SOME FACTORS INFLUENCING THE STABILITY OF CAR/CARAVAN COMBINATIONS
In this study stability was predicted by means of a simple mathematical model of a car/caravan combination. These predictions were compared with the oscillatory stabilities of several combinations measured in track tests. This work justified the theoretical model, which was then used to determine the relative importance of the various dimensions, weights and tyre characteristics which could be varied. It was found that, to be more stable, a car/caravan combination should include a light caravan with low yaw inertia, adequate drawbar length, short hitch overhang, large car wheelbase, an optimum caravan centre of gravity, and adequate caravan tyre stiffness. A hitch damper was found to stabilise a combination approaching oscillatory instability.
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Supplemental Notes:
- Road Vehicle Handling, I Mech E Conference Publications 1983-5. Sponsored by Automobile Division of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers under partronage of Federation Internationale des Societies d'Ingenieurs des Techniques de l'Automobile (FISITA) held at the Motor Industry Research Association, Nuneaton, 24-26 May 1983.
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Corporate Authors:
Mechanical Engineering Publications Limited
P.O. Box 24, Northgate Avenue
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 6BW, England -
Authors:
- Bevan, B G
- Smith, N P
- ASHLEY, C
- Conference:
- Publication Date: 1983
Media Info
- Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: p. 221-228
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Automobiles; Center of gravity; Drawbars; Forecasting; Hitches; Jackknifing; Mathematical models; Motor vehicles; Oscillation; Size; Stability (Mechanics); Stiffness; Tires; Towing devices; Trailers; Wheel base; Yaw
- Old TRIS Terms: Drawbar length
- Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00387046
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report/Paper Numbers: C132/83, HS-036 358
- Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
- Created Date: Jul 30 1984 12:00AM