"Wedge" Cap for pick up trucks

[slowmover]

Topography. Or, as both Cummins and Kenworth note, follow truck spec as next in order for FE. They call it, terrain.

Thought of you when I recently made the mistake of running a 79000-lb truck between two PA Interstates on a state highway. Note to self: never again. That was on a run to near Hamburg out of IL. Terrain only begins to cover a narrow 8-percenter. Sure made my day longer.

Yes, if you ever did version two or three, the aero benefit would be obvious on the long flat land runs.

I see you're over by one of the nations best CB shops. DTB Radio. Ground (bond) that lid and bed correctly and you'd improve a roof mount antenna like the low key Larsen NMO27 perceptibly.

[rdefayette]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Topography. Or, as both Cummins and Kenworth note, follow truck spec as next in order for FE. They call it, terrain.

Thought of you when I recently made the mistake of running a 79000-lb truck between two PA Interstates on a state highway. Note to self: never again. That was on a run to near Hamburg out of IL. Terrain only begins to cover a narrow 8-percenter. Sure made my day longer.

Yes, if you ever did version two or three, the aero benefit would be obvious on the long flat land runs.

I see you're over by one of the nations best CB shops. DTB Radio. Ground (bond) that lid and bed correctly and you'd improve a roof mount antenna like the low key 1257 Harrisburg Pike, Unit B, Carlisle, PA perceptibly.

How have things been? What were you doing in Hamburg? Cabela's? Yes, DTB is right at the Middlesex exit off 81. 'Bout 14 miles straight north of me. I'm actually midway between Carlisle and Gettysburg. If you look at a topo map of PA. you'll see the ridge lies that get pretty bad in the Western and Northern parts of the state. The main roads pretty much follow the valleys and the state roads got what's left over..the switchbacks. God speed and don't be a stranger. Haven't had time to mess with the truck much lately. Been real busy at work and trying to get a couple of tractor restorations finished before I start on a front porch for the wife next month. Good-bye summer.

[slowmover]

Work the Central and Eastern time zones hauling a pneumatic behind a small block Cummins. No big Cat anymore, as when in oilfield. I get on the big road at 35-40 mph daily. But it's a helluva lot easier to load a lighter rig. Almost an art as it sure ain't a science. 1000-lbs lighter than the other guys rigs makes the job easier as we all have to hit a target weight.

I'm about four years behind on changes to my pickup. From the well of divorce debt up to the hole of debt, ha!

[rdefayette]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Work the Central and Eastern time zones hauling a pneumatic behind a small block Cummins. No big Cat anymore, as when in oilfield. I get on the big road at 35-40 mph daily. But it's a helluva lot easier to load a lighter rig. Almost an art as it sure ain't a science. 1000-lbs lighter than the other guys rigs makes the job easier as we all have to hit a target weight.

I'm about four years behind on changes to my pickup. From the well of divorce debt up to the hole of debt, ha!

4 roger that.

[slowmover]

Was through your area again this past week. But now pulling a 53'. Man, how I hate crosswinds. 22F and icy doesn't help either when the four-wheelers get confused. Any reduction to steering inputs is huge for FE (Kenworth sez measurable by inputs per 100-miles). I've a hard time convincing Dodge diesel owners how important zero steering slop really is. Add in some aero mods as with yours and it'd be an eye opener for them to drive one that's been optimized.

With this giant company, getting them to replace shocks on this tractor and servicing fifth wheel properly (a steering component) will make a real difference for controlling the rig in winds (as well as on rutted roads, with passing trucks, etc).

Aero ain't just a nice reduction to the annual average fuel burn. It's right there with safety as well.

[rdefayette]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Was through your area again this past week. But now pulling a 53'. Man, how I hate crosswinds. 22F and icy doesn't help either when the four-wheelers get confused. Any reduction to steering inputs is huge for FE (Kenworth sez measurable by inputs per 100-miles). I've a hard time convincing Dodge diesel owners how important zero steering slop really is. Add in some aero mods as with yours and it'd be an eye opener for them to drive one that's been optimized.

With this giant company, getting them to replace shocks on this tractor and servicing fifth wheel properly (a steering component) will make a real difference for controlling the rig in winds (as well as on rutted roads, with passing trucks, etc).

Aero ain't just a nice reduction to the annual average fuel burn. It's right there with safety as well.

Yes it is, nothing worse than getting blown all over the place. What I did notice when I put the cap on is the pressure ridge from OTR trucks passing me doesn't seem to affect the truck as much. Air kinda rolls off the back of the truck instead of pushing me over to the side. What do they have you doing out in this neck of the woods? Tomorrow and Tuesday will be interesting. Weather forecast is calling for 50-60 mph gusts with a steady 35-40 for 2 days. Good to hear from you hope all is going well. BTW, Merry (belated) Christmas and Happy New Year.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Aero ain't just a nice reduction to the annual average fuel burn. It's right there with safety as well.

I could not agree more, which is why my mods focused on reducing pick-up truck lift and creating down-force.

This is different than what we usually do in this forum, which is reduction of Cd.

I'd like to think I've done both, but have no idea other than knowing that I've lowered my fuel consumption, and improved the handling at speed, and in bad weather.

I like the design featured in this thread for it's simplicity.

[slowmover]

Handling matters greatly. Not simply for combined rigs -- my work tractor and current 53' trailer at 72' overall; or my truck and travel trailer at 65' -- but for any high center of gravity vehicle where the primary design purpose is to do work.

That tire contact patch can only take so much pressure before giving way.

Bob, I'm out running the US east of Big Muddy out of Fort Worth. Dropped a trailer at a Home Depot distribution center. Then shuttled an empty up the mountain to Tunkahannock [?]. A "priority" load of 7.33-tons of toilet paper for the not so good citizens if Detroit, ha!

With the winds pushing, below freezing temps and stupid deaf four wheelers, one ca do without the wind.

The appeal of your build is that simplicity as kachi remarks. And permanence. A better truck all around.

Best for the New Year.

[rdefayette]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Handling matters greatly. Not simply for combined rigs -- my work tractor and current 53' trailer at 72' overall; or my truck and travel trailer at 65' -- but for any high center of gravity vehicle where the primary design purpose is to do work.

That tire contact patch can only take so much pressure before giving way.

Bob, I'm out running the US east of Big Muddy out of Fort Worth. Dropped a trailer at a Home Depot distribution center. Then shuttled an empty up the mountain to Tunkahannock [?]. A "priority" load of 7.33-tons of toilet paper for the not so good citizens if Detroit, ha!

With the winds pushing, below freezing temps and stupid deaf four wheelers, one ca do without the wind.

The appeal of your build is that simplicity as kachi remarks. And permanence. A better truck all around.

Best for the New Year.

safe travels my friend.

[gumby79]

Nice to see a nother opening Aero Tonto. I see you did the same . Function over form. Try some tuft testing. You should see some major vortices on the sharp corners . My cap is made with 1"x .065 square perimeter and 1/2" x.065 round spars and 12mil shrink wrap. =35lbs . I agree your .040 Aluminum skin would be very time consuming and difficult to create compound curves . Nice compromise between ease of build and form. . My build

Falling snowflakes give a good visual on air flow. For aerodynamic testing to see were and what changes to make for V2.0. Looking forward to your continued progress.