I wonder how  a small 4 foot by 4 foot box
trailer  affects the drag behind a Vanagon? Any
info?

Robert

1982 Westfalia

--- Frank Grunthaner <FrankGRUN@AOL.COM> wrote:

> In a message dated 7/28/07 2:47:37 PM,
> albell@UVIC.CA writes:
>
>
> > Finally a worthwhile discussion :)
> >
> > Frank, hats off on your undercarriage work.
> Definitely a do-able
> > solution. The rear low press problem is
> harder. Instead of trying to
> > fair that area how about an attempt to "curve
> the flow" in there?
> > While not nearly as effective it may be more
> practicable. I'm
> > thinking of wings/winglets on top and sides.
> We've seen some full
> > width top wings and the smaller deflectors
> (linked posted on list a
> > few years ago, NZ? firm making small
> deflectors).
> >
> > A splitter also may be effective. Flat panel
> perpendicular to rear
> > hatch, length to be determined.
> >
> > I have a spare small water tunnel that my
> revell Vanagon model would
> > fit in. Would be useful for flow
> visualization and perhaps some
> > scaled drag values.
> >
> >
> > Alistair
> > Alistair,
>
> Good idea. The Revell kits are very accurate.
> You would have to fill it with
> a hydrophobic fill to make certain there were
> no spurious flow paths. Bees
> wax! The deflector would at first thought
> increase drag, but the energy release
> by eliminating or backfilling the low pressure
> zone should overcome any drag
> addition. I like the idea of the liquidics test
> with some marker streams. I
> believe that there are some interesting fluoro
> emitters when excited by turbulent
> flow as well.
>
> BTW, the pressure characteristics at the back
> of the van are very complex. A
> partially opened hatch still gives rise to a CO
> increase inside the van if the
> windows are closed.
>
> Frank
>
>
>
>
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