Breakover angle / clearance

[Dan Lee]

Hi guys,

Dumb question but I still lack knowledge and experience.

I understand the concept of approach / departure angles. I understand general ground clearance.

And I understand the concept of breakover angle / clearance. What I'm not understanding well is how to figure out if I'm going to have a problem at the top of a given ascent / descent. Will the bottom hit the edge or not?

Are there simple things to help figure out if a particular situation will be problematic or not? Situations where approach and departure are okay but the middle will be a problem.

 

[uzj100]

The middle is always the problem with 112 inch wheelbase. ;<)

Sliders are first mod or get ready for damage.

 

[TonyP]

A straight on breaking over, the LCA mounts will hit before anything else. If you plan on wheeling at all, get LCA skids.

Other than that, it's mostly just learning the vehicle as to what it can and can't drive over. There are a lot of variables, terrain plays a primary role.

In most situations, the first item to hit in a approach/departure/breakover situation will be the rear.

 

[Dan Lee]

Thanks guys.

So experience is the only real way to predict trouble or not; until then LCA skids and sliders for protection against mistakes.

 

[NLScooby]

Thanks guys.

So experience is the only real way to predict trouble or not; until then LCA skids and sliders for protection against mistakes.

As they say....you learn more from failure than from success.. Man, I've learned a lot!

 

[TonyP]

Pretty much. When you hear metal scraping just back up a foot or two and floor it.

 

[Atwalz]

Like @TonyP said floor it. or stack rocks.

 

[Dan Lee]

Got it -- put some air between the truck and the ever lovable ground.

BTW, dumb question but: this is assuming hard ground. If the edge is soft ground (ie - dirt / clay), even though the car touches ground, I can just drive through it, right? Or will that damage the truck as well?

 

[Dan Higgins]

You also want to remember where the “pumpkin” is. I came over from driving Land Rovers which have independent suspension so they don’t have the same setup in the rear axle. Gave me another 2” of clearance if I could take the obstacle right down the middle. Had to learn that I can’t do that with the LC. Also learning to put 1 or both sides “high” helps you clear rocks, etc. As the others have pointed out, a lot of this comes with experience. When you are learning it helps to get out and see how much clearance you have underneath.

Or you could take @TonyP and @Atwalz advice. But keep in mind that @Atwalz doesn’t mind dropping $9K on repairs.

 

[TonyP]

Yeah, we beat our 200s like a rented mule. Hasn't let us down yet though.

 

[Atwalz]

Yeah, we beat our 200s like a rented mule. Hasn't let us down yet though.

Except for mysterious gas leaks in Moab.

 

[krice118]

Bigger tires and a lift increase these angles

 

[Malleus]

Got it -- put some air between the truck and the ever lovable ground.

BTW, dumb question but: this is assuming hard ground. If the edge is soft ground (ie - dirt / clay), even though the car touches ground, I can just drive through it, right? Or will that damage the truck as well?

Depends on whether or not you have the optional undercarriage blade installed. If so, it'll plow