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Old 10-11-2011, 06:02 AM   #1
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Anyone know the rollover angles?

I am trying to pick a route across a meadow to a spot where we plan to be spending a lot of time with the 27 FB. The road across the meadows is pretty easy going, but there's a twist and turn at the end down to the spot we've picked.

At that turn I will be pulling the trailer down and across a slope.

I think I should be okay, but also would like to know what the rollover angle is for the trailers, if anyone knows that.

Or if anyone has any experience pulling these across the side of a hill?
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Old 10-11-2011, 10:26 AM   #2
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Who knows? I wouldn't take the word of anyone on the internet anyway. I would guess that the tires will slide first, but that's just a guess. Airstreams are wide and the center of gravity is low.

But ground clearance and turning clearance are usually the limiting factors when off road. With a long trailer, the approach, departure, and breakover angles are extremely limited. It's easy to do expensive damage.
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Old 10-11-2011, 12:59 PM   #3
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It Absolutely, Positively... Depends

...on a number of factors.
1. The more liquid in your holding tanks, the lower your center of gravity.
2. The more sewing machines and encyclopedia in your overhead bins, the higher your COG.

And so it goes.

Generally one would expect your tow vehicle to roll over before the Airstream if the Airstream holding tanks are full.
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Old 10-11-2011, 02:52 PM   #4
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I have zero experience with this type of situation, but IF it were me, I suppose I'd give passing thought to running a strap through the roof vent... out the door... hooked to a rope... tied to a heavy truck above your route on level ground. It could follow along, keeping the rope slack but being there "just in case".

Good luck - say, have someone shoot your whole stunt on video -- I'd love to watch! Plus if things go awry you can send it to AFV... maybe win enough cash to fix the trailer.
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Old 10-11-2011, 03:07 PM   #5
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Perhaps you should have La Gringa drive and you can hike off the high side of the AS to keep it on an even keel . . . just need to bring the trapeze from the Hobie with you :-) Yes I know its not very constructive but its a thought....
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Old 10-11-2011, 03:13 PM   #6
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I doubt that you will find an area in a meadow, especially one that has been cultivated, that would tip a trailer at slow. Speed is a considerable factor in highway rollovers and you will not encounter that factor towing across a field.

The Center of Gravity on your trailer is quite low and the width of track most likely greater that you TV. If you are comfortable driving that area the trailer should follow along.

Just do it on dry ground.
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Old 10-11-2011, 04:05 PM   #7
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They got an app for that! App Store - Clinometer - level and slope finder

The angles are probably way more than that of a Jeep:
40 degrees left/right, 60 degrees front/back, or so ....

Stick some fat tires on that bad boy and please post the video here first!
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Old 10-11-2011, 06:06 PM   #8
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cross slope travel

For what it is worth, I have observed a Terragator go sideways down a about a 12% grade. It was spring and moist and but there was vegetation, no one expected that to happen especially where it did. Fortunately no damage other than the driver needing to change some clothes.

Walk the route first, if you do pull, fill your water tank. It could help with the center of gravity. Have plenty of planks and wedges and piles....then have an adventure.....just stay on the high side.

For the record---cross slope travel on most grades is not a great idea. Most are highway grades are set at about 6%, with s few as high as 12 in some mountain areas or high grade areas.
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Old 10-11-2011, 08:05 PM   #9
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In keeping with my adage...if you have to say "I think I can make it".....you can't. This applies especially well to flying, but can be used for Airstreaming too.
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Old 10-12-2011, 04:36 AM   #10
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FULL WATER TANK. Not half full. Sal.
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Old 10-12-2011, 05:01 AM   #11
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What if you want to get it out of the meadow

I have a meadow and a hill. I was thinking of the same thing you were.
I decided that it would be better to build a small cabin. A cabin would be easier to insulate, heat, modify and so on. Trailers were meant to travel, and therefor less capable of keeping you comfortable in the winter.
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Old 10-12-2011, 06:12 AM   #12
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If it's your land I would hire someone with a bulldozer to cut a level road in the bad part of the meadow. Then you could pull in and out whenever you want, without any worry of wrecking your tow vehicle or Airstream.
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Old 10-12-2011, 01:27 PM   #13
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Maybe it's the rollover parking angles:

BartS and the Tin Pickle

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Old 10-02-2012, 10:16 PM   #14
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I'd be willing to bet that if your TV rollover angle is not exceeded then your AS won't roll. The AS has a lower critical angle than most TVs. Hence the reason they tow so well.
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Old 10-03-2012, 12:46 PM   #15
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After careful consideration, we've decided to rent a Bobcat or equivalent and make a short road through the worrisome part. I was out there this week with a pickaxe, and it looks to me like dirt I can work with. Long as I avoid these huge rock formations.
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Old 10-03-2012, 12:59 PM   #16
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I would be worried and exceedingly careful. Not just the angle to be considered. If the trailer or TV breaks traction and slides sideways it can result in a roll over at a lower than maximum angle when it catches. If the low side trailer wheels drop into a hole or soft spot it makes it worse. Not saying I would not do it, but those are considerations learned from a small amount of 4 wheel experience.
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Old 10-03-2012, 01:38 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gringo View Post
After careful consideration, we've decided to rent a Bobcat or equivalent and make a short road through the worrisome part. I was out there this week with a pickaxe, and it looks to me like dirt I can work with. Long as I avoid these huge rock formations.

Ummm, not sure but I think those huge rock formations are actually the Rocky Mountains. Yes, I know. helpful information always appreciated.

Hope you guys are enjoying your dry land vacation :-)

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Old 10-03-2012, 02:03 PM   #18
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We're calling it our "Tropical Vacation". After the 40 days on the catamaran, We just seriously needed a vacation from the tropics. But now we're seeing a forecast for Ft. Collins to get down to 27 deg. tonight, with a high on Saturday of only 37. Uh...we start getting cold around 70. It's been a great three weeks, but it's looking like Time to head back to de islands, mon.

I got a boat that needs work down there, anyhow.
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Old 10-03-2012, 03:51 PM   #19
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Hey Gringo, sounds like you got this sorted out already with the impromptu road building. But another reason to not push your luck is you could roll the tire off the bead, damaging tires and wheels in an impossible position to change them.
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