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H2: Introduction
H3: Off-Roading in LA
H3: The Discovery
H4: The 27North Camper
H4: The Abandoned Vehicle
H2: Technical Assessment
H3: Rear Driveshaft Failure
H4: An Engineering Perspective
H4: Is it Ford’s Fault?
H4: Off-Roading Heavy Trucks
H2: Conclusion
H2: FAQ
Introduction:
Off-roading in LA can lead to unexpected surprises. Recently, while out on a ride, our author stumbled upon the million-dollar 27North Ascender 30A, abandoned and stuck on an off-road trail. He and his friend quickly assessed the situation and tried to figure out what had gone wrong. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the technical details behind this incident.
The Discovery:
While off-roading in LA, the author and his friend came across the 27North Ascender 30A camper, stranded and abandoned on the trail. The vehicle had failed catastrophically, and a quick inspection revealed that the problem lay with the rear driveshaft. The driveshaft had come apart due to a failed wheel bearing, which caused additional strain on the drivetrain.
The 27North Camper:
The 27North camper, with a price tag of a million dollars, is known for its luxurious interior and top-notch engineering. It converts dual rear-wheel (dually) F-550s into single rear-wheel trucks, which would increase the moment arm on the wheel bearings, reducing their lifespan. The rear-wheel bearing failure is allegedly due to Ford’s defect—an issue that has been plaguing other 4×4 camper companies like Earthroamer.
The Abandoned Vehicle:
The 27North Ascender 30A, according to its CEO Paul Bosovik, was given to a media outlet to do extreme off-road tests. Apparently, the vehicle was being put head-to-head with a Toyota 4Runner, and these trails were more inline with the 4Runner’s capabilities, the CEO implied. Bosovik claims that a failed rear wheel bearing caused additional strain on the drivetrain, leading to the factory driveshaft twisting up like a pretzel. The 27North team hired an engineering company to assess their designs, and they concluded that rear-wheel bearing failure is actually due to Ford’s rear-wheel bearing defect.
Technical Assessment:
The failure of the rear driveshaft was most likely due to the increased load caused by the failed wheel bearing. It should be noted that heavy trucks, like the 27North Ascender 30A, are not built for off-roading. The added weight puts lots of strain on components, and once you’re stranded in an 18,000 pound truck, getting it off the trail isn’t easy.
An Engineering Perspective:
The 27North camper is known for its luxurious interior, but it’s also engineered to perform. The rear driveshaft, like most rear driveshafts for heavy trucks, is hollow, gaining its torsional stiffness via its second polar moment of area. The increased diameter to the fourth power lets the shaft remain light, even though it’s hollow.
Is it Ford’s Fault?
The rear-wheel bearing failure is allegedly due to Ford’s rear-wheel bearing defect. The 27North team hired an engineering company to assess their designs, and they concluded that rear-wheel bearing failure is actually due to Ford’s rear-wheel bearing defect—an issue that has been plaguing other 4×4 camper companies like Earthroamer.
Off-Roading Heavy Trucks:
Heavy trucks, like the 27North Ascender 30A, are not built for off-roading. The added weight puts lots of strain on components, and once you’re stranded in an 18,000 pound truck, getting it off the trail isn’t easy. Off-roading with heavy trucks requires skill and expertise. Heavy trucks can be powerful, but they can also be dangerous if not handled properly.
Conclusion:
The incident with the 27North Ascender 30A serves as a reminder that, no matter how badass and unstoppable a big truck might look, the reality is that size is a bad thing off-road. Not just because it makes maneuvering more difficult, but because that added weight puts lots of strain on components, and once you’re stranded in an 18,000 pound truck, getting it off the trail isn’t easy.
FAQ:
Q: What caused the 27North Ascender 30A to fail catastrophically?
A: The failure of the rear driveshaft was most likely due to the increased load caused by a failed rear-wheel bearing.
Q: Why are heavy trucks not built for off-roading?
A: Heavy trucks, like the 27North Ascender 30A, are not built for off-roading because the added weight puts lots of strain on components, making it difficult to maneuver and fix if damaged.
Q: Is it Ford’s fault that the 27North Ascender 30A failed?
A: According to 27North’s CEO, the failure of the rear-wheel bearing was due to Ford’s rear-wheel bearing defect.
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