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Old 04-09-12 | 03:20 AM
  #551  
Can'tStop
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Wind Turbulence around Semi Trailers

Originally Posted by dayworks
I got an inquiry to build a custom trailer to haul a 9’ long surfing board. Fine and good until the person tells me they’re worried about turbulence from passing semis on the freeway affecting his ride – which it most certainly would. I didn’t have a good answer for him short of an obnoxious amount of ballast. Should I be so pessimistic? Thoughts?
I suspect that provided that the surfboard is mounted horizontally [flat], that sideways loading from the bow-wave and wake shouldn't be much of a problem. If the surfboard is mounted vertically [on its side edge] then I suspect that that sideways loading from the bow-wave and wake will most likely be a problem. Do you make trailers for business? Because it surely wouldn't be too hard to create a lash-up and do some experiments.

It would probably advisable to mount the surfboard no higher than immediately above the axles.

Alternatively, you could try getting Mythbusters to have a look at it? You'll need some friends to propagate an urban myth.

Last edited by Can'tStop; 04-09-12 at 03:23 AM. Reason: sentence ending 'immediately above the axles' added
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