Increased rollover risk?

[Tamie]

I'm deferring to our much more highly researched physics and engineering professionals for this question from a parent:

"Is there an increased rollover risk in an SUV when cargo is carried on the top luggage rack? Does it matter if a bulk carrier is used as opposed to smaller pieces distributed more evenly weight-wise?"

Tamie

 

[SafeDad]

Yes-

I cringe when I see monster cargo carriers on the top of already rollover-prone SUVs. One mom at our preschool leaves their carrier on their older Expedition year round. Even when empty, having another 30 pounds (or whatever the carrier weighs) above the vehicle is still making the risk higher.

The more weight on top, or even inside a vehicle, the higher the center of gravity becomes. This really applies to any vehicle, though the end result is going to be worse on tall SUVs that already have a high center of gravity.

The higher the weight is on the vehicle, the more effect it has. So, a cargo carrier on top is about the worst thing you can do:-( I all the cargo is on top, I think the difference is negligible as to how it is distributed. I'd prefer one of those carriers that mounts on the back if at all possible.

The same issue is true for something like a 15-passenger van. These are much more prone to rolling when loaded with 15 people than with just one, according to static and dynamic calculations done by the NHTSA in a study.

 

[Unregistered]

Your right Darren. It's the total mass on top of the vehicle that causes the increased roll potential and distribution has little effect.

However, I object to referring to SUVs as 'rollover prone'.