bus aerodynamics

[pengyou]

I just spent too much of my day reading about improving aerodynamics ( thankfully it's been a slow day here at the kennels ) - sites about improving a semi's mileage, a couple of old skoolie threads about the subject of improving air resistance on buses - I'm planning on a roof raise and that will give me the opportunity to alter the profile of the roof line, rounding off both front and back, at no or little extra cost ( labour not taken into account ) -using conveyor belting to make a front air dam, side skirts, and an abbreviated tail to reduce wind turbulence at the back, will make quite a difference - belting can be low to the ground for maximum effect and is flexible if more ground clearance is needed - I'm pretty sure I can get all the belting I need for a case of beer - so the cost of going for some aerodynamic improvements will be small and going by the improvements in mileage I achieved with a simple scoop on the awkward load I mentioned before, I think a 10% improvement is reachable - with the $6.40 we are paying here for an Imperial gal of cheap gas, that 10%, or even less of an improvement, will make quite a difference on a 2000 or 3000 mile trip - if it's only 10%, I'll could save $240 on one 3000 mile trip

What is belting?

 

[Sleddgracer]

What is belting?

conveyor belting

 

[pengyou]

conveyor belting

Which is.....??

 

[Sleddgracer]

Which is.....??

rubber belting used on conveyors

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sou...aw1wdLORy3m8wACt8nlH99XB&ust=1553982448537262

 

[o1marc]

Which is.....??

You've never seen a conveyor belt before? The belts are repurposed when worn out or broken. An appropriate size piece can be used for airdam and skirts. Sort of like mudflap material.

 

[pengyou]

You've never seen a conveyor belt before? The belts are repurposed when worn out or broken. An appropriate size piece can be used for airdam and skirts. Sort of like mudflap material.

Thanks! Yes, I have...but was not aware that it could be repurposed to use on a skoolie!

 

[Sleddgracer]

Thanks! Yes, I have...but was not aware that it could be repurposed to use on a skoolie!

with skoolies we get to do it our way - many of us are on a tight budget, so costs are important too - for safety's sake, what we do has to be safe and legal - for something like air dams that for best effect, have to be low to the ground, I can't really think off hand of anything more suitable than rubber belting - if you hit a rock or curb with it,it will bend and fall back into place - as long as it's well fastened at the top, no damage done unless the paint job needs a bit of a touch up - 3 or 4 ply belting is amply stiff enough to deflect air -using custom air dams could easily run into $1000's and rubber belting is cheap, or if you know the right people in the right places, it can be free