Wind deflector between cabover and cab
Anyone tried making a V shaped wind deflector between the cabover and the top of the truck? I have some 1/2" rubber left over from making my snow plow flap, I think that with aluminum angle iron mo...
Forum Discussion
tooldad1041... back to your Airfoil build,
As you know the idea behind the Airfoil or air deflectors developed by others is to elimanate as much of the high speed air flow from entering the space between the trucks cab and the bottom of the truck campers cabover.... without creating a vacuum (negitive air pressure) that sucks dirt through the area between the trucks cab and the trucks bed up behind the deflector.
Most of us desire to minimize spalttered bugs on the bulkhead and to minimize noise. A little increase in fuel economy is a deffinate bonus.
Many people have tried a lot of things with varied success to solve this problem right here on the TC forum.
One of the problems is that we all don't have wind tunnel access to be able to see the results of our efforts.
I always look for the bugs... no bugs or dirt on the bulk head equals 100% success... a pretty well balanced system will just about minimize noise too.
Poor Mans Wind Tunnel While we can't see the air moving we can see water. Use your garden hose.
Stand in centered directly in front of your parked T/TC... with the nozzel set for the hardest stream possible aim it at the front of the cabover, then move it down to the space between the truck camper and the trucks cab.
Observe:
1)Does the stream of water shoot through the gap and hit the bulkhead?
2) Or does most of the stream get diverted to the sides of the camper?
#2 is a good thing... if the water doesn't make it past the airfoil (or diverter) neither can bugs or noise inducing wind.
Workable solutions might include:
A) the swept back Airfoil with it's holes to eliminate the vacuum effect.
B) totally enclosing the area between the cab and the bulkhead of the truck camper
Many other ideas that have been tried by truck camper owners with varying success... and often some negitives.
I have seen wind deflectors mounted on top of the radiators on commercial tractor/trailer combanations to keep the windows clean or in an attempt to get better mpg. Examine them in truck stops for ideas.
So... while you have your water hose out it's a good time to wash your rig while you think about your observations.
Sleepy
As you know the idea behind the Airfoil or air deflectors developed by others is to elimanate as much of the high speed air flow from entering the space between the trucks cab and the bottom of the truck campers cabover.... without creating a vacuum (negitive air pressure) that sucks dirt through the area between the trucks cab and the trucks bed up behind the deflector.
Most of us desire to minimize spalttered bugs on the bulkhead and to minimize noise. A little increase in fuel economy is a deffinate bonus.
Many people have tried a lot of things with varied success to solve this problem right here on the TC forum.
One of the problems is that we all don't have wind tunnel access to be able to see the results of our efforts.
I always look for the bugs... no bugs or dirt on the bulk head equals 100% success... a pretty well balanced system will just about minimize noise too.
Poor Mans Wind Tunnel While we can't see the air moving we can see water. Use your garden hose.
Stand in centered directly in front of your parked T/TC... with the nozzel set for the hardest stream possible aim it at the front of the cabover, then move it down to the space between the truck camper and the trucks cab.
Observe:
1)Does the stream of water shoot through the gap and hit the bulkhead?
2) Or does most of the stream get diverted to the sides of the camper?
#2 is a good thing... if the water doesn't make it past the airfoil (or diverter) neither can bugs or noise inducing wind.
Workable solutions might include:
A) the swept back Airfoil with it's holes to eliminate the vacuum effect.
B) totally enclosing the area between the cab and the bulkhead of the truck camper
Many other ideas that have been tried by truck camper owners with varying success... and often some negitives.
I have seen wind deflectors mounted on top of the radiators on commercial tractor/trailer combanations to keep the windows clean or in an attempt to get better mpg. Examine them in truck stops for ideas.
So... while you have your water hose out it's a good time to wash your rig while you think about your observations.
Sleepy
