AeroCaps - for Pickups
A Project to create a More Fuel Efficient 2008 Dodge Dakota Pickup, increasing Efficiency using basic Aerodynamics and Air Flow Control with AeroCap shapes.
May be applied to all Pickup Brands and Styles with variations, and adjusted for Non-Pickup Style Vehicles, creating Boat-Tails for the same purpose.
aero - derived from aeronautics, Aerodynamic Force -
the resultant force exerted on a body by the air (or some other gas) in which the body is immersed, and is due to the relative motion between the body and the fluid.
cap - A camper shell, sometimes known as a topper or cap, is a small housing or rigid canopy used as a pickup truck accessory atop the pickup
Pickup - A pickup truck (or simply pickup) is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear
AeroCaps - (Plural) Multiple Designs to Be Developed for varying stylistic and functionality in both aerodynamic and physical performance.
This Project is being fited on my Truck, a 2008 Dodge Dakota Extra Cab Pickup Truck.
It's purpost is to increase the Aerodynamic performance and fuel efficiency of the Vehicle.
It is also a desig project for the sake of learning how to handle materials,
as well as managing matching curves (mirror images)!
Some images of the work in progress:
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Right Side View of the Aerocap showing the general curvature. |
General view of the Aerocap from the Right Rear. |
The Rear View of the cap as you would see it in traffic. |
About what you would see of the aerocap as you passed it. |
It has already shown itself as being valuable in two areas, the vehicle is now more quiet, with
less turbulence, and less noise in the Pickup Cab; and the fuel efficiency is typically on par with EPA or
Canadian Fuel Effiency Ratings, even though I am not driving just 90 Kmh!
While I work on this project for pickup trucks, and others, the web site work will progress slowly.
Most of the information so far about the Aerocap is in the Blog....Please view my Blog for now.
A Recent Intersting Discovery - is the
ViGYAN's Low Speed Wind Tunnel
, in Hampton, Virginia. This could be used for our final testing of values on samples after the
tuft-testing has been done along the way.
I have yet to begin to prepare for tuft-testing, but have started to look at what might be needed to
record the activity, video, and data, without interferring with the airflow in a road test.
Links to other Aerocap and Aerocaps web sites, Fuel Efficiency Tools:
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Scangauge - The Ultra Compact, 3-in-one Automotive Computer
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EV World: Streamlining Light Truck Fuel Economy
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Think Auto: Aerocaps - as in Aerodynamic Fuel Caps
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Aircraft Spruce: AERO FUEL CAPS - ALUMINUM
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Ecomodder: Truck loads & AeroCaps
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Ecomodder: Nissan Kingcab Aerocap
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Suburban Wind Power: Aerocap Towers
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MPG Research: AeroCap
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Katmandew: Stevens Aero CAP Construction
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Clothing - Pricegrabber: Montane Aero Cap
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Metrompg.com: Testing grille blocking & wheel skirts
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EV World: Free Fuel Riding on the Wind
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ecomodder: The Phil Knox fleet - 34 years of aeromodding
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ezmpg: Add a MPG Gauge to any car with OBDII
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PLXKiwi: Drive Smarter with Kiwi
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Need More Gauges - Check out PLX
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Rev by DevToaster with OBD, Built-in Metrics, & Visual Representations
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Need Data Logging? See iMFD Data Logger, iMFD SM to USB Adapter
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GasSavers: Aero mod on a S-10 pick up with canopy
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GasSavers: Aerodynamic auto designs, past and present