Inclinometer/clinometer thoughts?

[imhighlander]

Howdy, all. I hope this an acceptable forum for this query but if not, I trust a mod will move it to the appropriate venue.

On a few occasions I've wanted to have a clinometer in my cab just to give me an objective measurement of the tilt of the rig on the trail. Sometimes it's tough to know whether to pucker or not, and I've thought that an inclinometer/clinometer would be useful.

For those who have installed one, what has your experience been? There are used ones available on eBay and elsewhere, and there are some general purpose (e.g., Smittybuilt) options out there, too.

My objective is NOT to get something that will make my dashboard look cooler or more complex; I want a gauge that will accurately give me my tilt angle (and ideally, front/rear pitch) so I can better understand my rig's capabilities and more importantly, its limits.

Specific brands (with links, if possible) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Muddy Bean]

Howdy, all. I hope this an acceptable forum for this query but if not, I trust a mod will move it to the appropriate venue. On a few occasions I've wanted to have a clinometer in my cab just to give me an objective measurement of the tilt of the rig on the trail. Sometimes it's tough to know whether to pucker or not, and I've thought that an inclinometer/clinometer would be useful. For those who have installed one, what has your experience been? There are used ones available on eBay and elsewhere, and there are some general purpose (e.g., Smittybuilt) options out there, too. My objective is NOT to get something that will make my dashboard look cooler or more complex; I want a gauge that will accurately give me my tilt angle (and ideally, front/rear pitch) so I can better understand my rig's capabilities and more importantly, its limits. Specific brands (with links, if possible) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Matt

I've considered this too. If you can manage to find a level place to calibrate, the new iOS has a level/inclinometer built into the compass app but I have no idea as to the accuracy of it

 

[80t0ylc]

Have you tried a search? Advanced search with inclinometer as "keyword" for "search titles only" in "all open forums" reveals 126 threads already on this website alone. I think there's already a lot of info available if you want to look. IMO inclinometer/tiltmeter is mainly for looks and oohs & ahs. Too many variables in the real world make this instrument not work like we would want it to.

 

[fishEH]

I have two of these installed.
http://www.amazon.com/Sun-Company-2...&qid=1383250460&sr=8-1&keywords=inclineometer
One on my dash for left/right angle, the other on my passenger door for front/back incline. They're pretty small and stick on with double sided tape.
Of course I can almost NEVER remember to look at them when I'm perched precariously on an incline. LOL

 

[1911]

I have an stock inclinometer in one of my trucks. It's pretty useless - by the time you're puckered up, it's the last thing in the world I have time to look at. YMMV.

 

[alia176]

I have an stock inclinometer in one of my trucks. It's pretty useless - by the time you're puckered up, it's the last thing in the world I have time to look at. YMMV.

That's when my seven year old daughter pipes up from the back seat "Dad, it's ONLY 27°.....can you go further?"......

My tilt O meter is velcroed to the front dome/sunroof control panel.

 

[coupi]

Maybe something like this:

 

[Muddy Bean]

What's the max side angle these trucks can handle stock?

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD while navigating gnarly trail. Typos are inherent.

 

[Mark W]

What's the max side angle these trucks can handle stock?

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD while navigating gnarly trail. Typos are inherent.

Which "these trucks" are you referring to?

What sort of conditions?
Static or moving? Any forward or rearward tilt involved? Under power? Braking? How much of either? Empty? Loaded? How loaded? What tire? Tire pressure? 50 year old springs? Brand new springs?

There is no one answer that applies to all Land Cruisers all the time.



Mark...

 

[Fast Eddy]

My tilt O meter is velcroed to the front dome/sunroof control panel.

I always think about reproducing tilt-o-meters. Mine has a magnet stuck to the back so I can move it around.

 

[spotcruiser]

Having rolled my truck once, slowly, I can say that by the time you realize you've gone too far, it's too late. If you think you're getting close and have another person handy, have them hold onto a high corner.

 

[Muddy Bean]

Which "these trucks" are you referring to? What sort of conditions? Static or moving? Any forward or rearward tilt involved? Under power? Braking? How much of either? Empty? Loaded? How loaded? What tire? Tire pressure? 50 year old springs? Brand new springs? There is no one answer that applies to all Land Cruisers all the time. Mark...

Haha. I thought I was in the 100 series forum. Nevermind the question. I know there must be a ton of factors that play into it, I jus wondered how much static tilt would roll a 100 series over.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD while navigating gnarly trail. Typos are inherent.

 

[Mark W]

I've only rolled two rigs over the years. A '40 and a Pig. In neither case was there any time to even think about looking at any sort of meter or gauge much less that that information and do anything with it.

If I had that time, I would have used it to try and correct the situation, not looking to see what sort of numbers I achieved.


In the real world those sort of gimmicks are nice for making sure your motor home is level in the KOA "campsite" and pointless use of weight and space in a trail rig.

Mark...

 

[the gimpey one]

I've only rolled two rigs over the years. A '40 and a Pig. In neither case was there any time to even think about looking at any sort of meter or gauge much less that that information and do anything with it.

If I had that time, I would have used it to try and correct the situation, not looking to see what sort of numbers I achieved.

In the real world those sort of gimmicks are nice for making sure your motor home is level in the KOA "campsite" and pointless use of weight and space in a trail rig.

Mark...

But they look cool.

 

[sadam_husain]

Having rolled my truck once, slowly, I can say that by the time you realize you've gone too far, it's too late.

that there is the best gauge you can have, after you have tipped your truck over a few times and got familiar with the tipping point its becomes easier to judge it when your driving


another useful tool is to take the truck to where you think its getting a bit too uncomfortable and feels like tipping and get out and go take a look at the angle and you often find its nowhere near as close to tipping as you thought

 

[M32H32is]

IDK, watched a fellow mudder roll his and the incline didn't seem too bad. The loose surface also aided to the problem, I believe traction also plays a factor.