Ram-Aero-Camper, just a study

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by ennored

So long as the front contours result in laminar flow along the top and sides, the length isn't as important. I bet a Vixen could be shortened quite a bit before the aero got worse. I think long bodies benefit from the air getting reattached along the length of the body. If it never detaches, it could be shorter.

Good info, thanks.

I found this on length.

Drag per aft-body length/roof angle
https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...gle-27922.html


About a week ago I think it was Aerohead posting or re-posting a length graphic dealing with buses in tandem. Another poster commented on antonymous vehicles taking advantage of this. In short, length matters.

https://ecomodder.com/forum/photo-feed.php?p=2081


EDIT:
Found this by happen-chance, just had to re-post it, Syd Mead I believe.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/290834088420877147/


Article here:

2010
Syd Mead's Futuristic Playboy Land Yacht
https://jalopnik.com/5611114/syd-mea...boy-land-yacht

When you aren't underway there's a rooftop bed for a little open air entertaining.............

[ennored]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZy_...e=results_main

At a bit after 6:00 in this video, Bill talks about the aero development. There's about 40 minutes of video. I didn't watch the whole thing, I suspect it's the presentation I'm thinking of where he talks about the real vehicle test.

(I found an old thread where I mentioned the model tested at .26, and the Bendix testing got .29. (.295 is mentioned a few places - probably the number they got.) I think that information may be buried at the Vixen Owners Group website, which has content only available to members now.)

Only other motorhome I know of that spent time in a real wind tunnel is the Vesta/Trip. I've never seen any images or data from anything else.

[freebeard]

Delayed thank you, your comments led to the creation of Scheme-3 FYI.

To clarify, the roof on your overlay scheme is intended to be a two-piece clam-shell that gets lifted up, right?

Success from minimal effort. As drawn, there should be little arrows showing the forward section moving up and forward. A straight piano-hinge line won't accommodate any crown.

I was so appalled at my results I did another picture for another thread. This one has a fiberglass topper with a cut that curves the [flat] roof down to the driprail:



IIRC that Syd Mead design was 12ft wide.

[ennored]

These exist too, sort forgot about them.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by ennored

These exist too, sort forgot about them.

Fantastic, from the video I found looks to be front hinge, rear scissor lever arm.

I also suspect those bicycles are being shoved and perhaps denting the roof as it raises as he has them too close.

2013
Checking out the Alto Safari Condo — Part 2: The amazing elevating roof and a look inside

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OssiS9Rpo98

I happened on this striking piece of travel kit in the parking lot of a small shopping center here in Charlottesville, where Steve and Karen were fitting trail bikes onto its custom rack prior to continuing their transcontinental road trip. They're from Alaska and drove across Canada in 8 days to pick their bespoke trailer in early October, then headed south such that chance and fate could enable me to meet them. Cool peeps. Only 40 of these units exist and the current waiting list means if you order one today, you'll get yours in a year. Fair warning: that wait list is gonna get a LOT longer.

This is a very 2D design, pressure differences between top and sides will create vortexes. Plus the arc has far too much slope, going to have air flow detachment for sure.

Still, many points for the coolness factor.

[freebeard]

My teardrop design hinges toward the bottom:

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by freebeard

My teardrop design hinges toward the bottom:

Cool.

Took me a minute, but I got it.

I was working with similar forms for an rectangular in-duct hinged thrust braking system on a hovercraft. My mind kept going back to that, and I had to fight it.