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Help!

I have an extra 4'X8' sheet of black Coroplast and I'm starting to brainstorm about where it could be used.

I read somewhere about krousdb thinking about attaching front wheel skirts and using rubber bands at the lower part so the turning wheel could move the skirt out, and then retract it when the wheel straightens out. Sounds feasible.
So I was just out in the garage, cutting a panel to cover the front wheel wheel.
I left about an inch extra at the top edge to fold over and act as the top hinge. The inner fender is plastic, so I will just screw through the Coroplast into the plastic.

I'm finished cutting, now to figure out the rubber band spring retraction system.

At 50-55 mph speeds, I wonder how much this is worth? 1 mpg, maybe?

i forgot the front wheels turn, no wonder side skirts for the front is such a pain.

with proper side skirts i think the gain can be as much as 3 to 5 mpg since there's a lot of drag under those wheels, all that air hitting all those bumps for nothing!

I was thinking of one screw at the top which would act as a hinge. Then screws at each end for rubber band attachment. Not sure it rollers are needed. You will have to see how much friction there is when the tire hits the plastic. You might get by with no rollers.

Not sure it rollers are needed. You will have to see how much friction there is when the tire hits the plastic. You might get by with no rollers.

This is my big concern - will the friction of the rotating tire melt the Coroplast?

I may have to do a "Mythbuster" lab test in the garage.
Attach a old piece of bicycle tire to my side grinder and see how much abuse the Coroplast can hold up to.

Plan B is to install a rubbing block to the backside of the wheel skirt, something like a sheet of Teflon.

Hi HawkGT647:

___You may want to start by looking back at the experimental Ford Probe concept Ford did about 10 years back. It had a Cd of just .19 and used front skirts that would bulge as the wheels were about to come into contact. I have no idea how it actually worked but I bet with a few searches you would have a good idea. Sorry I don’t have the time to post a pic but it was kind of funky looking …

___Good Luck

___Wayne