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The start of my trailer "TBNL"

PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:45 pm
by tbeau
I have got my trailer. An old pop up frame, just the perfict size for what Im going to build. I do have a couple of questions for the experts. On a lot of the squared designs the lower part of the front is sloped back, does that help much when pulling? I am going to try to post pictures of my trailer and sketches of my idea.
Image

Image

starting your trailer

PostPosted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:09 am
by rabs
Hi tbeau, If you stuck your hand out a window of your car at 60 mph you will feel the drag, so I guess that a square front on surface would be very hard on the vehicle but an angle front would at least cut the resistance down, well at least I think im right :roll:

cheers

Rabs

PostPosted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:21 am
by PaulC
Our trailers are always travelling in "dirty" air when they are being towed. Aerodynamics only play a very small, if any, part of the towing experience. I would suggest that the sloped front is a design/aesthetic appeal thing only.
Cheers
Paul :thumbsup:

PostPosted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:33 pm
by tbeau
Ok so far the vote is 1-1. I an see it both ways. has anyone towed the different types. and if so could you tell a difference.

Or better yet does anyone have a wind tunnel I could borrow. I will do the testing :SG

PostPosted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:03 pm
by schaney
From my limited reading on the topic, I'm with PaulC. If your trailer doesn't extend taller or wider than your tow vehicle, aerodynamics isn't a notable factor.

Hmmm, if aerodynamics was playing a major role, wouldn't sloping the front of the trailer back cause lift and handling issues :shock:

I didn't have a wind tunnel, although I'm shortly getting a fancy mileage / trip computer to do some mileage verses weight / wind resistance testing. If you were closer we could use it to run some tests.