Best place to add mass for extra grip

[vitnagetrouble]

Hi - to gain the best advantage in off-roading/trials more mass on the driven wheels is generally better.

But do you get the best effect from adding extra mass to sprung or unsprung weight ?

ie to bodywork mounted on the springs, or to the axle itself ?

Cheers.

[SystemParanoia]

water in the tyres ( lots! )

[vitnagetrouble]

We're not allowed to do that, but I do have a large lump of lead laying around.....

[powerstroke]

Unless its 2 WD extra weight is a hinderance unless its a tractor or you are using it as one...

[vitnagetrouble]

Car is rear wheel drive.

[KevinCamaroSS]

I don't know much about trialling, but assume your car is a lightweight rwd with fiddle brakes and a passenger that moved around to help mass distribution?

Do you have weight rules etc.?

[jhonn]

It's not as simple as adding more mass and where to put it. For off-roading/trials I suggest lowering your mass as much as possible, after all every extra kilo that you have to drag over an obstacle works against you.

However, for optimum grip/performance I recommend that you optimise your tyre width/pressure/profile to the weight of your vehicle.

If your tyre is too wide (for the overall weight) it will not 'dig-in' and get grip; too narrow (for the overall weight) and you get no flotation on very soft going.

It can be tricky to get right, however it's worth trying before you start adding weight; if you decide to add weight it's best being kept low and sprung.

[vitnagetrouble]

Thankyou. I had a very heavy bouncer on my last outing and thought I was getting much more grip than with my usual bouncer who is somewhat significantly lighter, hence the question.

[PhillipM]

With a RWD trails bouncer then as far back as possible and sprung. And keep adding it until it can lift a front with your bouncer right back under maximum effort.

[vitnagetrouble]

Phillip - thanks for input, have managed to get an extra few kgs pushing directly on to sprung chassis parts which may help for the next one.

If not, it's back to the oversized bouncer again, but the lighter ones prettier, female and I'm married to her so she gets first option on the seat haha

[Cold]

Is it worth suggesting that the lighter weight bouncer becomes the driver and has her hubby do the bouncing?