Van anti-roll over optimization and prevention?

[VenFan]

Seen plenty of YouTube videos about standard height 15 passenger van's roll over kinda lot when fully loaded with people wanted to make this thread to understand why this happens and how to avoid it.

If i am wrong please correct.

AFAIK this happens because when you load 15 people (including USA obesity problem 15 people weight 3500-4000 pounds or 1.5-2 tons) because of their high sitting position it moves center of gravity of the van higher than it would be empty or loaded with same load, but on floor level.

Also having heavy stuff loaded at top shelves or roof of van shifts center of gravity higher.

1. If someone steer make left or right maneuver too far/sharp on the highway speed it can roll in direction opposite to the turn.

2. If someone makes make left or right maneuver for evading something and then turn suddenly back he could over steer and roll over in opposite direction of the final turn.

3. Same as #2 but road is wet or rear of van is loaded too much it can make it worse as rear axle would skid far in direction of first turn placing same van in same position as if he over steer.

This should not be as much of an issue for van where you live cuz most of the luggage on the floor, however still possible because van is high and even empty has chance of rolling over if handled like sport car rather than like large bus/truck.

This could be avoided by driving safely for road conditions, keeping distance and

P.S. How 10-20" extension roof affect center of gravity on unloaded van is unknown to me, perhaps it increases it to some degree especially dangerous in the strong side wind.

P.P.S. If an object is tilted it will topple over if a vertical line from its centre of gravity falls outside its base.

 

[minimotos95]

I believe this is really caused by people driving too close or above their or the vans limit. If you can't maintain 100% control in an emergency at that speed you need to slow down to where you can safely swerve or brake, simple as that. In those panic situations many people fail to make smooth inputs and wind up jerking the wheel making the situation much worse.
Just because the speed limit is 65-85 doesn't mean you can safely go that fast, especially if you never practice panic stops or swerving at high speed.

 

[B and C]

Center of gravity is the main contributing factor in rollovers.  People being higher in a van than if you were carrying something of the same weight on the floor raises the CG.  People also sway.  A high top will add a little weight up high and move the CG up slightly.  The more weight you can get lower in a van or under the floorboard of a van shifts the CG down.  Rollover testing beyond government standards has been done on Roadtreks.  These have water tanks, generators and propane tanks below floor level making for a very low CG.  Looking at the attached picture, this did not rollover.  Keep heavy things at or near the floor.  Being tall does add to the "sail" effect.

 

[highdesertranger]

everything said here is basically true. vans already have a high center of gravity. slow down. this is another reason I don't like 4wd vans their COG is way to high, on off camber off highway roads they are scary. highdesertranger