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| Fuel Economy Discuss how to achieve better fuel economy. |
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How do I attach front wheel skirts?
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05-03-2006, 08:27 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Vehicles: '05 Insight 5-speed
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Posts: 134
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How do I attach front wheel skirts?
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?
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Regards,
Don Church
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05-04-2006, 01:07 AM
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Veteran
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Vehicles: 2004 Prius Hatchback
Location: Surrey B.C
Posts: 1,410
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Re: How do I attach front wheel skirts?
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!
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probably the highest mpg for the highest average speed hypermiler
04 civic 5spd > prius 03 > prius 04 > bmw 318is > vw 2009 tdi dsg > 2007 Q7 V8 > 2012 Evoque Range Rover> back to prius 04 with 250k on the odo getting 45 mpg+ while driving 80 mph
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05-04-2006, 04:27 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Vehicles: 2004 Toyota Prius
Location: Raleigh, NC
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Re: How do I attach front wheel skirts?
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.
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05-04-2006, 10:04 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Vehicles: '05 Insight 5-speed
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Posts: 134
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Re: How do I attach front wheel skirts?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by krousdb
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.
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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.
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Regards,
Don Church
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05-04-2006, 07:47 PM
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PZEV, there's nothing like it :)
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Vehicles: Accord, Ranger, and anything else ;)
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 42,597
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Re: How do I attach front wheel skirts?
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
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