I flipped my M416

[george_tlc]

Yeah, uneven terrain I can see being a big issue for a top heavy trailer, but I was more looking at the pictures of the OP - basically a reasonable looking dirt road with a few bumps/undulations. Something like that looks like an issue with an oversprung and/or underdamped vehicle/trailer that has no rebound control. i.e. I am thinking of two issues:

1) springs are so stiff that a large bump will cause the trailer to bounce up and potentially over, especially depending on what the ground contour is when it hits dirt again.

2) springs that are soft enough to flex and start oscillating and nothing to dampen that action.

Either could lead to flopping the trailer and can only get worse if top heavy. With a 4wd there's a lot of weight fairly low (chassis, drive train, fuel tank(s) etc). With a trailer most of the weight is much higher, so definitely a higher cog. Add in that in the vehicle you are immediately aware of it getting tippy/bouncy and will hopefully correct the issue immediately, while the trailer is something you only become aware of with the occasional look back in the rearview or when you notice you're dragging it sideways down the track...

Anyhow, just trying to get a feel for the inherent limitations of the suspension system of these generic trailers versus the more modern offroad trailers (and > $$) with independent suspension, shocks and airbags etc.

cheers,
george.

 

[prado t]

Man it looks like some of your stuff has boulder rash! Good job on the recovery!

 

[greentruck]

I can see modifying springs and/or shocks to improve suspension performance. Lots of investment possible there, but I'm not sure how much can be gained if staying with leaf springs versus something more sophisticated.

That said, I think the one factor that can limit the sort of upset here is tire pressure. Lowering it may not even be necessary with the tow vehicle (for instance, I rarely air down, except when absolutely necessary), but it can make a far greater difference in the handling of the trailer. The thing that caused this upset was likely tire rebound after hitting an obstacle. Limit rebound by lowering tire pressure and you're more likely to avoid this. It's also the only thing you can do if you suddenly find yourself in such a challenging off road situation, as modifying the suspension is usually not an option at that point in a trip

 

[Mark W]

Even simpler than that.

1. Accept that the trailer is gonna be top heavy when you load stuff on top of it and don't expect it to follow over everything that the Cruiser can handle.

2. Slow down and don't make the trailer dance down the trail.

No need for redesign. Just use common sense. If a trailer flops over once in a while in all the varied uses that they get put to by differing users... no need to jump to the conclusion that there are design flaws or shortcomings. Offroad trailers are gonna get laid over occasionally, especially when you load them tall and use them over rough terrain.

Load low and travel slow. And if a layover happens in spite of your efforts just figure out what you did wrong and correct for it.


Mark...

 

[ntsqd]

but, but, but...... technology can solve the problem.......



that would be sarcasm



I think that the stock 1/4t trailer springs can be improved upon, but no matter how far you go down that road the limits are pretty close so the diminishing returns point will be passed fairly early in the exercise.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Sorry that happen to you, but thanks for sharing do we can learn too! I'm building our expo trailer and I was going to leave off some side supports to save on time but after seeing your situation I'm going to go ahead and go with my original plan to add to the overall strength. Good lessons are almost always hard...

-Daniel

Sent from deep in the mountains of Honduras using only sticks and rocks.