How to flop and go...

[awp_cruiser]

This is borderline chat, but I'd like to keep it techincal.

After a roll what are things that have helped with the recovery and keeping the rig going?

What are some of the items on your rigs that make a rolled rig "self recoverable". I am not so worried about cosmetic issues as I am about protecting the vitals. And not so much in terms of, "Once, when I rolled sotries" either. What is some of the equipment used that makes a flop less tragic.

What is a good checklist of items to check before continuing on after recovery?

Radiator hoop and roll cage are obvious, as is a winch. What is some of the less obvious stuff that made a difference on how quickly or easily the rig was back on the move.

What about fuel and oil spillage? What are good methods of controlling fluids from leaking all over the place?

Unusual recovery points that ease putting it back on all four?

Thanks,

Andy

 

[Advent]

Judging by the Samurai I was in today that rolled...First order of business is to stop attempting the obstacle. My friend just kept going...and going...

The real breakage didn't happen until after he was already on his side. That's when just about everything broke.

 

[cody c]

never been in a roll over. if i was preparing for one, id probally want : points on rollcage to fasten cable to without sliding. good come-along or portable winch. pulleys, and depending on terrain, something to help tie off point for winch. ex: digging hole and using spare tire, or straps for large boulder or tree. or shovel type anchor. i suppose fire extinguisher, and maybe one of those knifes mounted to interior to help cut seat belt if they jammed and vehicle was on fire or something. i have heard of people bringing spill kits but i dont know where youd get one. sounds like you probally have more knowledge in this area than me just brainstorming a list.

 

[peesalot]

carry spare fluids in a sealed , strapped in container. Have batteries very well secured. A radiator hoop and engine bar to protect carb/fi and a co2 bottle or engine driven air source. Remeber , rolling can be barely damaging or it can be tragic so recovery differs depending on what happened but the above is a good base. I would also carry a Satellite phone and a great first aid kit. Sometimes the people need more attention than the rig.

 

[awp_cruiser]

Thanks for the posts so far.

The post over in outfitting about what should be always in a rig got me thinking about this.

Peesalot: People safety first. Always. A properly assembled and prepared vehicle is next.

You did make a good point for CO2. The engine doesn't have to be running to use it. This is why I vote electric over PTO as well.

Cody c:
Points on the cage to keep the cable from sliding is a good idea.

Advent:
Must have been a pretty set up Sammy if it could keep going when it was ON it's side.

Keep the brainstorming coming.

Andy

 

[wngrog]

I turn the tires away from the "down" side of the car, ram it in reverse and pop the clutch. I have about a 75% recovery rate so far on flops on the side.

That said, it sure tears the hell out of the side of the rig the 25% of the time it wont right itself

 

[cruiser88]

fuel injection would help alot

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Watched the guys and gals on extreme 4 by do a side flop with full hydro, turn the weel into the down side and power the rig back onto the wheels at a ORVP.

Super cool

I turn the tires away from the "down" side of the car, ram it in reverse and pop the clutch. I have about a 75% recovery rate so far on flops on the side.

That said, it sure tears the hell out of the side of the rig the 25% of the time it wont right itself

 

[CruisinGA]

Both times I've been on my side I've bee able to get the truck to run enough to back out of it. (Also been pointing uphill enough to have weight on one rear tire).

My stock F with an Aisin ran on this angle.

 

[cody c]

perhaps a disconnectable winch with long enough cable to position the winch on the frame or exo cage. most of the time you'll probally have some one else with a winch though. harder to do that with pto. i bet ya one of those exhaust jacks (inflatable bag) might help if you needed to lift from the body. it would be a lot easier on the body than a hi-lift.

 

[CruisinGA]

perhaps a disconnectable winch with long enough cable to position the winch on the frame or exo cage. most of the time you'll probally have some one else with a winch though. harder to do that with pto. i bet ya one of those exhaust jacks (inflatable bag) might help if you needed to lift from the body. it would be a lot easier on the body than a hi-lift.

Just carry a snatch block and route the cable through it to a point on the cage, etc.

 

[lowtideride]

Both times I've been on my side I've bee able to get the truck to run enough to back out of it. (Also been pointing uphill enough to have weight on one rear tire).

My stock F with an Aisin ran on this angle.

Upper 2...I was leaning the other way last year and took out my door and window ...was supper fun though...

 

[woody]

I've got lots of flop/roll experience....and have self-recovered many times.

