Travel trailer opinions wanted

[botsapper]

Were they Bowlus trailer design? Really appreciate their whole line of products. Makes simple sense, he was an aeronautical 'mechanic'. He modified existing aircraft to improve their aerodynamic efficiencies. He was Ryan Aircraft's lead mechanic, helped built Lindberg's Spirit of St. Louis. Also a glider enthusiast, helped create record setting gliders & the famous D-day gliders. Airstream's founder, Wally Byam, worked in Bowlus sales & marketing. When it went out of business during the Great Depression, Byam's Airstream took over the designs and just moved the door from over the tongue and placed it on the side. For cleaner aero & frame considerations.
Bowlus Trailers

[Christopher Jordan]

Originally Posted by botsapper

Were they Bowlus trailer design?
Bowlus Trailers

I think that is it! I am not positive until I ask next time I am in. He has several different older trailers, but that streamline really stuck out. The original photos of the interior looked like the only thing missing was the microwave (then a "duhh" moment: in the 1930s?? *oops*).

Fascinating new realm for me!!

[KamperBob]

Originally Posted by Christopher Jordan

I think that is it! I am not positive until I ask next time I am in. He has several different older trailers, but that streamline really stuck out. The original photos of the interior looked like the only thing missing was the microwave (then a "duhh" moment: in the 1930s?? *oops*).

Fascinating new realm for me!!

Good contribution to historical aero campers. Slowmover too on Airstreams. I can't help but wish for a truncated rear on the Bowlus with the door back there instead. Eh, Frank? Truncation could help the departure angle too. :thumb

Cheers
KB

[Frank Lee]

Truncation is fine Bob!

But radii back there are not. Heh Heh.

[KamperBob]

I have a back burner project that may be relevant. I turned a 16' Scamp into a cargo trailer.

The rectangular protrusion for the rear door is shallow. Rear radii are truncated too late for clean break. The wake should be cleaner with some fill and extension to maintain attached flow. I just need to get a round tuit.

Cheers
KB

[dpero]

There seems to be 2 lines of thought regarding the aero; Saftey/towability vs aerodynamics. Finding the perfect mix probably isn't possible so comprises need to be made and I'll have to figure out where to make them.

Those Bowlus trailers are interesting but they are only 6' wide and not so tall. I don't think that's a compromise I want to make. I had not seen that site before... thanks. There's definately ideas worth using there.

[dpero]

I've been playing in SketchUP and tried to incorporate some of the ideas discussed. I would appreciate comments on it.

Front and top radii are ~8 in.

[Frank Lee]

Appears TV can be closer to trailer? Perhaps portion of front trailer face that is below TV roofline can be angled forward a bit to parallel (maybe not quite) TV rear, and "match" trailer rear style-wise?

Perhaps the entire roof could be lowered a skosh- do you need more than, oh, 6'8" of headroom at the peak?

I wonder if the boat-tailing angles top and sides could be steepend a bit more, especially towards the very rear. It would be a nice goal to have a trailing wake area that is less than or equal to that of the TV alone I'd think.

Be careful of weight and balance- you do NOT want tongue lift! Perhaps axle should go back a bit and/or length shortened?

Looks like a good start to me though!

[KamperBob]

Looking good, dpero.

Outside, side view, I'd cut 6-8' off the back. Maybe leave but the the axle where it is for front to rear balance. Shoot for 10% on the tongue. Inside, top view, rethink your floor plan (post #23) for left to right balance. Rear bed is nice. Can you center it? Pinch the side walls in leaving just enough inside width to tuck the covers. Low head room back there seems fine since it's dedicated mattress not dinette too so crawling in/out works.

I'm a SketchUp lover too. :thumb

Cheers
KB

[dpero]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Appears TV can be closer to trailer? Perhaps portion of front trailer face that is below TV roof line can be angled forward a bit to parallel (maybe not quite) TV rear, and "match" trailer rear style-wise?

Perhaps the entire roof could be lowered a skosh- do you need more than, oh, 6'8" of headroom at the peak?

I wonder if the boat-tailing angles top and sides could be steepend a bit more, especially towards the very rear. It would be a nice goal to have a trailing wake area that is less than or equal to that of the TV alone I'd think.

Be careful of weight and balance- you do NOT want tongue lift! Perhaps axle should go back a bit and/or length shortened?

Looks like a good start to me though!

I figured out how to open the hatch on the van model i got from the 3D warehouse. I was able to move the trailer ~20 in. closer to the van. I had just guessed at it for that version. Can't go too close or the hatch won't open at anything other than the trailer being 180 deg from the van. I should play with the front some more for style as you mention.

If I go too low with the roof line I would have to sacrifice the shape somewhat or there may not be enough height in the rear. Do you think the shape is more important or the height?

The roof line follows the aero template nicely but the sides do not. They could be steepened at the rear if the interior allows. Probably worth playing with.

I threw the axle in there without much thought. It's position isn't set in stone so I'll have to see where the weight ends up interior wise and move the axle accordingly. It does look too far foreword.

Originally Posted by KamperBob

Looking good, dpero.

Outside, side view, I'd cut 6-8' off the back. Maybe leave but the the axle where it is for front to rear balance. Shoot for 10% on the tongue. Inside, top view, rethink your floor plan (post #23) for left to right balance. Rear bed is nice. Can you center it? Pinch the side walls in leaving just enough inside width to tuck the covers. Low head room back there seems fine since it's dedicated mattress not dinette too so crawling in/out works.

I'm a SketchUp lover too. :thumb

Cheers
KB

If I cut 8' off then I would be at 17' which is actually shorter than the Visa. I don't think that would help much. If you mention it simply because of the axle then as I replied to Frank, I can move it easily enough.

I'll probably be tapering the rear more which would center the bed more anyways. If I center it as I drew it, there would not be much room for access on either side. I want 2 bunks for the kids so maybe a bunk on either side in the rear would work better.