HANDLING TEST PROCEDURES FOR LIGHT TRUCKS, VANS, AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

The report contains the results of a multidisciplined investigation of the safety-related handling behavior of recreational vehicles. This study satisfied the program's primary objective of developing, validating, and documenting a set of dynamic performance test procedures that are suitable for making first order appraisals and evaluations of the handling performance of light trucks, vans, and truck chassis-based recreational vehicles under realistic highway driving maneuvers. Specific vehicles considered included a Class A motor home, Class C motor home, VW Van, Pickup and Camper, and a four-wheel drive Jeep Wagoneer. Each vehicle was simulated on an updated hybrid computer to aid in development of test procedures. Vehicle physical properties were measured. A set of six procedures was developed. The procedures are braking-in-a-turn, sinusoidal steer, trapezoidal steer, trapezoidal steer while braking, road roughness in a turn, and crosswind sensitivity.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • See also PB-249 864.
• Corporate Authors:

  Ultrasystems, Incorporated

  Dynamic Science Division, 1850 West Pinnacle Peak Road
  Phoenix, AZ  United States  85027

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Anderson, R L
  • Wesson, L E
  • Starr, D S
  • Jindra, F
• Publication Date: 1976-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 308 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Braking; Delivery vehicles; Dwellings; Dynamic tests; Light trucks; Maneuverability; Motor vehicles; Performance tests; Physical properties; Pickup trucks; Recreation; Roughness; Safety; Simulation; Steering; Trailers; Trucks; Vehicles
• Old TRIS Terms: Pickups
• Subject Areas: Highways; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00094610
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: 8256-75-168 Final Rpt., DOT-HS-801-824
• Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-4-00853
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: May 14 1976 12:00AM