Stitch away an aero cover!

[shok]

that is my fav so far, all the other one's i've seen just looked really unappealing to me. I'd happily use that on my s10.

[kach22i]

A 4-year old concept, any news on prototyping this up?

[botsapper]

Originally Posted by kach22i

A 4-year old concept, any news on prototyping this up?

...kinda surprised no one has attempted it, yet. The fabric/rigid prototype is getting there.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by botsapper

...kinda surprised no one has attempted it, yet. The fabric/rigid prototype is getting there.

Even here in the Dallas area we can see single-digit temps in winter.It's a lot to ask a fabric to remain supple under this sort of environment.
Even in Woodland Hills,California,a heat-gun was required for installing convertible tops and many marine and automotive upholstery projects.

[sgtlethargic]

Originally Posted by aerohead

Even here in the Dallas area we can see single-digit temps in winter.It's a lot to ask a fabric to remain supple under this sort of environment.
Even in Woodland Hills,California,a heat-gun was required for installing convertible tops and many marine and automotive upholstery projects.

Instead of snaps (or instead of some snaps), maybe an improved bungee cords and eyelets concept would address this issue.

[botsapper]

Shortcut: fabric topper hacked into an aero-fastback.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXY4_wOS2Rg

[Viturro]

Hi, i'm new here at ecomodder, and I've read almost every post.
For me the tail looks very good, and most importantly it is functional.
I want to know how much difference there is with the ''aero back'', in terms of consumption and / or speed. If anyone knows, thanks.

Sorry for my English, I speak Spanish.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by sgtlethargic

Instead of snaps (or instead of some snaps), maybe an improved bungee cords and eyelets concept would address this issue.

Don't know,but the 'coated-fabric' cover may be only good for 3-season environments.
I keep thinking of the o-ring seal on Morton Thiokol's rocket motor which brought down the Space Shuttle Challenger.
Even some of the best modern synthetics can be brittle in winter conditions.If one ruptured their bedcover attempting to deploy,or stow it,they'd be pretty -issed.

[CupIsHalfEmpty]

I agree that below freezing it's unwise to bend any clear plastic/vinyl windows. I owned a 2007 Smart Car Convertible for a couple winters and there were many complaints from people who cracked their rear window in the cold months while opening their rear hatch. The plastic is just not flexible cold.

(My post count is to low to post a picture, but here's a jpg of a smart cars rear window)
ipocars.com/imgs/a/e/b/b/u/smart__convertible_pure_first_hand_2007_5_lgw.jpg

I think the solution would be to use an existing soft roll up tonneau cover and build raised box sides that are ridged. You then modify the soft tonneau so it fits the new raised profile of the box. The box sides would create the profile for an aeroshell, and the soft tonneau would fill in the gap. Then if you wanted to haul something large, you just roll the soft tonneau cover up out of the way, and remove the cross supports. Just like any regular soft tonneau. this would leave the raised box sides in place but they wouldn't be in the way. If you want a window on the sides, You could cut hard lexan (or other clear material) to fit the box sides. This would give a view out the back window of the truck and through the raised box side. If you wanted a view out the back, Maybe you could fit something in the rectangle above the tailgate but below the rear of the soft tonneau. On my truck the aero profile is about 10" above the tailgate. The rectangle would have to remain ridged and could possible attach to the top of the tailgate but with hinges so it could be folded out of the way when not in use. This gives a relatively good rear view while using the aeroshell. Yet the aeroshell is easily rolled away when you are required to haul something large.

This is what I plan to do to my Ford Ranger, and hopefully on a budget. Once I start building, I'll post in a new thread about the build.

Billy

[botsapper]

Here's a better 'flexible' cover system that has been put through real 'tests'. Beginning to see many flatbed tarp systems that is both aero smooth and can conform to desired shapes. The proven tarp materials, rolling systems, cross bow structures and even the sliding curtain solutions are all applicable for all eco-modders' idea box.

This company even has custom tarp applications/innovations service.
http://www.slidingtarpsystems.com/pdf/LCS_LOOK_USA.pdf
http://www.slidingtarpsystems.com/pd...IDEKIT_USA.pdf
http://www.loadcovering.com/recreati...ercoverusa.pdf