Work begun on the cap for the flatbed.

[ChazInMT]

No, just a decent 2" radius would do wonders to eliminate the "Edge Of DOOM"...just kidding about the doom thing, it really isn't that big a deal. I'm sure this cover has done wonders for highway cruising and FE.

Awesome work.

[freebeard]

aerohead -- ...and the roof of the 'closet' is a lid in the truck bed? That's brilliant!

[Xist]

Can you guys explain this using hand puppets?

Mackerel, what if you nailed a 1"x1" strip to the inside corners and then used a router or belt sander on the outside?

How do you plan on weatherproofing it?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by freebeard

aerohead -- ...and the roof of the 'closet' is a lid in the truck bed? That's brilliant!

I think the folks at HONDA woke up and did this with their Ridgeline pickup.Since it's a uni-body construction they had some latitude on structural placement.
The downside of their design would be developing a flat tire with a load of drywall onboard.With a
'rear' access it doesn't matter what's in the bed.You can always get to the spare.

[mackerel]

So the closet door is external, on the back side? I'm trying to figure if I'd have enough room for a ball hitch as well. At this time, I have no proper bumper. The tail lights are in a piece of very thin aluminum plate that hangs down from the bed frame. Sometimes I've imagined a box for the spare (and other emergency supplies) in that space. But the draw bar to hold the ball/receiver would have to be low enough to make a gap big enough for the tire to get through.

The other question is: How big of radius is enough to avoid vortices?

I just added Zip tape on the seams, and between the cab and front edge of the cap. I'll need some kind of back window, and some bug screen on the front window facing the back window of the cab. I'm going to add some reflective insulation (probably just mylar) on the inside too. Cross country to Chicago in two days, and Monday night is supposed to be near freezing where I'll be then.

[ChazInMT]

This surprised me. Assuming 1/2" plywood, here is my analysis of a 2" radius on your corners, It's amazing to me that it doesn't get more into the 1x3 support. You could add another 1x3 or 1x2 for more strength, but depending on how you attached it, you may just be able to plane (assuming no nails and screws that can be removed) or belt sand this without adding anything.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by mackerel

So the closet door is external, on the back side? I'm trying to figure if I'd have enough room for a ball hitch as well. At this time, I have no proper bumper. The tail lights are in a piece of very thin aluminum plate that hangs down from the bed frame. Sometimes I've imagined a box for the spare (and other emergency supplies) in that space. But the draw bar to hold the ball/receiver would have to be low enough to make a gap big enough for the tire to get through.

The other question is: How big of radius is enough to avoid vortices?

I just added Zip tape on the seams, and between the cab and front edge of the cap. I'll need some kind of back window, and some bug screen on the front window facing the back window of the cab. I'm going to add some reflective insulation (probably just mylar) on the inside too. Cross country to Chicago in two days, and Monday night is supposed to be near freezing where I'll be then.

To do the hitch would probably require a yoke to circumscribe the closet area while providing the structural hard point for he ball.
My lights and license plate are to side of door.
As to the radii,since your roofline is decelerating the air closer to the velocity on the sides,you may be looking at weak vortices if they do exist.
Someone following in a rain would be able to spot them.Tufts along the top sides should point toward the roof.Kamm's cars had this.
I wouldn't be too concerned until we get that full-scale wind tunnel where we can properly 'tune' everything.
Really like what you're doing!

[Xist]

Originally Posted by aerohead

I wouldn't be too concerned until we get that full-scale wind tunnel where we can properly 'tune' everything.
Really like what you're doing!

Somebody, build a wind tunnel now!

[mackerel]

Chaz, now re-do your diagram with 1/4" luan and 5/8" strapping.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by mackerel

chaz, now re-do your diagram with 1/4" luan and 5/8" strapping.