It’s “snow” Problem

[Made in USA]

A good way to test stability differences is to get into a push-up position. With your hands and feet both spread, have someone push on your hip. The lower you are to the floor the less likely they can push you over. So if you raise your butt higher, it will be easier to push you over.
To compare to a three wheeler, put your feet together. Again, the closer to the floor the more stable. Note: Pushing on the hip represents a force similar to turning a corner in a vehicle. Granted, this is a simple demonstration, but it shows the basic physics involved as a starting point. Like others have said, steering geometry, stability systems, etc., are involved also. The Elio is long and low, and with the wide wheelbase should prove to be pretty stable. Some of the new three wheelers look too tall and short to be nearly as stable as the Elio.

 

[3wheelin]

"Give me a place to stand and I can move the world" Archimedes of Syracuse (c. 287 BC to c. 212 BC)

It's a simple lever. The center of gravity is the fulcrum. The farther a force (in this instance, weight) is from the fulcrum, the more force on the entire vehicle it will have. A person sitting AT the center of gravity or AT the axis, will not impart a considerable force. A person sitting 3 feet outside (in this case to the right) of the center will impart a considerable force. Also, the polaris passenger(s) sit well behind the center of gravity increasing the distance and thus, increasing the force and increasing the chances of a roll over.

Should I bring crayons next time?

Well explained CrimsonEclipse. Maybe RSchneider should try this simple experiment- tie a piece of string about 6 inches or so) on a pencil and try to swing it around- with almost no forces acting on the string, it feels nothing in your hand- next tie a marble or anything with weight at the end of the string and depending how far or close the weight is tied in to the pencil, the more or less forces you can feel in your hand (acting as fulcrum).

 

[RSchneider]

I'm sorry guys I was applying dynamic forces with a multitude of variables as compared to static one with no more than three. I see that vehicle statics is what we are using for Elio studies.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

I'm sorry guys I was applying dynamic forces with a multitude of variables as compared to static one with no more than three. I see that vehicle statics is what we are using for Elio studies.

I see you found Wikipedia.

 

[RSchneider]

I see you found Wikipedia.

Many years before I found Wikipedia, I found that having a BSME was quite useful too.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

Time for a remedial course

 

[Smitty901]

How much snow is a problem ,often depends on who is in it 3 wheels not much of a problem. For some of us.

 

[W. WIllie]

To me, it is easier driving on fresh snow that following the tracks in compacted ruts.

 

[RSchneider]

I used to have a 1980 Honda ATC. A few other friends had various trikes like it and we'd all go out on a frozen lake and have lots of fun. If you used a bunch of really short sheet metal screws with a hex head and put them in the knobbies, it gripped much better on the ice.

 

[W. WIllie]

That is called "Ice racing" which they still do today, especially " in Europe.

It is basically, flat tracking with spikes.