neighborhood going to the tails (spotted a 2nd gen. Prius with a boattail on my road)

[LeanBurn]

Has he recorded any mpg numbers before and after?

[Weather Spotter]

I have not seen any more progress on his tail. The last time I saw his car the tail was off. So I am unsure what's up. I might have to stop by and see.

[MetroMPG]

Ken: thanks for bumping this thread - I was thinking about it the other day.

Ben: can you spill any of the beans? Seems like the builder wasn't keen on signing up to tell us about it.

[Weather Spotter]

you want details?


ok

from what i remember he said he was running about 40 Mpg before and with it got 44-46 MPG. this data was only one or two tanks so not 100% solid. He said his driving was "spirited" and mostly expressway.

His costs were $40 for a sheet of plastic wall board (the stuff in restaurants and fast food joints for easy cleanup). Available at big box stores in white and cream but he found a place with a few leftover black ones.

For attachment he used a ratchet strap going from a 1x6 in the tail matched to the shape of the car around to the underside and to a hook on the inside of the car i think.

What else am i missing that you want to know?

[MetroMPG]

Thanks!

Well, if you happen to talk to him, let us know where the project is going (or not).

[Weather Spotter]

I will see what I can do.

[sheepdog 44]

I would like some details or pictures on the build, like how he keeps the structur rigid and what it's made of. I'd to do the same on my Insight as it easy, removable, and non permanent compared to fabricating a fiberglass/foam solution.

[Weather Spotter]

the pictures in the thread are all I have

as for the build. the frame in 1x wood boards (the back is a square in the pic and you can see one of the underside supports). up front he took a 1x6 and cut an arc out of it to match the lip of the trunk. this is where the straps go through to the car. The shell is made from a plastic sheet material (checkered or patterned wall board) lowes and home depot have it in the back by the 4x8 sheets of flooring and thin wood. He said it was about 5 min or less to take off and put on.

[sheepdog 44]

I see, so it's a rigid structure that "straps" on to the back via the hatch crevice and underneath. Like a backpack form of car topping a kayak with foam blocks.

I'm interested in how it anchors to the car so it doesn't shift around.

So nails and wood glue are sufficient to build it. Thats good cause i cannot weld!

Thank you!

[Weather Spotter]

I just biked around the neighborhood and saw the Prius without the tail. I will have to see if I can remember how it was strapped on.

If I recall, the straps (2) went from cargo hooks on the inside of the car, out the hatch (does the glass come up by itself or not? ) around or though the wooden frame (tapered piece at the bumper and on father down) then to some spots on the underside of the car. If i recall right, it was resting on the car and pulled tight to it so it did not move when I shoved it.