Is it time for roll bars?

[Gene Moore]

"John, run to the store and get a gallon of milk, we're out" Funny that John, (our phantom chaser) drives to the store in the same vehicle he drives 100 yards from a rain-wrapped tornado.....the family SUV. If, as a group, we're going to chase more aggressively then we need to change how we approach storms in order to come back safe. Everyone that gets into these incidents and accidents has an excuse, but there is no mistake that the group's risk tolerance has changed. I don't want to see anyone hurt, but I'm not going to step into the responsible chasing topic. Granted I want to see more storm structure observations applied and less radar, but that's another thread.

So what to do.... I purpose we beef up our vehicles to take at least one or two good roll overs so we can at least "walk away." Detroit considered this for convertibles and sports vehicles, but the insurance industry stated it would just invite more aggressive driving. Will that happen here, not sure, but we're already pushing the envelope.

How much does it cost, generally about $350 plus labor. This doesn't give you a NASCAR vehicle, but it will keep the roof from caving in if the worst comes to pass. Also, know the difference between a real roll bar and a light bar that will not help if the vehicle rolls. I have a link on my home computer to a company that will make one for any vehicle, I'm on the road now. I'll post it when I get back.

Is a roll bar a substitute for responsible chasing, nope. And it dam sure won't protect anyone driving into a "Pampa 95", remember the pickup flying out the top of the funnel? That said, it will help if a chaser gets blindsided by a strong RFD or rogue vortex on the outer edge of the mesocyclone. Otherwise if your chase vehicle is a rental or the family sedan it's best to stay out of the core and out from under wall clouds.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

Well - I'm not sure if it's time for the roll bar installation on the chasecar yet. But I am working on a virtual device that can be installed on any computer that frequents online forums. It's meant to protect the more delicate from harm when something is said that may trigger the auto-defense mechanism while reading inflammatory threads. On one hand, it will let folks feel free to express an opinion when they want to talk about safety ... but on the other, it will let comments roll off the backs of those who might otherwise be quick to take offense.

I call it the Virtu-Guard 9000. Install it for safe surfing. (As seen on TV.)

 

[Shane Adams]

This is a very good topic, and a serious one as well (as easy as it is to take it as sarcasm). I don't see any reason why the "chase factory" teams aren't doing this. You have several groups out there now that obviously have deep pockets, why not invest some of that cold cash into safety? Then again, as others have noted, this brings about the possibility of even more aggressive chasing. I don't want to see anyone hurt out there anymore than the next guy, but I'd be lying if I said I worry about it much anymore. After seeing/hearing about it every chase now, it kinda loses its urgency. Some people just do not respect danger, and they live to push it to the edge. So be it.

 

[Robert Rohloff]

Gene, post the link on the roll bar dealer. My Honda Ridgeline has airbags for rollover but having the bars would be a nice feature. I do not have to get hit to roll, just driving thru all the HP storms one could miss a curve.

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

Hey Mike,
That is a great idea. Are these a one size fits all or do they come in the large ego size?

 

[Jon Faubion]

Hmmm, myself being a part time racecar fabricator this may be somthing to consider.

Next spring the wife gets a new car and we are keeping the 02 explore for my dailer driver/storm chase vehicle. I have already planned to install some device to keep the windshield intact , I may include a roll cage of sorts, just incase lol.

 

[Warren Faidley]

The Xterra I designed 8 years ago (the first TIV..... lol), had a full roll cage built into the frame with 5-point harnesses, ballistic window coverings, removable door bars, etc. It was installed by a professional welder who designed similar cages for NASCAR and road racing. There is a lot to making a roll cage actually work -- so it does not collapse. The welding point to the frame is quite complex as are the bends.

What I discovered was -- the main safety feature was not so much a roll-over accident, but rather, falling debris, power poles, etc. The new chase unit has factory reinforced roof supports and full air-curtains above and on the sides. I think a roll cage is a great idea, but you really need door protection to make it safe, so removable or "out-swinging door bars" are a good idea if adding a cage. Make sure to use the strongest (light weight) steel to avoid adding too much weight.

I saw two roll-over accidents this year, one involving a large Chevy SUV between Dumas and Amarillo. Despite at least two rolls, the truck maintained it's passenger area integrity. Go ahead and poke fun.... but the best protection would be to wear a sport (or even a bicycling) helmet, since most roll-overs involve serious head injuries if you are wearing a seat belt.

