How to determine "ground clearance" for a rig?

All good input. I'm familiar with skill & experience making a difference. A saying of mine I would tell the kids at the track, "The car does not make the driver."
 
this a good question...I live east of the Rockies and I doubt you will ever see a "high clearance vehicle" sign on this side, but I have seen plenty in the west and definitely have seen a lot of those signs in Colorado. I posted earlier about 10" being high clearance, but then I was wondering what the "official" definition would be. I looked up the National Parks Service to see what they quote it as and I found this:

1788270752699.png

That's the National Parks definition, so I would guess that since most of the high clearance signs are state or national park assigned, then that would be the official definition.

Long story short...the wife and I were going thru lower Colorado and came to the Continential Divide. Off the highway, there was a jeep trail going up the Continential Divide lookout and the sign said jeep trail and high clearance and 4x4 vehicles. I have a 4x4 tundra on 34's and so I proceeded up the trail feeling very confident. it was rough and I had to steer around some rocks or I would have bottomed out. I finally made it up to the top and there were several small cars already up there. Subaru AWD and a few others. it was obvious that they didn't have that much clearance, but they did make it. not just one, but several, so I guess high clearance for one might not be high clearance for someone else, but I guess the park's definition gives a safe baseline to go off of. maybe their definition of high clearance would be the height needed for a normal, not very skilled driver to make it thru.
 
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grubworm said:
this a good question...I live east of the Rockies and I doubt you will ever see a "high clearance vehicle" sign on this side, but I have seen plenty in the west and definitely have seen a lot of those signs in Colorado. I posted earlier about 10" being high clearance, but then I was wondering what the "official" definition would be. I looked up the National Parks Service to see what they quote it as and I found this:

View attachment 301769

That's the National Parks definition, so I would guess that since most of the high clearance signs are state or national park assigned, then that would be the official definition.

Long story short...the wife and I were going thru lower Colorado and came to the Continential Divide. Off the highway, there was a jeep trail going up the Continential Divide lookout and the sign said jeep trail and high clearance and 4x4 vehicles. I have a 4x4 tundra on 34's and so I proceeded up the trail feeling very confident. it was rough and I had to steer around some rocks or I would have bottomed out. I finally made it up to the top and there were several small cars already up there. Subaru AWD and a few others. it was obvious that they didn't have that much clearance, but they did make it. not just one, but several, so I guess high clearance for one might not be high clearance for someone else, but I guess the park's definition gives a safe baseline to go off of. maybe their definition of high clearance would be the height needed for a normal, not very skilled driver to make it thru.
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Correct. Average Joe has to be able to drive it. Anyone in a Civic hatchback that makes it has some props
 
I've always found that when tracks are labelled high clearance 4WD, the person determining that often errs on the side of caution. I always try to gather as much information as possible on the actual condition of the trail, particularly specific obstacles, before starting. Failing that, I'm always prepared to turn around early.
The VW is an interesting vehicle when determining ground clearance. Being all-independent suspension, everything is tucked up inside, so it's just the bash plate at around 8". I'm more worried about approach and departure angles.
 
Air Cooled Nut said:
VW eh? Whatcha got? I have my parent's '72 Type III and a '76 Rivera Type II.
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Currently not an air-cooled one, I've had a few in he past. TypeIII, Kombi and Beetle
This one is a Series 6 (T6) Transporter (Eurovan) 4Motion (syncro), with a modest lift kit and plenty of protection underneath. It's a vehicle not sold in the US.
 
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