Tasks

This page lists tasks to be done, with the most urgent tasks near the top of the list.

Wheels: Are we going to use conventional car wheels, as on the prototype car, or try to find something narrower for the front? The registration requirements are that we use compliant wheels and tyres with appropriate load and speed ratings.

Front suspension: The prototype Trev did not have enough travel in the front suspension, and bottomed out on bumps. Team Trev has designed and built new suspension that uses components from a Can Am Sypder, with shortened wishbones. Details will be put on the suspension page shortly. The turning circle of 11 m is constrained by the rims and the wishbones; a tighter turning circle would be better.

Tub design: Once we know how much space is required for the new front suspension, we can set the width of the tub chassis at the front. The current version of Trev has the battery tray that is narrower than the original tub and slung below the original tub. It would be better to have the battery tray better integrated into the tub structure. The original tub floor has triangular box sections along the top edges of the floor to provide stiffness. These would be better if they were not triangular (bolting to the triangular sections was never easy), and with the battery below the cabin floor the side rails could be below the floor instead of above it.

Tub materials: The original car used aluminium honeycomb for the tub structure. Polypropylene honeycomb is an attractive alternative. It is slightly heavier, and does not fold as accurately, but it is about one tenth the cost, and can be heated and formed into complex curves. It may even be suitable for moulding to the outer shape of the car, doing away with the need for body panels that are separate to the tub structure.