ACR Clamshell Trailer Project

[NSviper]

Last spring I was trying to help out a friend, knowing it probably wasn't for the best, as I got caught in a wind and snow storm. Fortunately, the trailer was still empty, as the accident happened on the way to pick up his Prowler. As you will see, the wind took the trailer and I lost control. There began my thought process of getting a low-profile trailer. Looked for, but could not find a enclosed, low-profile trailer that I wanted, so driving home from VOI12, I decided to try to build one myself. It will be hinged at the front and hydraulically lifted at the rear, opening like a clamshell. The following photos will show the process, up to where I am at so far. Will let you all know when the paint and hydraulic system is complete, and on the trailer. Photos to come.................

In the beginning..... 3 months ago!

Transferring profile.

Hot wire shaping.

Block #2 added.

All three blocks, glued and fastened.

Me, sanding the plug outside on a nice day, too keep down on the dust in my garage. Thinking, why did I start this project???

Plug covered in plastering compound.

First coat of paint.

Taping off, to paint on the green. Getting a idea of the final paint job.

Loading up the plug to get fiberglassed. Kind of nervous right now!

Christmas Day, looking to see where to place the hinge.

 

[AZTVR]

Wow !!!! Very ambitious !!

 

[tbsviper]

Few observations. First glad you walked away from accident. Second I think that is why you started the project. Third really ambitious and looks very cool. Will be nice to see the finished project. Definitely will turn heads on the highway and should be safer but I don't think the Prowler will fit.

 

[JAY]

Cool Project ! Look forward to seeing the finished product !

 

[Richard Koch]

Niice work! That is a very ambitious project. I think that will the most sinister looking trailer you will ever see. It would be interesting to determine the drag coefficient. It should be very good.

Good luck and keep up the good work. I imagine you will keep the molds to build some more for other people out there.

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

Great project..... And cool flag!!!!!!

 

[David Pintaric]

Pete Brock makes a low profile lightweight aero trailer. He is a BRE Datsun racing fame.

 

[AZTVR]

Pete Brock makes a low profile lightweight aero trailer. He is a BRE Datsun racing fame.

Beautiful, great design; and priced as such. aerovault brochure

I'm sure that the OP did his research and being a DIY type gives him other options. That magnitude of project usually takes more effort/cost than one anticipates though !!!


Here are a couple of lightweight enclosed trailers that I have seen at the track. Probably not as aerodynamic or secure: http://www.montrosetrailers.com/gallery/automobile_trailers/MVC_010F

http://www.serpentexpress.com/description.html

 

[eucharistos]

that is too cool

thanks for posting the build pics

 

[Jmch]

Very cool project.. I think it will need the hood emblem when finished

 

[3whitevipers]

Does anyone on this site have any experience with the Serpent Express??--Dave

 

[NSviper]

Thanks guys for the positive feed back. Where I live, to be involved in any VCA event, I have got at least a days drive. . I have estimated the trailer should come in 2000lb lighter then my conventional trailer. and with being more stream'lined. With the price of fuel these days it should save me some cash. Jmch, I have the emblem and the fangs rear brake light for it

 

[troublemaker]

Nice work. I do have a question. How much clearance is there between the car and the shell. And for that matter how do you secure the car, at the frame or at the suspension? The only reason I ask is when we used a low profile trailer for towing race quads, we had to take extra precaution at securing the frames down as the suspension would unload over bumps and actually move up enough to hit the trailer. I know it's a different animal and its probably something that has already gone through your head, but I was curious all the same.

 

[NSviper]

Nice work. I do have a question. How much clearance is there between the car and the shell. And for that matter how do you secure the car, at the frame or at the suspension? The only reason I ask is when we used a low profile trailer for towing race quads, we had to take extra precaution at securing the frames down as the suspension would unload over bumps and actually move up enough to hit the trailer. I know it's a different animal and its probably something that has already gone through your head, but I was curious all the same.

I am going to be securing at the frame. There is 9 inches at front and rear, and sides. There is 8 inches over the top.

 

[Nadine UK GTS]

What a cool project, the painted plug looks great, thanks for sharing your pics of the progress. A lot of work, but in the scheme of things, worth every bit.
This is just what I need to put the Comp Coupe under when on its open trailer in the olde UK wet weather!

 

[Wiretech]

That is an excellent idea, you may have to make it air tight and waterproof and take it for a test run first with a different car if possible. Great job

 

[AZTVR]

That is an excellent idea, you may have to make it air tight and waterproof and take it for a test run first

Definitely a good idea to somehow measure deflection of the cover under various conditions at towing speed. The aerodynamic effects may not be obvious. Of course, if there is a lot of bracing or stiffening ribs backing up the shell, it might be obviously stiff enough.

 

[VYPR BYT 94]

I like it!

Just thinking outloud here... don't scrap the mold. After you're done you could take some orders for these things. It would only be a couple orders I'm sure, but still would fund this project yes?

Nice job.
Mike

 

[ACR steve]

Way to creative and way too time consuming- guessing you are retired or have older kids looks great though and you mayreally be onto something ....... you may want to check out a patent oppertunity

 

[Mopar Boy]

Man, where the heck do you find time to pull this little project off!? I need to move east for more free time!

Nice work. Sorry to see about the trailer and truck!

 

[CaptainDavid]

Cool as Grits !!!!!

 

[witz323]

This project is just filled with awesomness. I can not wait to see the final trailer.

 

[Mopar Boy]

Yeah. Where is the update!?

 

[NSviper]

Yeah. Where is the update!?

Ok Rob. I was going to wait until it was finished, but seeing who you are .The hydraulics were finished today, so its going to the paint shop tomorrow. Here are some more pics.

This is what is left after 3 months of hard work!

At the body shop.

At the hydraulic shop.

 

[Chelseasnake]

are you going to wrap the cover or paint? it would be neat if you took a pic of your car and made a wrap of it.

 

[Mopar Boy]

Holy poop!

You are a sucker for a lot of work! Looks great!

Thanks for the pics! I'm honored.

 

[JAY]

WOW ! Nice work ! Look forward to seeing the finished product !

 

[cowger]

Looks fantastic already, even before paint...

Do all the chunks of styrofoam on the floor mean that the plug had to be destroyed in the process?

 

[VYPR BYT 94]

...Do all the chunks of styrofoam on the floor mean that the plug had to be destroyed in the process?

Yes, the foam served its purpose. He now has a fiberglass mold so no harm... the foam was just the "pattern" for the mold.
That's gonna look great rolling down the road... Oooops - maybe I shouldn't use the word "rolling"

 

[NSviper]

The Final Phase!
Just left the paint shop this morning. Thought I would post some pictures. If I knew how to upload a video, I would, but for now, am at the mercy of my kids.... hope they drop by soon so we can make it happen! Will post the fuel economy savings that I am hoping this trailer will achieve, as I have to justify the money I spent on this project, to my wife, with great fuel savings!

** ACH stands for either American Club Hauler or Aerodynamic Car Hauler. What do you guys think?

This is basically finished, just need to do some fine tuning. Put a rubber seal around the bottom and some drop down supports at the rear and the electric Fangs brake light.