Receiver-hitch boat tail
 

Here is a rendering from back in 2004.
The Stowaway II offered the elongation which would allow boat-tailing,and there would be the utility of additional cargo space without resorting to a roof rack system.
Earlier European designs had retractable wheels which would allow the tail to be slipped out of the receiver and rolled away without any lifting involved.
I'd gone through an advanced composites course at ABARIS and knew that a composite structure could be extremely light,since this is an all-compound surface and benefits from 'egging'.
A thermo-formed plastic structure would also be doable.
All light-metal,likewise.
A passenger side window would be beneficial when backing,as the 'C-pillar' would be enormous.
Or a camera system as is common now.
I won't be going for a patent,so feel free to use it if it can help.:)
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...ntitled1-7.jpg
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...ntitled2-7.jpg
The Koenig/Kamm K-form was predicated on a 50% frontal area wake.So this would be the recommendation for a 'practical' length.
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/.../11x17Scan.jpg

that is very similar to how my tail worked:

it all was built on this:

http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/z...s/2e3f80f9.jpg

with top attachment to keep it tight to the car:

http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/z...s/d56c3a10.jpg

all the weight on the receiver worked very well. after 3.5 years it was going strong.

3.5-yrs
 

It's a great way to go.And for urban warfare they're easily removed for parking ease.
We'll lament the loss of your boat tail,but relish in the knowledge that we had 3.5 years of it.Thanks mucho!:D

THANK YOU for posting this :)

In regards to shape/size/length... How would one determine this for their particular vehicle? I see mention that it would be based off of 50% frontal area wake... Can a fella get a translation for this? I know you guys are wicked smart with this stuff, but I'm not so much :o

Also, I see you based it off the bottom lines of the hitch for your underside... Did you intend for there to be a rear diffuser to meet with this design? it seems that dropping below the rear bumper would create more drag/poor air flow?

I had planned on basing my design off of the aero backs on the big rigs trailers, rather than an actual boat tail. It seems that yours follows this train of thought as well?

Any feedback you or ANYBODY else can give me would be awesome! I fully intend to build something for my Mountaineer. Spare tire, recovery gear, emergency gear, all tucked away inside it.

~C

Look at my build thread (search for matrix full boat tail).

People helped me figure out design and it should help you too.

It just occurred to me that I've been focusing entirely on my car for ecomodding. THIS however, would be perfect for my wife's SUV! Ideas are starting to flow... :)

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...ntitled1-7.jpg
==> Lake Oswego, OR

Did this ever progress beyond a rendering? Did you intend for it to expand and collapse, or is it more of a 'bodykit' for the commercial item?

Split tailgate.

Each side could swing open into a storage locker, with depth equal to half the tailgate width and a width equal to the length of the boattail.

I've been meaning to ask how WeatherSpotter got the plasic wing off of the top of the hatch. I dream of doing this to my SUV. Problem is I got a hitch mount bicycle carrier but not a hitch yet. I can't use the old bike carrier because its made to hang off of the top of the hatch.

Mine came off with 4 bolts, those are the holes I used to hang the tail off of.

design
 

Here's what you're up against
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...ad2/Scans4.jpg
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...ad2/Scans2.jpg
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...ad2/Scans1.jpg
You want the tail to fill in the region occupied by the smoke (1st image),of the blue area in the other two.
You could use the 'Template' or Mair's boat tail
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...ntitled324.jpg
You can do better than a 'Trailer Tail.'