A Practical Guide to Pickup Truck Aeromods

[freebeard]

Ghost riding, frequently used in the context of "ghost riding the whip" (a "whip" being a vehicle) or simply ghostin', is when a person exits his moving vehicle, and dances beside and around it.

Ghost riding - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_riding

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Sven7

Look at this- it's an actual scholarly paper about drag reduction, but they start out with a freaking cartoon car! It can be challenging to find trustworthy information.

I've got a deadline today, but I think I have a college paper which offers a slightly better a model for academic analysis purposes. Will post it later.

One of the images below is from that paper, a near single plane for hood/windshield.

Other images may be of interest, have forgotten where they are sourced from, but a reverse Google image search may lead you to the original source if interested (for proper crediting).

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by Xist

Don't some trucks have running boards that pop out when you unlock the doors? Do they stay out until you park the vehicle?

Would they serve any purpose while the truck is in motion?

Don’t lower your tailgate: GM details aerodynamic design of 2014 Silverado and Sierra, debunks myths | Equipment World | Construction Equipment, News and Information | Heavy Construction Equipment

"But there are accessories you can add to your truck that will help. GM says Tonneau covers for the bed help smooth airflow over the truck, and Bloch says soft covers are more beneficial than the hard ones because they “form to how the air wants to flow.” Round, tube-style running boards can also help air flow smoothly down the truck’s sides, but flush-mount running boards are even better."

[Xist]

Smooth running boards are better than round ones, and even better than normal ones? What about none?

[freebeard]

That's the way VW Type IIs came, to include the single-and double-cab pickups.



The belly-pan was 'optional', used mainly for structural reinforcement on the open-top models. I believe some models shipped with the left and right sections but no center section. The forward 1/3 was covered by a removable pan under the cab floor.

Running boards were an aftermarket item.


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=229886

[deejaaa]

i think the boards were removed. period! the space that would have been to the left/right of them, to the under/inside of the truck was enclosed. basically a mini belly pan, under the cab.

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by Xist

Smooth running boards are better than round ones, and even better than normal ones? What about none?

I think the implication was:

Best:


Good:


Worst:

[Frank Lee]

Having a hard time believing that running boards help...

[darcane]

And these are better yet?


Some of the retractable running boards nicely fill up the gap underneath. They even indicate improved fuel economy in their marketing propaganda:
Quality AMP Research Powerstep & Truck Running Boards | AMP Research


It is light on data though...

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Having a hard time believing that running boards help...

A claim like that should invite skepticism, but in this case:

A) they have a windtunnel, and
B) GM does not manufacture running boards or offer them as a factory option on the Silverado or Sierra, so they don't have a financial interest in convincing customers to purchase them. I suppose this particular engineer could have some personal interest in propping up the aftermarket running board industry, but given that in the same interview he discourages the use of other accessories like cargo nets, I find that unlikely.