I've only had one that wasn't expected, and that was a 1-3/4 roll into 36" of water...put the passenger side of the truck AND the passenger (future-x-wife) completely under water...she remained completely calm...popped her belt and began blowing bubbles with her eyes open to see if she was above or below me...I grabbed her and got her above water within seconds tho. Both of us were fine, but that was by far the scariest...particularly since it wasn't expected (and was the 2nd of the day too...) Having done many flops/rolls, knowing what to do with your extremeties is important....keep them ALL in the vehicle, best is often to either hang onto the steering wheel or just wrap your arms around the shoulder straps. (That said, I've yet to ever have more than a lap belt on for my 25+)

electric winch with a snatch block....piece of cake, done it many times....once upright, it's pretty easy to control the winch and drive the rig to get to someplace where you won't flop back over

vacuum line routing....VERY important. My PCV lines makes a full loop around the TBI before connecting, keeps the oil from pooling directly into the carb/TBI and having major starting/smoking issues. do NOT seal the motor tight tho...they do need to breathe, and the weakest seal point is the harmonic balancer....I've filled 2 blocks with water thru that seal when I had the top end buttoned up too airtight.

I've never had a liquid spill issue....my fuel vent routes so it won't spill over, and my tranny/t-case/diffs/engine are all routed with vent lines so oil will pool and remain in the line rather than spilling out.

Once upright, let the rig sit for a few minutes to allow the fluids to settle down some....in the water flop, I had to pull the spark plugs to clear water from 6 cylinders...once that was done, the rig did start, tho having wet sensors and having the TBI computer underwater didn't do it much good...lol Surprisingly tho, most of those haven't been changed or touched in the 3 years since...

When you do start the rig, tap the starter and shut the rig off immediately, like 1/4 engine turns.... Do this 5-6 times...this helps should you find a cylinder DID fill with fluid...tap, wait...tap, wait...."should" let any major fluid push past the rings or valves and not cause damage (it's always worked for me anyways)

I'm the type who checks the occupants and if they are ok, immediately begins barking orders to who's doing the recovery and such...ANY time wasted can mean additional vehicle damage or spill issues...I haven't had one yet that was over for more than a few minutes.

Until you have flopped, it's a scary thot...once you've done a few, it actually becomes no big deal...even that 1-3/4 roll was no big deal, largely cause I trust the cage and know that I'm mentally prepared for anything to occur.

 

[yotawheeler]

go diesel that way you dont have to worry about your engine crappen out on you when you flop, also maybe a rear winch? and iv seen a rear stinger as well...dunno how much help either of these would be in a roll over though...stinger might help i guess

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Was it not Mike (Spaceghost) who was having a oil pan designed to keep the engine from loosing oil to the suction somehow on steep climbs and possible side flops?

 

[woody]

really, dry sump would be the solution....but the rear sump in my SBC hasn't ever had a starvation issue on climbs, and once you get to the sidehills where it's starving, you need to start worrying as much about the auto tranny (and perhaps running an accumulator on there as well)

In comp mentality, I can see the dry sump and the accumulator being nice....for the 99.99% of us that just wheel hard, it's a bit overkill. When I flop, I'll try to save it...but am not afraid to shut 'er down if it doesn't kick over pretty quickly....and as Nolen commented, the body and mechanical damage occurred while on the side is pretty high, so you better be prepared to pay if something does go wrong...

as an added comment for things to consider, I run a kill switch...the red tether...the fuel pump and ignition are switched by it....pull the tether and it all kills. Those are the "common" item for race teams and safety, and easily identified should you end up unconscious following a hard landing.

 

[RVBtruck]

Having been around/in enough roll overs I can honestly say that woody's got her covered. Heck I posative he's got more under his belt that I do

Anyway The biggest thing you can do AFTER passengers are attended to is to right it. Saves alot time on the repair/recoop time.

As for the dry sump and hte accusump on the trans... Hell yeah it's the way to go but the cost is literaly 1500-2000 plus engine need sto be prepped for it. Right way to go if competeing or just nutts and like bein on ur hood

 

[Medusa]

When you do start the rig, tap the starter and shut the rig off immediately, like 1/4 engine turns.... Do this 5-6 times

Most folks don't take the time, but the absolutely safest way to prevent hydrolock is to pull the spark plugs on the bank that was down and crank the engine to expell any oil. Over the years I have been wheeling, I have see two engines ruined by hydrolock after a simple flop. Gunmetalcruz hydrolocked his engine on a gentle flop on Hwy 20 at the Hammers last week. He got off the starter pretty quickly, but was still concerned that he did some damage.

 

[peesalot]

that was a good mill too. Maybe his accumulator puked too much earl in there.

 

[DHONDAGOD]

Gunmetalcruz hydrolocked his engine on a gentle flop on Hwy 20 at the Hammers last week.

The words "Gunnmetalcruz" and "Gentle flop" simply DONT belong in the same sentance Jack....



Chris