simple air dam idea

[Uncle Grumpy]

Of course I've been thinking about how to properly outfit/modify the upcoming super shell and I got to pondering the gap over the truck roof.
How about this? Pool Noodle wrapped in a nice tight, maybe velcroed sunbrella sleeve and cut so it fits just right. What do you think?

 

[marty]

gap

The gap on your camper above the cab is going to be the smallest gap of any due to the camper being built with a thinner floor pack. the wood is the same only three inches shorter to allow for the higher bed level of your truck. I think the fit is going to be very good. I also think that if you or us install a mask of sort between the truck cab and cabover it would rip when the truck frame flexes unless it was very pliable and only attached to one. that is a good idea you have I think. I am trying to get a better visual of it in my mind.
And we are always looking for a better way to do stuff. Please don't get me wrong we build a fantastic camper. I think the best ideas come from the owners of the campers so please bounce any of them off us.

Marty

 

[marty]

pool noodle ?

Diana just clued me in by pointing out back to the pool. swimming pool noodle ? I think that is a good idea. only maybe with a better foam that lasts longer. the only draw back there would be, would be putting some thing on the paint of the truck to keep it from wearing off. Now I can see this working.

Marty

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

the only draw back there would be, would be putting some thing on the paint of the truck to keep it from wearing off
wrapped in a nice tight, maybe velcroed sunbrella sleeve
Or some other fabric that won't abrade the paint.
Always thinkin'

 

[marty]

noodle

Dirt on the fabric is my concern. However I think there is a way around this scratch problem. At one time Ben had a convertable corvette and under the top at the rear they put a thin plastic film that was a thick clear tape right on the paint. this way the dirt did not scrstch the paint. this may work with your idea.

Marty

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Isn't there some clear peel and stick stuff they use these days for anti ding protection?

 

[marty]

I have not seen that but I would believe it to be the answer to any scratches from dirt collecting on your invention. You will also need to put a name on this product. Air turbulence reduct-or might sound better than noodle but it is your thing to name. ha-ha and people think i have no humor

Marty

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/automotive_aftermarket/node_GSYWQBNVHBbe/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSLPLPKL4Xge/gvel_PKD7VS0CHGgl/theme_us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html

http://www.graphicmart.com/3mscotchgard.htm

 

[marty]

I think you found the answer to make this work. Velcro on the bottom of the bed board and on your air blockage device with the ding resistance tape on the cab to prevent scratching and presto it is done. This may block enough to increase your fuel mileage a mile or two with any luck. And now you can use any type of material to make this out of. wonder what would be soft and water repellent and color friendly with the truck and camper.

Marty

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

The only drawback I can see is the cost/accessability of the 3m tape.

 

[Kilroy]

This is a pretty neat idea. Is the idea to fill the space across the front and then bend back to the main body of the camper?

The 3m stuff is hard to find for a DIY but it looks like the same sort of thing available at the site that Uncle Grumpy listed.

Milage really takes a beating with the camper on (Hawk) and if I could find a mile a gallon it would be a 8-10% increase.

 

[marty]

air dam

Kilroy,
I think Uncle Grumpy came up with a good one here. I will be the first to tell you that I do not do rocket science but I think this will give you that one mile per gallon or about that. I do not think it will have to wrap back to the front wall to work and I think it will get rid of that wind noise that sometimes happens with an overhead camper. I wonder if contact paper would work like the stuff that is used to line drawers. some of that stuff looks fairly thick and it comes in lot's of colors so it might not look out of place on the paint. and I would think it would be much more wallet friendly.

Have a good evening,

Marty

 

[Kilroy]

Bet it would. You know they are selling some type of contact paper made to go on vehicles. I most often see it in camouflage. Not sure where to get it though. Cabela's might be a place to look. Just thinking of it as I write, will have to search later.

Dave

. I wonder if contact paper would work like the stuff that is used to line drawers. some of that stuff looks fairly thick and it comes in lot's of colors so it might not look out of place on the paint. and I would think it would be much more wallet friendly.

Have a good evening,

Marty

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

I bet a hunk of that flexible magnet sign stuff could be aquired pretty cheap!

 

[marty]

Just find a sign shop or banner store. Good idea.

 

[Hayduke]

I wondered how much overhang there is on these campers. On my FWC shell due to relatively short overhang, I had room on my truck to install one yakima roof rack and put a fairing on it. Essentially, they sell pieces of lexan that mount to the rack at an angle and the air is deflected up and away. I know this involves a certain cost, but mine has been working for 8 years now and have never had to take it off. I just leave it on the truck when the camper is off. Works great.
Hayduke

 

[bluefly]

I wondered how much overhang there is on these campers. On my FWC shell due to relatively short overhang, I had room on my truck to install one yakima roof rack and put a fairing on it. Essentially, they sell pieces of lexan that mount to the rack at an angle and the air is deflected up and away. I know this involves a certain cost, but mine has been working for 8 years now and have never had to take it off. I just leave it on the truck when the camper is off. Works great.
Hayduke

I've been thinking to mount a yakima fairing to the underside of the camper- saw a FWC with that setup in San Clemente. But all the talk on this board about flex affecting the clearance put me off deciding either way.

Head slap after reading your post, Hayduke.

 

[pvstoy]

Ok I have one that I did and will try to explain without pictures.

I have the Tule defelector that I used the same material and made it wider by attaching wings to the sides. You could just go to a plastic place and buy a bigger sheet and cut out a larger one and mount.

I had a roll of rubber that is thick enough to be strong. I went to Lowe's and bought a piece of alumimum flat stock. I attached the rubber to the top back of the plastic and put the flat stock behind the rubber and used rivets to fasten. The flat stock was cut up half way all the way across so it will fit flat with the bend and countor of the deflector.

I used the 3M clear proctor sheeting that you use for front hoods etc. and put it on the under side of the camper extension. My Ranger extends past the cab of the truck.

I remounted the deflector on the truck and have the bend-bow of the rubber foward and will glide back and forth of the 3M protoctor.

Since the install I have zero bugs on the camper where it protects and the cab noise is alot less noisier. It may have increased gas mileage. I have driven in very strong head winds and the rubber has not popped backwards.

I'll try to take some pictures to help explain.

 

[Kilroy]

Where did you fine the 3M clear protector sheeting? I've been unable to find it retail. Thanks

I used the 3M clear proctor sheeting that you use for front hoods etc. and put it on the under side of the camper extension. My Ranger extends past the cab of the truck.

I remounted the deflector on the truck and have the bend-bow of the rubber foward and will glide back and forth of the 3M protoctor.

Since the install I have zero bugs on the camper where it protects and the cab noise is alot less noisier. It may have increased gas mileage. I have driven in very strong head winds and the rubber has not popped backwards.

I'll try to take some pictures to help explain.

 

[pvstoy]

Hi Kilroy,

A friend of mine had a roll of 4" wide and it’s a little thicker than the stuff for front hoods. He sold me a strip to put on. He uses it for protecting the keel on the underside of his wood and fiberglass kayaks. So what he has is pretty tough stuff. I guess any clear adhesive would work to create a smooth interface between the rubber and the bottom of the camper. If you need me to I can call him for his supplier and name of the product.

This weekend I need to pull it out of the garage and take some pictures and post back here. Still has some Utah mud on the underside from last September that needs removing.