V-Nose Towing Theory
New member, old question. Is it easier to tow a V-Nose or Flat Nose trailer? In context, I'm planning on a custom travel trailer made out of the hull of a cargo trailer and I probably will have to...
Forum Discussion
jmtandem wrote:
I think you did a pretty good job of delineating the issues of a V nose trailer. Two things I would add. How much compromise inside the trailer will the V nose create and can you live with it? And, where I live the wind blows all the time (almost) and to tow with a V nose there will almost always be a frontal area that the wind is hitting unless the wind is from the rear. So, for me a V nose is not in the cards.
In a no wind situation rolling resistance is more important than wind resistance up to around 40-45 miles per hour. The time spent over 40-45 mph is when wind resistance becomes important. So, the nose shape is not that much of an issue under 40-45 mph.
Thanks! A V-nose would be a compromise if it prevented a back-hatch from opening, but otherwise it actually increases cargo space a bit and one could probably find another vented spot for propane / batteries on a custom camper build.
I don't think wind and wind direction is any factor for the V-nose trailer. From what I've read of real world experience, it's easier to tow in windy places regardless of wind direction. Not sure if that's legit but I could conjecture that because the forward-moving trailer is more evenly splitting the air in front due to the V, there will be a more consistent equally-pressured air on both sides of the trailer. Whereas a flat-fronted trailer is blasting the air out of the way, air doesn't adhere as much to the sides of the trailer, and a crosswind of any angle can switch pressurized air streams from one side of the trailer to the other and cause wobbling.
Either way, if wind hits the front of your flat trailer at a 45-degree angle it's going to push on that surface pretty equally to if it hits the side of a V at a 90-degree angle. Wind force doesn't drop away that much with angle change. Hence if you're making wind turbines there is not a huge difference between a 60-degree and a 30-degree blade angle; more important is the overall surface area the wind will affect and spinning stability since mechanical wobbling drastically reduces energy efficiency.
