The USA consumer product safety commission banned the sale of new 3 wheel ATVs due to roll over injuries. They did not order a recall. The roll over point is when half the weight is over the line from one of the back wheels to the front wheel. In the case of a 4 wheel vehicle this point is extended away from the center of the vehicle and requires a greater angle away from horizontal to tip. Four wheels are intrinsically more stable. But the BUV, unlike the ATV, is not a toy and goes much slower (20 mph vs. 45 mph). It has a weightier rear section that anchors the vehicle. The position of the driver is such that jumping from the vehicle is easier, and more importantly any movement around the potential rollover axis is amplified by the distance between the drivers balance sense (inner ear) and this axis. The BUV was tested at a private off road test track. Various drivers took it through some obstacles including those which substantially evelated the one side of the vehicle. The intuitive sense of these drivers was that the vehicle is stable.
The positives of three wheels:
- The front end is less expensive to produce and maintain
- The vehicle, like a three legged stool, always has equalized ground to tire pressure. This allows great performance in rough terrain without the expense of 4 wheel drive and limited slip differentials
- For the above reasons the chassis does not twist when one of three wheels does not carry the same load. This allows greater loading in an equivalent chassis.
FAQS
Is the basic utility vehicle stable?
What does the vehicle cost?
The cost will vary depending on options. Currently the base cost is $4200 FOB Mid-Michigan.
There are numerous options please contact Sahel for details
AUTOMOTIVE
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Copyright © 2009 Sahel Automotive
Revised: February 28, 2009
BASIC UTILITY VEHICLES
