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Old 06-05-2015, 11:23 AM   #1
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Maximum allowable lean angle prior to rolling over

Has anyone ever figured out how far off camber one can get prior to rolling over? No doubt it will depend a lot on the particular van, 2wd, 4wd, lift height, gas, diesel etc. I once had two wheels in a ditch with one wheel off the ground and the van at a crazy angle, but with the rear diff bottomed out it stayed upright. It would be nice to have some idea where the tipping point begins, say in degrees on an inclinometer, (since I have a precision one from a ship). I'm thinking of jacking mine up with a floor jack till it gets light, but that seems a bit risky unless I can rig a limiter strap somehow. Even then, real world limits, driving on a steep trail will probably be far less. I really got to wondering about this in Death Valley where we were on several trails that had no room for error, with a mistake resulting in a trip off a cliff. What are your limits? (mine might just be the wife)

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Old 06-05-2015, 11:25 AM   #2
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Re: Maximum allowable lean angle prior to rolling over

I prefer never to be in a situation where I would need to ask that question.
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Old 06-05-2015, 11:31 AM   #3
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Re: Maximum allowable lean angle prior to rolling over

Call me a chicken, but I agree with E350. If I get even close to the tipping point I have leaned too far. I am not one of those rock crawling adventurers who don't mind dinging up their vehicle. Whatever is at the end of the trail would really have to be worth it for me to try a road where I might tip over.
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Old 06-05-2015, 11:39 AM   #4
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Re: Maximum allowable lean angle prior to rolling over

You'll know it when you find it.
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Old 06-05-2015, 12:04 PM   #5
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Re: Maximum allowable lean angle prior to rolling over

I was told about 34* on a standard 2006 SMB 4X4 conversion but it also depends distribution of the top load, lower load and weight of the interior conversion. I have an audible inclinometer set to 28* and its sounded a couple times. That said I didn't like that angle at all and quickly moved to get out of that situation. If you were to snap a spring or blow a tire things could go bad quickly. Even 20 degrees feels kinda weird.
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Old 06-05-2015, 12:21 PM   #6
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Re: Maximum allowable lean angle prior to rolling over

Quote:
Originally Posted by daveb
I was told about 34* on a standard 2006 SMB 4X4 conversion but it also depends distribution of the top load, lower load and weight of the interior conversion. I have an audible inclinometer set to 28* and its sounded a couple times. That said I didn't like that angle at all and quickly moved to get out of that situation. If you were to snap a spring or blow a tire things could go bad quickly. Even 20 degrees feels kinda weird.
Hey Dave, howbout a pic of your inclinometer. It's a great idea but it looks like they are either junk or $1000. I wonder if I could just lay my phone flat on the console with the bubble level enabled when I'm on a steep incline. Hmmm. I like the alarm idea though.

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Old 06-05-2015, 01:44 PM   #7
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Re: Maximum allowable lean angle prior to rolling over

They custom adjust at the factory to your specs:



I put a switch on mine so I can turn it off... once it goes off I'm in a situation and don't need a damn alarm making it more stressful. Mine is tucked up in the headliner area on velcro and is fairly level to the vans stance via a separate Rieker bubble gauge. Rieker also makes those custom too. My bubble gauge red zone is 20-25* and I really pay attention after it pegs out.

http://www.riekerinc.com/Mechanical-Inclinometers.htm
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Old 06-05-2015, 02:40 PM   #8
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Re: Maximum allowable lean angle prior to rolling over

A stock 2WD wagon will do over 1:1

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Old 06-05-2015, 03:45 PM   #9
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Re: Maximum allowable lean angle prior to rolling over

carringb: But are the wheels prevented from sliding in those photos? Having rolled a VW Bug three times I can testify that a even an upright vehicle will tip if the outward sliding wheel abruptly achieves traction.

So in my nightmares (and your photos will no doubt cause me and anybody with a fiberglass roof nightmares) all it would take would be a little four foot sideways slide with the low side tire abruptly hitting a rock and stopping to add the additional "incline" necessary to tip/flip and then that's how you get to roll it three times quickly in succession...
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Old 06-05-2015, 05:40 PM   #10
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Re: Maximum allowable lean angle prior to rolling over

Warning, not SMB content!

GoWesty had a video of them doing a tilt test on a Syncro on their site. Might still be there and worth a look. They used a forklift and a limiting strap if I remember correctly. Surprising how far vans can tilt though. If you want to see more fun, look up the tilt testing/roll testing of the London double-decker busses.
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