SUV Safety and Rollovers

[JohnBM01]

You know, I would be surprised if I don't get ONE RESPONSE from the tried and true truck fan "BlazinXtreme." Anyhow, this topic is about SUV Rollover safety and such.

One of the most recent websites launched was { http://www.esuvee.com }. If you live in America or maybe Canada, you may have seen commercials with the "Esuvee Championships," as these beasts resembled SUVs, and the course was set up more like a Rodeo event. For what I know, any sort of car can roll over, but SUVs are the most prone. I can't help that a lot of people like SUVs. You have machines such as the Chevy Equinox, Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Toyota Sequia, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder Armada, Land Rovers, and not to mention the American-made, baddest SUV on the planet- Hummers. But as the Esuvee.com deal states that (not exact quote) "anyone can ride an SUV...not many can ride it right." I never really considered myself an SUV guy, so I'm not too concerned with them. I'll admit that if I bought my own machine, that's something I'd fear with an SUV- the fear of rolling over. These machines are pretty top-heavy, so it isn't as easy as riding around in (sorry to disgrace truck fans with economy cars, but) a Honda Accord, a Ford Focus hatchback, or even a Ford Taurus. Especially if you're trying to avoid accidents or something.

GTPlanet, SUV rollovers and such are the topic here. How do auto makers improve SUV safety? What role does the driver play? GTPlanet, you all know how to go at it on topics like this, so the floor is yours.

 

[Joey D]

The BX in the house!

That esuvee thing has some good points, but not all SUV's are big, bulky, and hard to drive. Mines little and nimble and low to the ground (my doings). Mines pretty safe to, after being in a pretty serious accident I was able to walk away pretty much fine and the truck didn't suffer to badly.

Also mine isn't hard to see around or overly large for the road. I do agree there are some that are on the big side but some people like that. Driving an SUV doesn't take any more amount of skill then driving a Civic. It's not the car, it's the people behind the wheel.

But how do you make SUV's safer, stability control and more supportive supports, this would protect people more. But other then that, it's the driver not the SUV.

 

[neanderthal]

dumb drivers are the reason why SUVs are dangerous.


i dont drive a 5000lb top heavy behemoth the same way i drive my 2200lb bmw 2002. or my 3300lb 300E. or my 2900lb saab. heck i dont drive my saab like my 02 or benx, my 02 like my saab or benz, or my benz like saab or 02. each one has a different character; the 02 has feeble brakes, and benz is sturdy and strong, the saab is FWD.

but then again, i dont consider myslef a dumb driver.

 

[Emohawk]

More then 75% of all drivers consider themselves better then average.

 

[ND4SPD]

Hmm, giant training wheels on SUV's....That'll rock! Show your manliness with your new giant SUV complete with training wheels so you don't rolll over!

 

[JohnBM01]

Give an SUV training wheels? Oh, man... you're killing me here!

Many people want SUVs here in America. Even my mom liked the Lincoln Navigator. When we at the 2005 Houston Auto Show, she really liked the latest Infiniti offering, the BIG QX56. Speaking of the Houston Auto Show, I still got a lot of the booklets I normally pick up when I try to be there each year. I try to collect everything, even if I don't need it. Anyhow, let me try to read up on some SUVs designed with certain special features in mind.

Me personally, I've never been an SUV guy. Never really had a taste or a want for any. Whether the SUV in question is the latest Dodge Durango or a Porsche Cayenne, you still have to learn the limits of an SUV. If you want to talk racing, look no further than the Paris-Dakar Rally. The Car class features what we'd consider SUVs. The Trucks class is more like these big garbage truck-like, transporter-like race machines. But when it comes to SUVs racing Paris-Dakar, control and endurance are important to win or finish. But in something like when the machines go from Paris, France down through the arid and vast Sahara Desert, you have to imagine that you have to control it right, even in racing conditions. There are even some off-road racing series here in America that uses SUVs, even though all I know about American off-road racing is CORR and maybe the Baja 1000. But, I think if you're going to get an SUV, you'll have to learn the limits of it. I'm sure you wouldn't ride an SUV like at an Autocross or an F1 track. In fact, didn't someone talk about an SUV running an Autocross race?

SUV Safety is imperative. I guess some people probably think that SUVs are more like big sports cars rather than big trucks. I even call SUVs trucks because they are nothing like cars. Since there's a big center of gravity with SUVs, it can be real easy to turn it over. Just like the esuvee.com commercials, do you think that working with SUVs is like riding a bull or a bronco at a rodeo?

 

[Joey D]

I've autocrossed the Blazer, not SCCA mind you but I have done it and it was surprisingly good around the cones. But then again my truck is lower them most cars.

 

[xcsti]

I've autocrossed the Blazer, not SCCA mind you but I have done it and it was surprisingly good around the cones. But then again my truck is lower them most cars.

Didn't you at one point say that the two door twowheel drive blazer was one of the unsafest cars on the market? I dunno I just remember you saying something on that line.

