How easily does a Patrol float?

[Cuppa]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-18/research-shows-cars-deadly-in-floodwaters/7522798

Perhas one circumstance where the extra weight of my car is a benefit! LOL.

[jack]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-18/research-shows-cars-deadly-in-floodwaters/7522798

Perhas one circumstance where the extra weight of my car is a benefit! LOL.

Also the fact yours is a ute would also make a lot of difference I think.

[billyj]

gq's dont float, too many leaks

[Bigcol]

I wonder if they also did that test with people in it......................

an empty car will float away at 95cm, but what about one that has a driver and a passenger..........?? another 200Kgs+

also, why was the back window smashed........ curious thats all.......

[Hodge]

I wonder if they also did that test with people in it......................

an empty car will float away at 95cm, but what about one that has a driver and a passenger..........?? another 200Kgs+

also, why was the back window smashed........ curious thats all.......

I doubt it would make much difference cole. If a 2.5t car is floating, extra 200kg would be bugger all. It's to do with buoyancy. Think of a tinny.
As for smashed window. I believe that car was a write off or damaged and they just used that to dunk it, instead of using somebody's everyday vehicle. lol


It's scary seeing fully loaded patrols floating. Always reminds me of this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNc6Ijeflo0

[04OFF]

Id love to know how much fuel was in both tanks, im suspecting both fuel tanks would be dead empty to avoid any possible fuel contamination to the water, a 95L fuel tank filled with air, right at the back of the car (+ 35L reserve in the middle) would add a great deal of buoyancy.

Regardless, i guess the test is still valid as would test worst case scenario as we don't always have full tanks of fuel.





The main reason i bring it up, is that Ive driven many water crossing in my 4.5 L Patrol , right from almost zero mods, up to its current stage, to be honest, ive never experienced that sort of flotation, and never had water inside the car so it should have more buoyancy, im sure many of you have done deeper crossings, and actually ,just like myself ,enjoy doing water crossings.


My basic rule of thumb i follow is, don't drive through anything you can't walk through, many people are stupid and have no experience and just charge on in, fwdriving, can "all" be dangerous especially if you don't have a clue (even without any water to cross).




Unfortunately with all these people that take stupid chances, and with the history of law makers "knee jerk" reactions of past, ultimately laws will be passed preventing anyone crossing any flood water no mater what your skills/vehicle or situation :(

[the evil twin]

Bouyancy is related to displacement and while vehicles don't look much like boats in general the shape presented to water by the Cabin isn't all that unlike a Punt.
Punts are very efficient hulls IE draw minimum draught IE float in least depth or carry the most load and plane with the least energy.
That means that amounts of additional weight have the smallest effect IE a 95 litre fuel tank in a 2.5 ton vehicle displaces maybe 120 Kg of water after density and expansion space so less than 5% so if the Vehicle Mass.

Related but slightly off the main gist of the topic is this...
Many modern vehicles have electrical systems that will contribute to getting trapped in a partially submerged car.
Can't open door due to water pressure, electrical failure, child proof lock selected.
Can't open window due to water pressure, electrical failure.

Another issue is when partially bouyant the vehicle is much more susceptible to getting pushed off line if it hits what would normally be a minor obstruction like a Wombat Hole or a Rock, or if the water is flowing an object in the flow like a tree stump or debris hits the side of the vehicle.
So it is very easy to go from Cruisy to Oh Shit

[04OFF]

Thanks ET, i was not actually thinking about the added weight of the fuel keeping the car down, but more the fact that being void of fuel, it was a big flotation tank full of "air".

Considering the inside of the car is full of water, and imagine the fuel tanks were removed completely, how else would the back of a patrol float like that in still water, apart from the diff housing and tyres, i cant think of any part in the rear of the car that would not fill with water and do Titanic impressions :smile:

[threedogs]

Ive had the water halfway up the windscreen a few times,
luckily I never "floated" on any , Jardine included. lol


I saw that test but thought it didnt translate to a real time scenario.
It was set to show a 4x4 could float and it did, imho lol

[GeeYou8]

A workmate floated the back end of his GU7 in still water and drove it out on the front wheels, his mates Prado self ballasted by filling with water.
My brother in law told me he once floated a Greyhound coach on a river crossing.
Graham