Why there isn't an aerodynamic shaped RV

[pete c]

Really like the shape of that. Don't know about the trike layout though

I would think that a TDI drivetrain up front with a rear wheel tesla style EV drive would give it plenty of power. Give it enough battery to allow a few days of no generator house power.

I would think that such a vehicle could crack 30 mpg highway, without breaking a sweat.

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

You don't need aerodynamics for a storage unit.

I suggest getting rid of junk instead of storing it, and camping or getting a motel instead of bringing your house with you on your travels.

Yep.

Overall, its purpose is to be a cavernous space, the exact opposite of aero efficiency. Making it less so is too much of a design compromise- to succeed in that at all, you need either a tent in the trunk or a smaller "as much volume as I can cram onto this size frame." My compromise is a pop-up, but if you want more space you have to accept horrible mpg. Accessories need to be modular- AC systems and the like. Camper manufacturers aren't AC manufacturers, and cost & effectiveness are more important to camper companies and buyers than incremental decreases in drag.

Of course, if it were mostly about driving then you'd have a tent in the trunk. Campers are about how much space you have when you're parked, how much choice you have in parking spots and how quick/easy it is to set up once you park. Mod away to snag an extra mpg or two (huge % bump!), but they're not going to design one from the ground up for aero. Well, they already have, and those are the tiny ones.

[Hersbird]

We don't usually go places where there are hotels. We also spend very little time in the camper. A warm, dry place to sleep, a bathroom, a place to store some gear,and a place to store and cook food. An external kitchen would be best in my book. Total hards sides are a plus in bear country, not so much for sleeping but so you can leave it setup while you are away from camp andbit likely won't get bothered.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I could bet that FWD Ram van is going to be very popular among RVers, due to its lower boarding height allowing it to provide more internal height in a lower and predictably more aerodynamic package.

Originally Posted by freebeard

When's the last time you saw a motorhome with a chrome floor-shift lever?

Floor-shifters have been more frequent in my country than in the U.S., but I haven't seen any motorhome with a chrome shift lever. Black had always been more usual. Anyway, since the majority of the motorhomes back here are based in commercial truck and Euro van platforms, manual transmissions are also prevalent.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by pete c

Really like the shape of that. Don't know about the trike layout though

... Give it enough battery to allow a few days of no generator house power.

I would think that such a vehicle could crack 30 mpg highway, without breaking a sweat.

With a high-voltage AC all-electric drive train I'd hope for the equivelant of 40-45mpg. And three-wheel steering.

An electric car and a house have a similar power requirement.

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Overall, its purpose is to be a cavernous space, the exact opposite of aero efficiency. Making it less so is too much of a design compromise- to succeed in that at all, you need either a tent in the trunk or a smaller "as much volume as I can cram onto this size frame." My compromise is a pop-up

A cube and a prolate spheroid have the same volume on a per cubic foot basis (squaring the circle), the spheroid does better on a per sq ft surface area basis, but the cube wins trying to stuff it through the hole in the DMV regulations. If the regulation was cross sectional area instead of max height and width, the spheroid would win [in Cd]

The next revision of my tricycle design will replace the slide-back door with dual gull-wings. With a fold-down rocker panel and deployble awnings.

[Frank Lee]

Ease of construction is a consideration for the manufacturers as well. They don't need to tool up for expensive metal stampings when they use sheet stock for all but the front and rear endcaps which are plastic now and were 'glass in the past.

[Hersbird]

Take the flybridge off the Deco Liner and it's pretty aero.

[aerohead]

Here's something that I ran across online.

[freebeard]

bowlus [Tin Can Tourists Wiki] That's the Bowlus Motor Chief. According to the linked site, only 2 years of production for all models. I wonder how many were built.

The Decoliner has pontoon fenders and multiple axles, echoing Norman Bel Geddes.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Bel_Geddes

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

Take the flybridge off the Deco Liner and it's pretty aero.

That looks nice. What's its GVWR?