I'm not a big fan of suvs but only because it is really difficult to see around or over them in my tiny little saturn. It doesn't matter what car it is, an idiot driver will make a mess no matter what.

Personally I'd never buy an suv becaus a)I don't have any practicle use for it or ever forsee having it (maybe if I bought a boat or something) b) the reasons that families buy them instead of vans (tougher image, better presence on the road, don't wanna look like a soccer mom) don't apply to me as I would get a wagon for people moving. That way I can always get something sporty and powerful that still fullfills it's function. c)Pretty bad gas mileage on most suvs. Some smaller ones, and the ones based on universal car platforms do ok.

 

[retsmah]

Vehicles designed for off roading are always going to need to be up off the ground quite a bit, and that's going to make it easier to roll them.

I really don't think it should be that big of a deal, if you are going to buy an offroad vehicle don't be driving it as though it were a car. The only reason this has become a talked about issue in recent years is because of all the average people who are buying SUVs even though they use their vehicles exclusivley on road.

 

[Joey D]

Yes I was the one who pointed out the fact the two door Blazers were the most unsafe automobiles on the road.

 

[xcsti]

I've read that alot of the roll overs are on cars wearing aftermarket rubber. SUVs are equipted from the factory with treads that will lose grip well before generating the lateral grip necessary to flip the car. The stickier tires keep on holding the road even as the weight continues to travel to the side.

In terms of large suvs being more prone to roll over, does anyone remeber the first year jeep liberty? I remember seeing a skidpad test of it in a magazine where they flipped it.

 

[VIPFREAK]

Those commercials are creepy or something. Makes me go "WTF"?!? everytime.

 

[1X83Z]

I love the esuvee commercials.

SUVs aren't the problem, the problem is people who don't think 362 horsepower is enough. God I hate those people. They're menaces.

 

[Gil]

I have a lowered truck, a mini-van and a giant honkin' SUV.
I bought a "big honkin' SUV", because no car company makes a mini-van that meets my needs. And I have no love for "full-size" vans as they are more prone to wind buffeting and rollover than a lot of SUV's.
Each require different techniques when driving.
The Ranger is low, with 60-series tires, and a "sport" suspension.
It handles like a fairly nimble car. It could use another 50-75 HP before I considered it a strong roll-over risk.

The Excursion is nearly 7 feet tall, and more than 6 feet wide.
If you are one of those drivers that make "directional decisions" at the absolute last second, then an SUV probably isn't the best choice for you.
If you watch the road many hundreds of yards ahead of you (at least 1/2 mile) and give yourself plenty of time to react to stuff happening up ahead then an SUV is a lot like driving a Crown Vic, only way more intimidating to a lot of the jerks that complain about SUV's because they aren't watching the road many hundreds of yards ahead.

 

[///M-Spec]

The esuvee people have the right idea.

Safety is the responsibility of the driver. Period. Educating people is the first and most important step in reducing accidents of any kind.

Speaking of SUVs.. I have just gone over the Dark Side. Last week, my wife and I bought a 2005 Nissan Murano SL Touring. It will be her car. I've railed against SUVs for a long time and now I finally have one of these accursed conveyances.

Sad part is I love the stupid thing. Big, comfy, good looking, packed with goodies and it wouldn't get crushed like a grape by the Expedition in the next lane. I put my kid and pregnant wife in it and I worry quite a bit less. (I still worry, because having a large vehicle still doesn't eliminate risks)


M

 

[1X83Z]

Having a Nissan eliminates risks!

For instance, the risk that you will spend $40,000 and not get a leather, a CD changer, and a sunroof.

*Cough* BMW *cough*

 

[///M-Spec]

Kiss my grits
Alcantara > Leather.
Changers are vastly over-rated. One in the dash is good enough for me. If I were cooler, I'd have one of those stupid iPods. But I'm definately not cool.
Mine does have a hole in roof.


Oh, and kiss my grits.


M

 

[1X83Z]

Oh, and kiss my grits.

M

The only question I have is why the hell does my quote have a broken image in it when I posted no image, let alone a broken one?

This is one for the ages - I'm over here laughing myself silly over this.

 

[///M-Spec]

The only question I have is why the hell does my quote have a broken image in it when I posted no image, let alone a broken one?

This is one for the ages - I'm over here laughing myself silly over this.

It means your browser/ISP reeks.


M

 

[1X83Z]

It means your browser/ISP reeks.

Did you just edit my post?! Abuse of moderator privileges! I'm reporting you to yourself. Please warn yourself.

By the way, are you saying AOL reeks?

 

[Sage]

Last week, my wife and I bought a 2005 Nissan Murano SL Touring. […] good looking, […]

Uh-oh, watch out for Duke now! I think he's compared that thing to an unfinished shoe.

SUVs aren't the problem, the problem is people who don't think 362 horsepower is enough. God I hate those people. They're menaces.

Yeah, damn you!