StormCruzzer
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The body is one rigid unit so the frame flexes very little now on that truck. Everything is strong enough to handle the stresses. If you tie a box into the factory cab you'll be pulling things apart because the cab is not very strong. The frame will flex and something must give. This problem has been a major part of design for the folks making RVs, which Is why I bring it up. This part is best figured out in the beginning of your design since other things will hinge around it.Not sure who built this, but it's extremely similar to shape I've designed. Want to know how they deal with articulation tho. Maybe they just don't take it off road lol.
Edit: It's a 14-ton caiman mine resistant ambush protected vehicle by BAE
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Gotcha! Thanks for the info. And yeah, it looks like we're going to have the cab and box built completely separate from each other to help with flex. Lockable doors and a crawl through compartment between the twoThe body is one rigid unit so the frame flexes very little now on that truck. Everything is strong enough to handle the stresses. If you tie a box into the factory cab you'll be pulling things apart because the cab is not very strong. The frame will flex and something must give. This problem has been a major part of design for the folks making RVs, which Is why I bring it up. This part is best figured out in the beginning of your design since other things will hinge around it.
That is a BAE Caiman body mounted on an M939 chassis.
I've been chasing out west (From the Mexican Border all the way up to ND) for a while now so I understand how the storm paths and speeds work Most of the supercells we chase move at 20-30mph; 60 is relatively rare as most happen with warm fronts. Early season storms do tend to move much faster - Jan 22nd last year we were chasing a tornado in Albany, GA that was moving near 70mph which was impossible to keep up with in any vehicle there. Bow echos do routinely move 50-80mpg but those aren't really anything that we chase; more of something to park in front of, sit back, and enjoy getting swallowed by the whales mouth.Here in Oklahoma, storm speed can range from <25mph all the way to 60+ across the ground.
Not sure how much "chaseing" you can actually do.
Will be more likely storms passing you.
As dynamic as T Boomers are, you need to be able to react accordingly. Sometimes that means lots of speed to get into position and I just don't see a 5 ton doing that. Even pushing it hard, your only looking at 65 max on flat ground.
As already mentioned, it's just not nimble.
Even the multi-ton commercial rigs with the mobile Doppler radar on the back can turn circles around a 5 ton speed wise.
5 ton would preform much better on the muddy, unimproved roads. We have lots of them.
Tornado path is a completely different animal and I'm not talking about that.
Those will, and have, blow over a train locomotive. A 5 ton would be nothing.
Overland vehicle/RV? Yes. It's been done many times.
Storm chaser? I don't see it. Your current truck is WAY better.
I've use my M925A2 as a wind block when needed.
It's been hit with a 90+ mph gust front, full broadside with cargo cover on.
Did just fine. Cover also held with no damage.
Routinely takes 60-70+ Hits during peak storm season.
For the $$$ and time your talking about investing, I think there are much better options out there.
Too slow, stick with the M923A2 and crank the governor up. Should be able to get higher speed rated tires...Starting to really like the M1083. 5 ton capacity with a cab over engine so more area in the living quarters
Yupp back to the m923a2 again haha. Just kinda posting my thoughts out loud to get people's opinions. Thanks!Too slow, stick with the M923A2 and crank the governor up. Should be able to get higher speed rated tires...
Yesssss. Although we don't drive over the actual corn like they do there, a lot of the roads are very similar to the dirt roads/paths in that segment there, sometimes filled with thick mud. We have no problem with them in the StormCruzzer but 95% of other chasers can't take them and have to go the long way round.
Nope none whatsoever. They do find more remote locations so they don'y really have to worry about debris. The Instruments on the back range from $250-1000K so they do everything they can to avoid debris.Does that truck have any armor or ballistic glass?
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Hahaha I agree. I'm extremely surprised not only that the truck can withstand that but they feel comfortable in there as well. I would have thought they would at least have ballistic glass but was shocked when he told me it was regular automotive glass.I hope remote like the moon, Ill bet even Dorthy's little dog wold make a mess of the windshield at 155mph!
Another random thought for your new big rig. If you get a chance check out the hydraulic screw anchors that they use on the front of directional drill rigs.
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