spud1957 wrote:
laknox wrote:
Njmurvin wrote:
I recently sold my old 5th wheel and am in the market for its replacement. I like the floor plans of some of the Grand Design and other mfr models. Many lack a rear cap. Besides the fact that a rear cap is nicer looking (in my opinion), are there other reasons why having a rear cap is better or worse(more/less prone to leaks, easier/harder to repair, etc.)?
IMO, the biggest reason, besides looks, for a rear cap is to increase efficiency by reducing turbulence behind the trailer. That is one of the largest components of drag on a vehicle. I have no experience with one, so can't comment on leaks, repairs, etc.
Lyle
Not saying right or wrong but I'd like to see some stats on that.
Seems a bit of a stretch. If it was so,I would think the manufacturer would publish that as a selling feature.
That's why target bullets have boattails, to help the airflow around them and reduce turbulence for accuracy. It's why fish are "bullet-shaped", too, and where we learned it from. :-) =Turbulence= is simply huge in producing drag. FWIW, the old SR-71 Blackbird spy plane produced > 50% of its total aerodynamic drag from the bypass air being blasted out of the front of the engine nacelles as the inlet spikes closed off the inlet. Pure turbulence... I read an analysis...somewhere...that said that if the bypass air could have been channeled better, they could, possibly, have flown several hundred MPH faster, due to less drag. Dunno, I'm not an aero-E, but it sure sounds feasible, provided the materials would have stood up the it.
Lyle
