46 Woodie
Elfin Forest, CA 92029
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Joined: 01/17/2008
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I have had too much time on my hands I guess. I have wondered about the feasibility of someone coming up with a light weight yet strong nose piece for the front end of TCs. I am not talking about making one myself; I am just curious of what your thoughts are. Is one reason no one has come up with this before is due to regulations prohibiting that much overhang over the truck hood? I would envision a somewhat generic fiberglass, reinforced fairing/ nose cone that would be attached to the existing forward portion of the cab over. On this board I have seen the neat small vee shaped deflector that goes under the cab over but I am talking about a big thing. Any thoughts?
Thanks John
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John H
Kansas City Mo.
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Joined: 04/11/2002
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The Co. went out of business, but check out the older "Shadow Cruisers", TC's.
John H
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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Guess you can call it a Jimmy Durantie. If you don't remember hin google it. Bill
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46 Woodie
Elfin Forest, CA 92029
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Did the shadow cruisers benifit from any mpg increase?
Thanks
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lancealot12001
Ohio
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Joined: 05/15/2004
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I hauled a 9-1/2' hardside Shadow Cruiser on a F250. The Shadow Cruiser was narrow (7-1/2'), fairly lightweight, and had an aerodynamic fiberglass nosecone and fins on the rear of the camper. As best as I can remember, my mpg remained the same whether hauling the TC or not.
2005 Chevy Silverado LT 3500 DRW CC 4x4 Duramax/Allison
2001 Lance 1121
2002 Lund Fisherman
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PJ Colahan
Antioch, CA
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Joined: 04/15/2008
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Most TC's have some type of aerodynamics to the cab over section.
The only part that I can see that is directly effected by the TC is the area between the truck and cab over section. The small airfoil that you mentioned really helped on my rig.
The problem is the TC isn't like a semi trailer with a blunt face. If you look at the foils and other accessories for semi trailers they have similar form to our TC's front face as they are.
It is probably possible to improve on this with wind tunnel testing and some very interesting design work. Unfortunately, I don't know that you would truly gain that much out of it and unless you have a sufficient design variation from what we see today you couldn't patent it and everyone would be copying it into their camper designs at the factory.
Sorry, been dealing with people and our patents and have a very cynical view.
PJ
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scotto0609
babylon,ny
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Joined: 12/22/2003
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You could put a large wing on the back and call it a superbirdcamper/daytonacamper!!!!
scotto
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SugarHillCTD
Sugar Hill, NH, USA
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Joined: 11/29/2003
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From casual observation, it would appear that the rear of TV/TC combo is more of an aerodynamic disaster.
Think of the ideal aero shape- the "teardrop". While the front of a TV/TC combo isn't too close to the rounded shape of a teardrop, the rear is VERY different. We tend to think of the front splitting the wind but ignore the wind once it goes past our unit. But the vacuum that we pull down the road is a big drag, literally.
Why trucking companies haven't done something about this might have to do with length restrictions, etc.. But given fuel's continued climb- the need to squeeze every mpg out of commercial shipping (and RVs) will continue to climb also.
Just my 2 cents.
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC/LB 4x4 Cummins/6 speed- GONE
2006 Northstar 850SC- GONE too
1993 BMW K1100RS a.k.a. Hades, the new "RV"
2007 Kaw 250R
Best friend/DW on the passenger seat
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silversand
Montreal
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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Quote:the rear is VERY different. We tend to think of the front splitting the wind but ignore the wind once it goes past our unit. But the vacuum that we pull down the road is a big drag...
I agree with this 100%. It's the rear of the TC that requires the attention, not the front.
Good luck,
Silver-
Silver
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 6.0L Ext/LB Tow Package 4L80E Michelin AT2s| Outfitter Caribou
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46 Woodie
Elfin Forest, CA 92029
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That is a very good point. I have seen the odd little bump type things on a couple of TCs. I will noodle on your good comments some more. Does some kind of spoiler on the roof have any merit?
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