W.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

While it's true that cars involved with tornadic contact end up getting tossed and crushed (sometimes quite a ways), I would think the majority of injuries out there actually result from glass breakage and debris coming through windows. To me, if your car is going to become a missile, it's going to take more than roll bars to save your butt. However, since the majority of tornadoes are weak, it would stand to reason that the majority of injury actually results from debris.

Also, we were talking about this on a recent chase. If you watch the Alabama video from this year of the cars getting tossed around, you'll notice that they are lifted from the back, likely because the weight of the engine was holding down the front of the vehicle. So there may be some application there for designing more tornado-proof vehicles (like the addition of counter-weight in the rear to establish greater balance under high wind conditions).

 

[D. Hayes]

I read and watch a lot of stuff on trucks..., rock climbing, mudding, and off road racing. Pretty much all things truck. It's not terribly hard to construct a roll cage but if you're going to do it at least do it right. You can't make 90 degree connections in a roll cage, they need to flow into each other so the impact force can carry on into the other parts of the cage into the frame. 4x4 Extreme 4x4 on powerblock.tv ran a show on building a CORR Pro II race truck. The entire vehicle was built in tube construction as a roll cage. I'm not saying you need to make the entire vehicle a roll cage. But that episode has excellent tips for any roll cage design. You should be able to purchase the episode on Itunes. Build it wrong and you might as well not of put one in at all. Also if you install a harness such as a 4 point you have to have a solid roll cage. Otherwise your head can become the roll cage.

I've considered doing that for my truck and after last night it may happen pretty soon. As a working guy and a part time spotter I don't always have the time to pick the best location. Like 6/12 here in SE Kansas, the storm looked visually like it was going to pass us by and continue heading NE. But it started a hard pull east and hit us pretty good. I had about 10 minute between hearing the weather radio and getting to a spot to look out before the tornado sirens went off. That put me directly between the town and the storm with a very short distance in between. If things went for the worse a roll bar might have been very useful in those few minutes.

what everyone else says also makes sense. Adding some ballistic protection would be easy and might come in very handy. Purchase some Kevlar make some reinforced curtains to protect against glass and small projectiles.

 

[Gene Moore]

Gene, post the link on the roll bar dealer. My Honda Ridgeline has airbags for rollover but having the bars would be a nice feature. I do not have to get hit to roll, just driving thru all the HP storms one could miss a curve.

Here is the link: http://autoweldchassis.com/rbc.ivnu

I'm a bit shocked this topic was pretty much ignored, few even read it much less commented. That proves to me that interest in self protection is very low. It also screams out that most feel they are in no danger, too bad because they are. Anyone can get caught where they didn't intend to be in a storm, especially after dark. I'll bet this topic comes up again after someone gets hurt, maybe not this season (we're winding down), but perhaps next season.

 

[David Schuttler]

Any worries of making a vehicle too top heavy though?

 

[Jason Foster]

roll cage on the outside

why put the roll cage on the inside, put it on the outside so everyone can see it.... I mean, isn't that why we but light bars and stickers all over our cars. Gotta give those TIV guys a run for their money on sexy-ugly chase vehicles.

 

[Robert Balogh]

" don't see any reason why the "chase factory" teams aren't doing this. You have several groups out there now that obviously have deep pockets, why not invest some of that cold cash into safety? "

No amount of money can get you in safety what knowledge, awareness of and attention your surroundings, good information and, above, common sense and good decision making will get you

 

[Gerard Jebaily]

Also, know the difference between a real roll bar and a light bar that will not help if the vehicle rolls.

Light bars make it yet again into another ST thread. Just messin with you Gene, i know what you meant but it made me laugh..

 

[Gene Moore]

why put the roll cage on the inside, put it on the outside so everyone can see it.... I mean, isn't that why we but light bars and stickers all over our cars. Gotta give those TIV guys a run for their money on sexy-ugly chase vehicles.

Light bars should go on the inside of the vehicle, along with the strobes....that way the driver can enjoy them the most.

As for the mention of flying glass, not me, I always roll down the windows when I drive through a tornado....having them up is not only dangerous, takes away from the full effect of the suction spots.....not to mention my hand held anemometer works much better.