weight of a wheeler

[swynx]

Alright so I've always liked small trucks because of there "lightness" and I hear about how diesels suck in the mud and snow because they just sink. And I've never wheeled a full size.

I also know that lockers, tires, tire size, wheel base, suspension flex, engine power, and gearing all play an important role. Thus tthe reason no 2 trucks are identical on any obstacle.

But when does this so called weight go out the window? Almost everyone ditches there stock crap and goes with bigger axles (that weight more) usually to reliably run bigger tires (that weight more). Plus some go with a v8 (that weighs more) in the end your little truck weighs nearly as much or possibly more than that full size ford.

Those of you that have upgraded and kept the same size tire how much did it affect your rig?

Or how much more capable did the tires and extra weight make your rig?

Tires are the main thing that make your rig more capable asside from lockers. Driver skill is a different story.

 

[Road Angels]

weight

Think of it this way most weight added is down low, wheels and diffs, also its unsprung weight, on a light truck this is to your advantage less top heavy less chance of a roll over, because the weight is down low , now where talkin off road here, suspension with in reason and no body lift, now if you look at monster trucks they can go over most any thing but are prone to roll overs due to excessive body height, these are 15,000lbs and over, now if you take a look at the new monster trucks on tracks they weight the most but the center of gravity is the lowest, but will go over any thing and never roll over, so its more a weight verses center of gravity and weight distribution and location that makes the real difference, the larger tires are a must because they increase the ground cleance for the axles when off roading, there are hundreds of combination all suited for a different type of off roading, from crawl to just trails,

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I don't think a lot of people who build wheelers really worry about weight other than how high the center of gravity is. They're more worried about ground clearance, break over angle, departure angle, body width, etc.

Yes, I have seen RBVs that weigh as much as a full size truck complete with a V-8 engine. The reason they didn't go full size all the way (which would have been a simpler build for sure), is the size of the body. Lets face it, a BII, Explorer or a Ranger has a significantly smaller body size than a full size rig, thus it can go where a full size will not fit. I've been on some tight trails and I've watch full size rigs try to make a turn and have to make like a 30 point turn out of it where a BII will wheel right around there - full width axles and V-8 to boot.

 

[straycat]

I don't think anybody really cares about weight when we modify a ride. With good gearing and a good strong motor and the right tire size you don't need to worry about it. As long as it is done safely and it runs super great, just go out and have a good time.