When I drive around 65 M/h on the highway, I get 10% more Mpg.
I once got 92Mpg (2,5 l/100Km) on a 135 mile trip, with 4 people and full of luggage.

I'm thinking of making a foam rim to fill the gap between the car and the tail and to improve the bottomside of the tail.

I can still see through the upper part of the rear window.
I have a webpage (in dutch) with more pictures.


I also made an electric recumbent motorcycle.
I'm a friend of the guy who made the mintcolored fully faired honda.
I still have to make a better fairing for it.

Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Aerotail 2.jpg
Views:	539
Size:	111.0 KB
ID:	9154   Click image for larger version

Name:	at 1.jpg
Views:	358
Size:	117.8 KB
ID:	9155   Click image for larger version

Name:	at3.jpg
Views:	298
Size:	94.4 KB
ID:	9156   Click image for larger version

Name:	at4.jpg
Views:	369
Size:	97.3 KB
ID:	9157  

Last edited by theo22; 08-06-2011 at 05:40 PM.. Reason: extra info
  Reply With Quote
The Following 15 Users Say Thank You to theo22 For This Useful Post:
brucepick (08-07-2011), Cd (08-06-2011), ChazInMT (08-07-2011), christofoo (01-01-2013), CigaR007 (08-09-2011), Jyden (03-07-2013), landsailor (08-06-2011), NeilBlanchard (03-27-2012), Piwoslaw (08-06-2011), skyl4rk (08-07-2011), Synchronicity (08-13-2012), t vago (08-06-2011), Tango Charlie (08-06-2011), Vekke (01-01-2013), Weather Spotter (08-06-2011)
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 08-06-2011, 07:00 AM   #2 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
mcrews's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,523

The Q Sold - '02 Infiniti Q45 Sport
90 day: 23.08 mpg (US)

blackie - '14 nissan altima sv
Thanks: 2,203
Thanked 663 Times in 478 Posts
wow!!

let me be the first to welcome you!!
__________________
MetroMPG: "Get the MPG gauge - it turns driving into a fuel & money saving game."

ECO MODS PERFORMED:
First: ScangaugeII
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...eii-23306.html

Second: Grille Block
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...e-10912-2.html

Third: Full underbelly pan
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...q45-11402.html

Fourth: rear skirts and 30.4mpg on trip!
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post247938
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to mcrews For This Useful Post:
theo22 (08-08-2011)
Old 08-06-2011, 09:53 AM   #3 (permalink)
Master Ecomadman
 
arcosine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 1,156

sc1 - '98 saturn sc1
Team Saturn
90 day: 43.17 mpg (US)

Airplane Bike - '11 home built Carp line Tour

rans - '97 rans tailwind

tractor - '66 International Cub cadet 129

2002 Space Odyssey - '02 Honda Odyssey EX-L
90 day: 28.25 mpg (US)

red bug - '00 VW beetle TDI

big tractor - '66 ford 3400

red vw - '00 VW new beetle TDI
90 day: 58.42 mpg (US)

RV - '88 Winnebago LeSharo
90 day: 16.67 mpg (US)
Thanks: 20
Thanked 337 Times in 227 Posts
Very nice.
__________________
- Tony

  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to arcosine For This Useful Post:
theo22 (08-08-2011)
Old 08-06-2011, 11:04 AM   #4 (permalink)
Cd
Ultimate Fail
 
Cd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Austin,Texas
Posts: 3,585
Thanks: 2,872
Thanked 1,121 Times in 679 Posts
I saw your project mentioned on this site before, and I was hoping to see you join and share some details with us. A big welcome !
You have taken one of the most streamlined production vehicles ever offered to the public and greatly improved on its aerodynamics.
Welcome !
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Cd For This Useful Post:
theo22 (08-08-2011)
Old 08-06-2011, 11:11 AM   #5 (permalink)
Cd
Ultimate Fail
 
Cd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Austin,Texas
Posts: 3,585
Thanks: 2,872
Thanked 1,121 Times in 679 Posts
I like the font that you chose for the text on the sticker. It looks professional.
Nice message too.
Do you plan to add a small clear section on the back to see out of ?
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2011, 03:19 PM   #6 (permalink)
The PRC.
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Elsewhere.
Posts: 5,304
Thanks: 285
Thanked 536 Times in 384 Posts
Very neat fabrication and good idea to use the hitch / rack as a mount.
__________________
[I]So long and thanks for all the fish.[/I]
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Arragonis For This Useful Post:
theo22 (08-08-2011)
Old 08-06-2011, 04:10 PM   #7 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Kodak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 346

Canyon - '07 GMC Canyon 2wd regular cab
90 day: 24.95 mpg (US)
Thanks: 41
Thanked 39 Times in 24 Posts
Possible retail potential (niche market)?

Nice work. Very professional looking.
__________________
EcoDriving: Turning more fuel into usable forward motion.
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Kodak For This Useful Post:
theo22 (08-08-2011)
Old 08-06-2011, 04:27 PM   #8 (permalink)
Wiki Mod
 
Weather Spotter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Midland MI, USA
Posts: 2,042

Max - '14 Ford C-Max SEL
Thanks: 228
Thanked 304 Times in 210 Posts
As a fellow boat tail driver, that looks great!
__________________
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Weather Spotter For This Useful Post:
theo22 (08-08-2011)
Old 08-06-2011, 04:34 PM   #9 (permalink)
The PRC.
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Elsewhere.
Posts: 5,304
Thanks: 285
Thanked 536 Times in 384 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kodak View Post
Possible retail potential (niche market)?

Nice work. Very professional looking.
For this it may be worth PM-ing user Vekke who has a business doing aero stuff in Europe.
__________________
[I]So long and thanks for all the fish.[/I]
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2011, 06:02 PM   #10 (permalink)
efficiencyguy
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 17
Thanks: 8
Thanked 23 Times in 5 Posts
Most people who see the Aerotail tell me to get a patent or to start selling them.
I run a succesfull business making Velomobiles (fully faired 3wheeled recumbent bicycles)
I have no intention of starting a production of aerotails.
I think there could be a market for a trailerhitch aerotail that would fit on several cars.
You can buy a trailerhitch luggagecarrier here in holland, but it's just a square box. They could simply change the shape to a more aerodynamic one and make 3 or 4 different sizes/shapes to fit most cars, hatchbacks SUV's etc.

Oh, here's a picture of my electric motorbike

Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	e-motion klein.jpg
Views:	199
Size:	122.2 KB
ID:	9159  
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread






Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com