Have you rolled it in the sand and still driven home?

[GQsweep]

The discussion about the rollover below and a recent trip to Stockton Beach, had me thinking.

When you see what some guys get up to when playing in the sand pit, I'd imagine that a roll-over would be fairly easy to do.

In sand, maybe the damage wouldn't be too catastrophic and it could be likely that with a few mates it could be righted and perhaps drivable. Not that I'd know this.

Has anyone done it and are prepared to admit to it or seen it done and want to replay the story?

Chris

[YNOT]

It depends on the speed of the roll over.
I've seen several cars roll while doing difficult 4WDing but they were at low speed and the car just fell on it's side. These cars were righted, oil cleared from the cylinders and then driven home.
Rollovers on sand can sometimes be at high speed which can result in the car flipping several times cause extensive damage and personal injury.
I have not rolled any of my cars..............yet, but I have stood one near vertical on the front wheels.

Tony

[Dirty Driver]

It depends on the speed of the roll over.
I've seen several cars roll while doing difficult 4WDing but they were at low speed and the car just fell on it's side. These cars were righted, oil cleared from the cylinders and then driven home.
Rollovers on sand can sometimes be at high speed which can result in the car flipping several times cause extensive damage and personal injury.
I have not rolled any of my cars..............yet, but I have stood one near vertical on the front wheels.

Tony

Tony is quite correct.

Having been a passenger in a competition car (full roll cage and helmets) that has rolled three times at speed through a soft farmer's paddock (and yes the cows weren't the only one to get a scare from the incident), ending up back on its wheels with nothing more than a damaged door and bent lower control arm (which failed later on) we were able to get back onto the road and continue with our journey for the rest of the night. Incidentally the control arm was fixed on the side of the road with fencing wire, a ratchet strap and cable ties. Bush repairs at there best...

Further to this I've seen several cars go over at various speeds and on various axes. It all depends how they land, Upside down or not, the speed at which the roll happened and if any vital components were damaged in the event.

Obviously ensuring the engine is operational after a roll is one thing, but I've seen a car end up on it's lid for only 15 - 20 seconds before being righted. Car started with only a small puff of white smoke which cleared quickly. Driver selected first gear and drove off down the road only to end up in the ditch at the next corner because he had no brakes as all the fluid had drain out of the master cylinder reservoir during the rollover!

On the other hand I've seen cars roll off the road at very high speed, strain themselves through a clump of trees, ending up on their wheels with the engine still revving it's head off. A few seconds later this car returned to the road looking like a golf ball (round with dents all over) and continue on its merry way.

This is the sport of rallying and these vehicles are somewhat prepared for such excursions and occasions.

If in the event of a rollover in a road vehicle I can only suggest that all of the vital organs need to be checked including brakes, suspension, steering etc before even putting that key back in the ignition. If there is any doubt on a component then don't risk it! Having had to limp two 4WDs home in the last three weeks because of altercations with wildlife and/ or the scenery I can realise that these decisions are not always easy to make, especially when in a remote location with little or no assistance readily available.

I suppose what I'm trying to say here be satisfied in your own mind that your vehicle is in safe enough condition to get it to a place where either assistance can sought or effective repairs made. Be safe!

DD