Author Topic: I need a better way to break wind!  (Read 5720 times)

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Offline Nutz4sand

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I need a better way to break wind!
« on: May 22, 2010, 09:26:20 AM »
Looking for a good quick easy (and CHEAP) way to turn that HUGE flat area above the cab of my F450 truck into something a GOOD bit more aerodynamic!

The white area measures 36 inches tall by 81 inches wide. The aluminum around the corners goes out about another 5-6 inches flat before it really starts to turn backwards along the sides.

Might be moving soon (VERY likely) and likely looking at a LONG trip so anything to help with the fuel mileage would be a big bonus.

Whatever I come up with will need to be cheaper to make than the fuel it will save me or its kinda a mute point.

I got a couple ideas now. But looking for some fresh e-y-e-s and input on it. Then I will state what I think I might try (ideas I have had) and see what yah all think of them if a better idea does not come up!

I have been looking for a Aerodynamic dome off a larger trailer but not having any real luck finding one...

I am also looking (just missed a killer deal :[ ) for a lil bus that will pull my 34 foot trailer. The bus will hold as much as my truck and once out at "other dunes" I can make the Bus into a mini RV/Toter-home. Most of the buses are kinda sloped in the front so that would help there too!

But if I do not find a Bus and sell this truck I would like to try to make it aerodynamic on that near sheet of plywood I am pushing dead thru the wind! 

So how would YOU build a cheap light bubble dome and secure it??

Thanx in advance for any input!   mm:
« Last Edit: May 22, 2010, 09:40:47 AM by Nutz4sand »
Your mission isn't to dive feet first into hell, but to make sure its crowded when you get there.

Online fabr

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2010, 10:09:43 AM »
Super Bubble bubble gum?
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

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Online fabr

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2010, 10:11:19 AM »
If it's for a one time use just frame it up with light guage tubing with about a 45* slope and cover it with thin plywood.
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline Nutz4sand

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2010, 11:11:48 AM »
Something like that has crossed my mind (The tubing and plywood (not the bubble gum!) But I am TRYING to go a little more bubble shaped (rounded) than to pointed. But nothings set in stone yet.
 
I also have to try to think of too much plywood in one direction would create one hell of a load in force from the air pushing on it.

I would like to push most of it over the box. But too much being pushed up would be one hell of a load being pushed down.

I also do not want to push to much air down where it will catch the air trying to go up and over the cab perhaps.

I am also not against making the device longer and running two support tubes running down to the front bumper area if I had too. Be a nice "visor" against the sun! 

(Heck at one point I was considering making it big enough to sleep in!) 
Your mission isn't to dive feet first into hell, but to make sure its crowded when you get there.

Offline Nutz4sand

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2010, 11:17:31 AM »
After thinking about what Fabr said and my last post I thought this pic should help as the front on pic its hard to see where the top of the box is.


Your mission isn't to dive feet first into hell, but to make sure its crowded when you get there.

Online fabr

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2010, 11:26:22 AM »
Know what a hip roof is? If so just do that on the front of the box.
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Online fabr

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2010, 11:30:54 AM »
Sort of like this
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline Nutz4sand

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2010, 11:31:48 AM »
Know what a hip roof is? If so just do that on the front of the box.

Didn't know it by name. Googled it and I have seen a lot of them of course.

Might have merit. Not sure of the weight I could make it and have it survive buffeting 70 mph winds and road shocks though.
Your mission isn't to dive feet first into hell, but to make sure its crowded when you get there.

Online fabr

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #8 on: May 22, 2010, 11:33:28 AM »
Front view
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Online fabr

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #9 on: May 22, 2010, 11:34:28 AM »
1/2 inch tube and 3/8 CD plywood and you're good to go. Won't add over 75#'s at most
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Online fabr

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #10 on: May 22, 2010, 11:35:21 AM »
OR 1/2" tube and aluminum skin.Available most places in white also.
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline Nutz4sand

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #11 on: May 22, 2010, 11:54:07 AM »
Even if I just build a bubble or a thing like this I am wondering about air coming in (green arrows) dealing with air build-up (yellow ball) 


Something like the bottom pic has crossed my mind (and like I mentioned above if it was big enough and strang a person could lay down in it but thats reaching) The yellow lines would be support bars.

But I still wonder if this would not trap a lot of air coming straight at the windshield?
Your mission isn't to dive feet first into hell, but to make sure its crowded when you get there.

Offline Boostinjdm

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #12 on: May 22, 2010, 11:59:04 AM »
IF it were my truck, I'd take the top corner off the box.  Might have to spend a little on rounded corners (don't know what they cost), but in the long run that seems like the best solution to me.  I don't know how long you plan on keeping the truck, or how often you plan to take the highway either.
This post has been edited due to content.

Offline BDKW1

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #13 on: May 22, 2010, 12:48:42 PM »
Go get 2 large beach balls and about 10 rolls of duct tape. Secure the inflated balls in the center of the space about 2' apart. Use tape to form a skin over them to the body of the truck. Saw this done in a wind tunnel...........
 
You don't want something wedge shaped, you need something rounded.

Offline Nutz4sand

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Re: I need a better way to break wind!
« Reply #14 on: May 22, 2010, 02:43:30 PM »
IF it were my truck, I'd take the top corner off the box.  Might have to spend a little on rounded corners (don't know what they cost), but in the long run that seems like the best solution to me.  I don't know how long you plan on keeping the truck, or how often you plan to take the highway either.

Plan to keep the truck till it dies or I find a better thing like a small toter-home or a bus I can convert.

I would prefer to keep the inside space as large as possible and just kinda add on to the outside given a choice.

Go get 2 large beach balls and about 10 rolls of duct tape. Secure the inflated balls in the center of the space about 2' apart. Use tape to form a skin over them to the body of the truck. Saw this done in a wind tunnel...........
 
You don't want something wedge shaped, you need something rounded.

Something very similair to this has been toyed with in the corners of my mind.

But for some strange reason I never thought of Duct tape! But the mention of that with my other idea might be the ticket!

Anyone else got any ideeee-eers? Gonna give it a lil more time till later to post a couple I have that are cheap and light. But may have flaws I am missing. 
Your mission isn't to dive feet first into hell, but to make sure its crowded when you get there.

 

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