p38
Caught the Bug
OK, here's the details and pictures of the roll-over on "High-Dive" this past April at Moab.
I was on the trail "Behind The Rocks" with a group of very experienced drivers, extremely capable rigs, and an excellent spotter. This was my 3rd trip to Moab, and honestly I had avoided this trail in the past because of the hazards described in the trail guide. But, what better way to gain some experience than with a group like this. We made our way to "High Dive"; several of the obstacles I encountered enroute required repeated attempts - but with each of those I was gaining experience and confidence in my rig. We got to "High Dive" and the spotter went first. I observed the use of ropes to control his descent, but it obviously didn't make a strong enough impression. I watched as several others successfully made their way down the obstacle and when I heard, "Who's next?" I heard my mouth say, "Me". In retrospect, my jeep is stretched - but it's still only102". A rope might not have been a bad idea. I pulled the straps of my 5 point harness as tight as they would go and rolled forward. Reaching the edge, the angel on my right should was whispering, "This might not be a good idea", while the devil on the left was saying, "Remember, as the french say, Pas de balles - pas de médailles aériennes". Translation - "No balls - no air medals". Atlas - front and rear in low, SM420 in 1st, I lined up on the spotter. No throttle and foot on the brake I was making my way about 2/3 of the way down and I felt the brake pedal mush to the floor, simultaneously I felt the rig accelerate, heard the spotter say, "Slower", and pumped the brake pedal as hard as I could. I heard the pop as the pedal went to the floor, saw the drop, saw the spotter, yelled "NO BRAKES", and signaled for him to get out of the way. The jeep dropped, rolled left - I saw the windshield hit and crack, and then rest was feeling the jeep roll around me. It was relatively slow and smooth, the only jolt was when it landed on the right side. I pulled the kill pin but it didn't kill the engine. I could hear the guys yelling, "Shut it off, shut it off". With the kill pin in my hand, I had to locate the fuel correct pump switch and turn it off. (Note: those switches are in an sPod located overhead, and when covered with dust are difficult to ascertain which is on. Those will be changed in a future mod)
If memory is correct, the first to arrive were the spotter, and my friend Art Crofts. They both asked if I was ok and assured me I was not on fire and not leaking fuel - comforting info when you're laying on your side and strapped in so tight you cant move. Art told me to stay put and replied, "That's not going to be a problem". Art, his son Brian, and others winched me back upright and helped me out of the rig.
At this point I need to say thank you to all who helped me, and showed a genuine concern for my well being.
The rig was surveyed and the offending brake line located. Actually, I think some of the guys knew because they were standing next to it when it failed.
Something you will see in the pictures, there's no debris field - nothing flew out or off the rig. It doesn't resemble the "Yard Sale" look you see after so many other roll-overs. Every piece of equipment or accessory in my rig is either bolted or strapped in place. There are flush mounted tie down rails and Mac's built a custom set of straps for my gear. The owner of Mac's was there - once he made certain I was ok, he took pictures of all the gear - securely held in place. There's a National Luna Fridge/freezer as well - it stayed put.
Spotter is telling me to slow down, I feel the pedal fade and pump it hard.
Brake line failed, jeep slid down the steep rock and the left front tire hooked up in that gap on the right side. My left arm is out to wave at the spotter and others to get out of the way. I had it back inside when the windshield hit.
The contact points here are the stinger, left side of the hood, and the windshield. My arm is safely inside.
Rotating off the stinger and the roof rack.
Continuing to rotate on the stinger, roof rack appears to be clear.
Coming down on the roof rack. The momentum is carrying the jeep forward and it's about to roll onto the right side.
Coming down on the right side.
This is where the right rear corner hits. You can see some of the damage to the left side windshield.
This is pretty much where it came to rest.
I'll post the damage pictures in another post.
I was on the trail "Behind The Rocks" with a group of very experienced drivers, extremely capable rigs, and an excellent spotter. This was my 3rd trip to Moab, and honestly I had avoided this trail in the past because of the hazards described in the trail guide. But, what better way to gain some experience than with a group like this. We made our way to "High Dive"; several of the obstacles I encountered enroute required repeated attempts - but with each of those I was gaining experience and confidence in my rig. We got to "High Dive" and the spotter went first. I observed the use of ropes to control his descent, but it obviously didn't make a strong enough impression. I watched as several others successfully made their way down the obstacle and when I heard, "Who's next?" I heard my mouth say, "Me". In retrospect, my jeep is stretched - but it's still only102". A rope might not have been a bad idea. I pulled the straps of my 5 point harness as tight as they would go and rolled forward. Reaching the edge, the angel on my right should was whispering, "This might not be a good idea", while the devil on the left was saying, "Remember, as the french say, Pas de balles - pas de médailles aériennes". Translation - "No balls - no air medals". Atlas - front and rear in low, SM420 in 1st, I lined up on the spotter. No throttle and foot on the brake I was making my way about 2/3 of the way down and I felt the brake pedal mush to the floor, simultaneously I felt the rig accelerate, heard the spotter say, "Slower", and pumped the brake pedal as hard as I could. I heard the pop as the pedal went to the floor, saw the drop, saw the spotter, yelled "NO BRAKES", and signaled for him to get out of the way. The jeep dropped, rolled left - I saw the windshield hit and crack, and then rest was feeling the jeep roll around me. It was relatively slow and smooth, the only jolt was when it landed on the right side. I pulled the kill pin but it didn't kill the engine. I could hear the guys yelling, "Shut it off, shut it off". With the kill pin in my hand, I had to locate the fuel correct pump switch and turn it off. (Note: those switches are in an sPod located overhead, and when covered with dust are difficult to ascertain which is on. Those will be changed in a future mod)
If memory is correct, the first to arrive were the spotter, and my friend Art Crofts. They both asked if I was ok and assured me I was not on fire and not leaking fuel - comforting info when you're laying on your side and strapped in so tight you cant move. Art told me to stay put and replied, "That's not going to be a problem". Art, his son Brian, and others winched me back upright and helped me out of the rig.
At this point I need to say thank you to all who helped me, and showed a genuine concern for my well being.
The rig was surveyed and the offending brake line located. Actually, I think some of the guys knew because they were standing next to it when it failed.
Something you will see in the pictures, there's no debris field - nothing flew out or off the rig. It doesn't resemble the "Yard Sale" look you see after so many other roll-overs. Every piece of equipment or accessory in my rig is either bolted or strapped in place. There are flush mounted tie down rails and Mac's built a custom set of straps for my gear. The owner of Mac's was there - once he made certain I was ok, he took pictures of all the gear - securely held in place. There's a National Luna Fridge/freezer as well - it stayed put.
Spotter is telling me to slow down, I feel the pedal fade and pump it hard. Brake line failed, jeep slid down the steep rock and the left front tire hooked up in that gap on the right side. My left arm is out to wave at the spotter and others to get out of the way. I had it back inside when the windshield hit. The contact points here are the stinger, left side of the hood, and the windshield. My arm is safely inside.Rotating off the stinger and the roof rack.Continuing to rotate on the stinger, roof rack appears to be clear.Coming down on the roof rack. The momentum is carrying the jeep forward and it's about to roll onto the right side.Coming down on the right side.This is where the right rear corner hits. You can see some of the damage to the left side windshield.This is pretty much where it came to rest.I'll post the damage pictures in another post.
