trailer aerodynamics

[dmac257]

I ditched my pickup and replaced it with a trailer.. but I would like to put a hard shell on top to protect contents from rain/snow. I am not looking for super aerodynamics but I would like to know "something" before I build. There will be 37" between the rear of towing vehicle and the front of the trailer. Should I try to keep the entire shell inside the aerodynamic template? ie: top profile



or should it be treated as a separate entity? In the bottom two profiles the red box upper left corner is the contact point with the upper template. I would like to know if the front edge of the trailer should start at the same level or below the template .. the last profile looks almost rectangular and if I just make a rectangular shape should I make sure the height starts below the template of the towing vehicle?

I just wanted to get some input from the forum before I start building

dmac257

[MobilOne]

Are you going to "vee" the nose of the trailer? Perhaps make a shroud over the front part of the trailer frame that is exposed. I would think that you would want the trailer in the "shadow" of the car to help reduce drag. And what about the trailer's drag?

[aerohead]

Check out BamZipPow's thread: boat tail based on one wheeled trailerhttp://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ler-26997.html
or Aerohead's
full-boat-tailed trailer for T-100
*bottom line is,that the tow vehicle and trailer,together,should for an aerodynamic singularity as best you can.

[freebeard]

I just wanted to get some input from the forum before I start building

Without a use case, we're shooting in the dark. aerohead is correct if the only purpose of the trailer is streamlining. Not as a travel trailer, nor a utility trailer.

Do you need access to the rear of the tow vehicle?

What this put me in mind of is the way a 1948 Buick pontoon front fender tapers into the rear fender, sort of like two of Thee Template telescoped together like one fish eating another.