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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: camera
    Posted: 01 Nov 2018 at 10:46am
Found it:  http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10996&KW=spoiler+video&PID=103301&title=towing-mpg#103301

Check out the link in the text that'll take you to several video simulations.  It says "on that channel" in blue.
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Fred & Maria Kearney
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Nov 2018 at 12:02pm
Kewl lostagain,

If the airstream is going to become unstuck from the camper, which it inevitably will with the steep backs of our trailers, then the value of a spoiler is to try to get that airflow away from the trailer as much as possible as soon as possible. Hence the term 'spoiler". 

The video simulations seem to show that a spoiler won't do much to move the needle, the negative pressure gradient behind the trailer is just too big to overcome. That was what I suspected when I said I thought the FR spoiler was stuck on there more for looks than functionality. 

One thing that might help is something like these vortex generators which go aft on the sides of RV's, but boy are they ugly.

http://www.airtab.com/application-rv.htm

I can also see why you might get a little improvement with a spoiler placed aft on the wo vehicle to try to keep the airstream out of the space between the TV and the trailer. Like this:

http://www.purplelineusa.com/products-aeroplus.php
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Nov 2018 at 1:31pm
The second one looks a little like the wedge shaped roof of my camper shell [topper to those in the east].  
My solution is just to <60 and not worry about it.  

So does the wind suck or push a sailboat sailing on any point of sail other than dead down wind?
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Fred & Maria Kearney
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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Nov 2018 at 2:43pm
Originally posted by offgrid

+1 I to have my lights on when towing anyway so the license plate light would be fine.

The trailer rear id light requirement could have been met with a much much smaller and easier to seal light bar.  More room for solar that way too. I'm sure I could find a more robust spare tire cover if that was the only problem. I  think that its likely driven FR's marketing folks, they probably just decided a spoiler would look "cool". Like lots of he spoilers you see on cars, they often increase drag. I bet they've never done any actual wind tunnel testing or cfd analysis to optimize the spoiler design Big smile

Everyone has different priorities.  If FR did everything people here said they should the Pod would cost more than an Airstream, weigh as much as a semi truck, and each trailer would have things added that would produce a many complaints as the current models do.  They are what they are.
Keith-N-Dar
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Nov 2018 at 3:47pm
+1 to Keith. There is a reason is it affordable and thus so popular. Some of the newer models have many of the mods some of us have applied. It's never going to be a 30K trailer for 18K, hopefully.
Mike Carter
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Nov 2018 at 4:10pm
+1 to Kieth & Da.  And hopefully it's never going to be a $18K trailer for $30K.
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Fred & Maria Kearney
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Nov 2018 at 4:20pm
Lostagain, the way you phrased your question and knowing you're an experienced sailor I think you already know the answer. A sail is an airfoil unless going downwind. A vertical airplane wing with pressure differential between the fore and aft surfaces driving the boat. So, yep, it sucks.

Keith-N-Dar I agree that the rPod can't have all kinds of things added to it without costing too much. I'm not suggesting adding anything, quite the opposite. The difference here is that the spoiler costs FR money and doesn't appear to add any useful benefit, in fact it increases the risk of leaks. It appears to be purely someone's idea of what's aesthetically pleasing. It would be a win win to just leave it off. 

it could be worse though LOL
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Nov 2018 at 7:58pm
When I had the spoiler added it was for a recall about clearance lights.  In retrospect, especially since the dealer didn't do such a hot job wiring the fender lights, I would have preferred to mount a small bar across the back to hold the 3 lights with no roof penetrations, instead being mounted by vertical supports on the wall where there are frame members available to screw into.  But, now that I have the spoiler, I have to live with it and have it well sealed for probably as long as I own the trailer.  I posted fotos a long time ago.
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
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Our Pod 172
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Nov 2018 at 6:57am
I'll be living with it too I guess even though I'd really like it off of there because its going to interfere with my solar installation. 

Actually in thinking about it more, it would probably be easier to manage potential leaks if it was removed because then I could directly see and seal the penetrations themselves. To deal with the lights I could just get a DOT approved trailer id light bar from Amazon for 10-15$ and attach it to the back frame of the rear solar module. 

Does anyone know what adhesive/sealant FR uses to attach the spoiler and if there is a way to remove it cleanly from the fiberglass? Mine is a 2015. 
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6417 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Nov 2018 at 10:21am
Just use mineral spirits. They won't damage the fiberglass and will remove the Dicor sealant. You could finish with some denatured alcohol to make sure the surface is thoroughly clean.
StephenH
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