Rock on road

[pmax]

Hmmm, is it better to smack it with the bumper, bull bar etc than run a wheel over the obstacle ?

Which maneuver has a lesser chance of losing control ?

[Bugsinrugs]

If I would of had the time to maneuver which I didn’t. Going over this Boulder/ rock would have hit my oil pan and for sure my differential . The rim seems to be the least costly to replace. All in all I got very very lucky.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

Two lane winding road, one side rocky (where the rock came from) hillside with a channel for drainage. The other lane is oncoming traffic with a cliff. No where to go but straight.

Good job handling this situation. Many would have panicked and caused much bigger problems.

[Bugsinrugs]

By the time I saw the rock all I could do was brace for impact. It was raining so I wasn’t going as fast as I normally go. I think that in itself kept me from loosing control. No real skills… lots of luck.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by pmax

That's no boulder ... what do you mean you can't avoid hitting it ?

Originally Posted by pmax

Hmmm, is it better to smack it with the bumper, bull bar etc than run a wheel over the obstacle ?

Which maneuver has a lesser chance of losing control ?

You seem to keep questioning his judgment and reaction to a sudden obstacle in the road. You weren't there at that moment in time. He seemed to respond just as well if not better than any of us would.

[pmax]

^^^ Don’t think bugs’ necessarily looking for an attaboy here.. but just in case, well done !

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

If I would of had the time to maneuver which I didn’t. Going over this Boulder/ rock would have hit my oil pan and for sure my differential . The rim seems to be the least costly to replace. All in all I got very very lucky.

Bugs,
Let me know anyways if I’m wrong there and I’ll stop trying to learn something from your scary experience and what others think is the best maneuver in a similar situation.

How tall is the suspension ? Going over loses traction so I think that increases the probability of losing control. The higher it goes the higher the chances of flipping over. Some damage is already a given, metal and plastic can be fixed or replaced. The airbags if the truck has them will pop in a direct smack which has others implications. Is stomping on the brakes advisable here ?

[Bugsinrugs]

Stopping on the brakes was not an option as I didn’t see the rock until I was almost on it. My attention was on the guy that was in my lane coming towards me as he was passing a camper. As I cleared him I was taking a slight turn and there was the rock. No time to react. Stay straight and hope for the best. It all worked out as the rim is the cheapest to replace.

[Bugsinrugs]

The second pic is the turn wher a car was passing a camper that had my focus. The first pic is the rock that I couldn’t avoid because the oncoming car and rock were there at the same time.