How well do they float?

Purrybonker · 09-12-2003, 09:34 AM

I got caught in a sudden deluge going home from work last night. One of those rains where the storm sewers can't keep up and the streets start to flood. Those of you from the desert states are probably experts on them.

Traffic had me trapped in a lane with about a foot of standing water. The mighty SUV's were lined-up to go around the deep water (I see this all the time - the SUV drivers seem to be the first to panic in the face of adverse road conditions), but I was impatient and waded through uneventfully.

Got me wondering - how well do these things float?

TMH · 09-12-2003, 09:39 AM

Hopefully you are not too serious???

Actually, I think that the most critical issue to you is not the deep water, but the 1-2" large puddles. Several threads about swapping ends before the driver knew what happened due to hydroplaning.

Be careful out there: 911's are not "schwimmingwagons" (sp?).

Tom

Purrybonker · 09-12-2003, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Actually, I think that the most critical issue to you is not the deep water, but the 1-2" large puddles. Several threads about swapping ends before the driver knew what happened due to hydroplaning.

hard to hydroplane at 2.5 mph, I think

To clarify - this was city traffic at rush hour speeds.

banjomike · banjomike's Garage

you couldn't displace enough to float in 1' deep water. I'd be worried about water seeping in through the doors and soaking the inside. The air intake isn't in a position to suck water, and that is good. I'd be hesitant to go through anything that deep though if I had to I would.

I grew up in Salt Lake and this would happen a lot. Usually the puddle would be deeper on the right side due to the crown of the road. I used to hit these in my Golf and/or Landcruiser at 30-40 mph sending 30' rooster tails into the air! Ah, youthful indiscresion.

thabaer · thabaer's Garage

I'd expect the engine weight to drown the intake before you could ever get a chance to float. (i.e. nose straight up to the sky floating)

Neilk · 09-12-2003, 07:59 PM

It's good to hear that you had so much rain. My dad is in western BC and was really worried about losing his house to forest fires. The recent rains have calmed his fears.

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

Maybe you're thinking of the old VW Beetle commercials showing them floating. Some friends and I actually tried this in high school with a brand new 1974 'Sun Bug'. Worked fairly well until the driver decided to open his door and check the water level - it was over the sill and we quickly filled the Bug with water ..........