Battery Trailer, Rear Wheel Drive, eWheel, and PHEV Thoughts
Swivel wheel trailers that are close coupled to the towing vehicle have been around for many decades and are still available from several manufacturers as well as DIY kits for those who want to make their own at very reasonable cost. The two wheel models have the advantage of being mostly self supporting (with drop down supports) when disconnected from the vehicle. Single wheel units may require some additional drop down supports. Single wheel units probably have a greater influence on pulling vehicle handling especially with tire blow-out or puncture. Backing up with the swivel wheel trailer in either case is not a problem and jack-knifing is eliminated.
A load of batteries of any chemistry, including cheap lead acid cells could be carried safely with the hazards of fumes and spillage way out back. Yves Morrissette http://yves.fungiart.com has shown us how to install a trailer hitch on an Insight with little fuss or modification. When not needed, the trailer is easily disconnected and the Insight is quickly relieved of the burden.
It should be possible to motorize the swiveling wheels as Mike Dabrowski has done with his e-Wheel concept, however, it will be necessary to lessen the stock swivel wheel caster angle and control the swiveling with a steering linkage similar to that which is used on some ready-mix concrete truck outriggers. Batteries and twin e-Wheel drives in one quick disconnect package has a lot of appeal.
Another possibility is to drive belt-sprocketed-rear-wheels of the Insight from motors and batteries mounted on the swivel wheel trailer. The hitch would have to be modified to a three point arrangement similar to the popular three point hitch used on farm tractors. The Insight three points would be the two ends of the rear axle beam trailing arms and the trailer hitch ball. This hook-up would maintain near constant distance between the car axle centerline and the trailer mounted drive centerline (if properly situated) and would maintain near constant jerk free drive belt length/tension. This method has the advantage of employing the vehicle weight and rigidity of the rear wheel suspension for a more simple and more stable drive system than the e-Wheel setup suggested above.
With this type of trailer arrangement, it is possible to have a PHEV Insight with very little modification of the Insight other than installation of the hitch(es) and controls. There is complete flexibility (within reason) of battery type and desired range. There is the additional advantage of being able to construct and refine the PHEV unit separate from the Insight so that your transportation is not tied up or rendered undriveable in any way during construction and afterwards. This type of unit could be fitted to just about any kind of vehicle by scaling up or down and/or sideways.
Last edited by Hugh-Falls; 12-23-2010 at 12:29 AM.
The swivel wheel PHEV trailer would mount close coupled right up against the rear bumper and its appearance from the side could be similar to the tail some tuners/stylists have added to the Insight: See the tails added by tuners/stylists BotSapper and 3Wheeler. It does not wag side to side as does a conventional trailer. Check it out at Double Hitch Company and cruiserlift.com and others.
Botsapper's is a render based on some work I did in CAD. 3-Wheeler's is the real deal, and it's the only real-world instance of an Insight boat tail that I know of.
Botsapper's is a render based on some work I did in CAD. 3-Wheeler's is the real deal, and it's the only real-world instance of an Insight boat tail that I know of.
After a search of the EM forum I was able to find the extensive work done by you, 3-Wheeler, and others. Very impressive. The envelope you descibe fits in very well with what I have in mind for the close-coupled PHEV trailer. I really had not considered the air flow patterns, only the compactness and to a lesser extent the aesthetics but you have shown that improving the Cd is also possible if done properly.
The primary requirement of being be able to disconnect the trailer easily and leave the Insight intact, however, may limit the extent to which the Cd lowering objectives can be achieved.
"wheels as Ray Dabrowski has done with his e-Wheel concept,"
A powered "pusher" two wheeled battery trailer with auto back up steering system and integrated solar charger, was where I was thinking of going, but it would be dangerous in slippery weather, and still present issues with parking.
"wheels as Ray Dabrowski has done with his e-Wheel concept,"
A powered "pusher" two wheeled battery trailer with auto back up steering system and integrated solar charger, was where I was thinking of going, but it would be dangerous in slippery weather, and still present issues with parking.
Sorry about that, Mike. The correction has been made.
The trailer I had in mind would be the close coupled swivel wheel type, preferably a single swivel with dual tires (would look like the front caster on some strollers). Trailer would carry drive motor system(s) and batteries and belt drive the rear wheel sprockets on the Insight with appropriate linkage to maintain constant belt tension. Your idea of battery charging solar panels with or without a tracking system is a good one. Neither backing nor jack-knifing is a problem with a swivel wheel trailer.
Jim, thanks for the list of links. You do need to make a mold at least of the exterior of your tail extension as has been suggested by others. Surely there are other Insight owners who would be interested in a shell (maybe an upper and lower split) if it became available. I know I will need an enclosure for the PHEV trailer and where would I find a better shape?
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Battery Trailer, Rear Wheel Drive, eWheel, and PHEV Thoughts
