A Practical Guide to Pickup Truck Aeromods

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Vman455

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.

Pssst....

Optional features on the 2015 Silverado include:

• 4" Round Black tubular assist steps
• 4" Chromed tubular round assist steps
• 6" Rectangular Black tubular assist step
• 6" Chromed tubular rectangular assist steps

2015 Silverado 1500 Trims: WT - LS - LT - LTZ | Chevrolet

They aren't as common as they are on the Tahoe/Suburban, but it is an option.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Xist

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

In lieu of lowered rocker panel extensions combined with a belly pan,the running boards mitigate some of the unwanted mixing between the sides and bottom of a pickup.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

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

Roger Clark of GM eluded to their benefit in his piece for Popular Science.
Here you can see GM using 'running boards' on their sub-0.14 Aero

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by darcane

Pssst....

Optional features on the 2015 Silverado include:

• 4" Round Black tubular assist steps
• 4" Chromed tubular round assist steps
• 6" Rectangular Black tubular assist step
• 6" Chromed tubular rectangular assist steps

2015 Silverado 1500 Trims: WT - LS - LT - LTZ | Chevrolet

They aren't as common as they are on the Tahoe/Suburban, but it is an option.

That's interesting--they didn't show up as options when I tried "building my own." Nevertheless, Point 1) still stands.

[freebeard]

aerohead and Frank Lee -- Another example from the Pelican Parts thread:



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/8690138-post30354.html

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by darcane

This image may make for a good addition to your guide:

I found that exact post and linked to the article the graphic was from. A Truck That Drinks Less Than a Car? | Popular Science

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?

It would be hard to test. I'm of the opinion that you're better off without the weight and complexity. Remove them and add some permanent side skirts.

Originally Posted by kach22i

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.

The pickup wing image is interesting- where did you find it? The car still doesn't look even remotely real. Can't these schools afford a $100 Accord model off Turbosquid?!

Originally Posted by Vman455

"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."

Interesting; I didn't know that. Maybe something to add in. I like this photo:

Originally Posted by Xist

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

I think they are assuming every truck has running boards, so they are ranking them. Rounded edges are best if you must have them. The best overall is probably similar to HydroJim's Focus: http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...0-12-12008.jpg

This discussion about running boards is why I tried to stick to the basics. It's hard enough to get people to pay attention, so I don't want to confuse them.

PS- the article has over 150 views now! It seems to be the most popular one I've written to date.

[drainoil]

Sven7, just read through everything here. Nice work!

[Xist]

Originally Posted by Sven7

I'm of the opinion that you're better off without the weight and complexity. Remove them and add some permanent side skirts.

Aren't running boards supposed to serve as a step to get in and out of taller vehicles? Don't our members often lower vehicles to make them more fuel efficient?

Originally Posted by Sven7

Can't these schools afford a $100 Accord model off Turbosquid?!

Finally! I can afford a new car!

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Sven7

The EM "65+ Efficiency Mods" is a good start, but (no offense, Darin) is really vague and sometimes misleading. For instance, no one removes their door handles for drag reduction

Yeah, WHO the heck put that in there!?

We're taking a fresh look at the 65+ mods list imminently. It needs work & updating.

--

PS, I'm surprised your article didn't get more traction. It's good.

But I dunno how Kinja / Jalopnik works. If it's anything like the old days on DIGG, it's more about who you know (network of up-voters and recommenders with status) than the quality of what you submit. Or a little of both.

[Sven7]

Cool! If you would for some reason like to use any pictures from my build threads, go ahead (although they were ugly rusty piles). I would like to do an article on basic car mods, but it may be a few weeks at least. It would be nice to have reference material to give people percentages of drag reduction.

I recently was added as an author on Jalopnik's reader blog OppositeLock, so the truck aero piece is scheduled to show up there this week.

Thank you; I do try to put out quality, original content but it is unfortunately as much about who you know as it is about post quality. Getting things on "Oppo" should help get them noticed, but most posts there are pretty seat-of-the-pants, I think, so maybe people don't have the attention span for longer articles. Who knows. My presence on Kinja is a bit of an experiment (partially out of boredom) for the time being.

Also, fun coincidence. I ran into UltArc there today, both of us under different names, plugging EM! Small world.