Which Trailer shape is better??

[skyking]

No need for mirror extensions at 5 feet, Ed. Every car sees around that OK.
The wheels out there are a bummer, you get more space and it would be a wash if you did not spend a lot of time building fancy fairings for them.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Ed-in-Maine

Also what's that plane in your avatar? Love the old war birds

North American P-51 Mustang.

[skyking]

Originally Posted by euromodder

North American P-51 Mustang.

close. It is a Thunder Mustang, a 2/3rds scale replica right down to a custom engine. It sounds maybe even better than a P-51 in flight.
Thunder Mustang Home Page
There are a couple more pics in this album.
thun pictures by skyking60 - Photobucket

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by skyking

close. It is a Thunder Mustang, a 2/3rds scale replica right down to a custom engine.

Looks convincing enough to fool me

[Ed-in-Maine]

Hi ecomodder world, thanks to all again for the input on trailer design. I just though I’d let you know my final choice and reasons. I say final because the Harbor Freight Trailer is built and painted. And today I spend a couple hours of quality time at Home Depot. I’m ready to cut wood tomorrow.

1. I did bring the rear up to match the aero shape and also the initial round down in the front.

2. I did taper inward the front. Where I began the taper inward at the front I went with straight sections to minimize work. The taper forward serves two purposes. First it allows tight turn radius of with the Matrix giving about +/- 60 deg swing without binding. Next it fills in some of the space between the Matrix and trailer. Hoping this gives a smother transition to the air.

3. I didn’t aero wing shape the sides in plan view. While I understand there is increased drag with straight sides there were several overriding factors. First is the great increase in built complexity and therefor time and money. No real increase functionality in the interior space. Next the added width causes questionable rearward visibility and would need mirror extensions. Overall trailer width would have been about 5’ 3” the Matrix is 5’ 1”. And finally and possibly most important the rear couple feet of the trailer would not be visible at all due to the inward taper. I worried greatly over the fact that my wife will be the prime driver and judging the length would be difficult.

4. I did not radius the edges. Difficulty and time again.

5. I did stretch the overall length from 8’ to 12’. This give a better aero shape and gives valuable interior volume. While the departure angle of the trailer dropped from 20deg to 15deg this this is functionally alright. The departure angle of the cars hitch is about 15deg which means this is the overall max anyway.
Ed

[euromodder]

Is the plan drawing to scale ?
It looks like you could enclose the wheels while still remaining within the width of the towing car. That could give a lot of additional internal volume.

If you can't or don't want to widen the trailer, at least enclose the wheels in a streamlined teardrop shape.

[RunningStrong]

How are you planning to access everything in-side? Complete clamshell lift? Rear hatch?

[Ed-in-Maine]

euromodder - The picture scale may be a little off but I have actual width measurements. I do plan to streamline the fenders, but that will wait until door size and locations are finalized. I'm also looking at a "belly pan" but don't know at this point how to do it yet.

RunningString - There will be a port/starboard door to access the bed area. In the rear will be a couple swing open doors to access the galley area. I've decided not to do the clam shell in the interest of keeping things water tight and without the big downward sweep of the classic teardrop the hatch would not raise high enough without cutting in to the roof, then it moves too far forward to be an effective awning.
There is also an access door in the front area for spare tire and house battery storage.

Ed

[slowmover]

Glad you've found a shape you're comfortable in constructing, and that the shape itself was "informed".

On some subjects in life I am glad to be no younger than I am. But when I think of the grinding searches done earlier in life to acquire just tidbits of info . . these younger guys have got it all over the rest of us (I do sincerely hope) in works of creation of this sort. A tweak here, and a tweak there!! . . and it'll actually work.

.

[skyking]

Congrats Ed, that looks highly "buildable" with the tools and materials you have in mind.
If you decide you want to lift the back roof up I can draw you a watertight detail that will be simple to make with a table saw and lumber. It is one of the benefits of the aero shape.
Edit:
My first effort with sketchup, don't laugh too hard. I am a pencil and paper and compass type of guy.
I can make a folding back wall detail that would take that back three feet and make a nice roof to stand under at the kitchen area.
Unlatch at bottom, lift up and lock to roof, lift up roof and brace. Viola, stand up kitchen with shelter.