How 'tough' are our transporters?

Tombs

Tombs

Publisher
T6 Pro
I had a really bad journey both upto and back from Stoneleigh in Warwickshire yesterday due to sadly several accidents which affected traffic. One that stuck out was a white T6 or maybe T5 camper that had been shunted into the car in front by a truck North bound on the M20. All I think were ok but boy did those passengers take a 'whack'! The front and rear had some damage but the van had taken and soaked up most of the impact and seemed intact. Hope all concerned were ok.
 
Tombs said:
I had a really bad journey both upto and back from Stoneleigh in Warwickshire yesterday due to sadly several accidents which affected traffic. One that stuck out was a white T6 or maybe T5 camper that had been shunted into the car in front by a truck North bound on the M20. All I think were ok but boy did those passengers take a 'whack'! The front and rear had some damage but the van had taken and soaked up most of the impact and seemed intact. Hope all concerned were ok.
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If the van was in the middle, most of the energy from the shunt will have been transferred to the car in front maybe? Unless that only applies if all vehicles were touching in the first place. I think the Transporters are a hardy van though, they certainly should be considering their price. I've noticed the difference between the rigidity of my T6 compared to my old Vivaros and Transits. The T6 is stiff as a board. So, hopefully that factor comes into play when involved in a accident. No doubt weak spots and crumple zones are designed in otherwise I will feel sorry for what ever crashed into me or vice versa.
 
I don't want to be Mr Downer on this, but I have wondered about the impact is of cutting the roof off the van to fit a pop-top.
I always imagine the rigidity of a shoe box with the lid and then without the lid.
 
Chopman said:
I don't want to be Mr Downer on this, but I have wondered about the impact is of cutting the roof off the van to fit a pop-top.
I always imagine the rigidity of a shoe box with the lid and then without the lid.
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@Chopman I believe all pop top conversions utilise a steel frame to edge the "hole" thus retaining structural integrity.
 
Chopman said:
I don't want to be Mr Downer on this, but I have wondered about the impact is of cutting the roof off the van to fit a pop-top.
I always imagine the rigidity of a shoe box with the lid and then without the lid.
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I thought the same about cutting holes in panel vans for windows, then gave my head a wobble ha
 
My T5 conversation was done professionally but I used to very often observe it flexing with the a posts moving slightly over bad road conditions. I would not have another pop top but not for ridgity reasons, more for the fact I didn't use it really and during bad weather I would close it down as it would act like a boat sail and stop you going to sleep. But each to their own, if you need one have one. The ridgity of the chassis is always still intact and roof is not classed as a crumple zone so should not make any difference really.
 
Buggirl said:
My T5 conversation was done professionally but I used to very often observe it flexing with the a posts moving slightly over bad road conditions. I would not have another pop top but not for ridgity reasons, more for the fact I didn't use it really and during bad weather I would close it down as it would act like a boat sail and stop you going to sleep. But each to their own, if you need one have one. The ridgity of the chassis is always still intact and roof is not classed as a crumple zone so should not make any difference really.
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I'm afraid to say, that the roof is an integral part of the vehicles crumple zones system, it is designed to give in certain areas, and at certain forces to absorb the impact of any collision and stop it transferring to other areas.. It is part of the unibody construction, even the windscreen is classed as a structural element nowadays, hence why people get bent out of shape over cracks in windscreens, as it does more than form part of the airbag system design.
 
T6 Dave said:
I'm afraid to say, that the roof is an integral part of the vehicles crumple zones system, it is designed to give in certain areas, and at certain forces to absorb the impact of any collision and stop it transferring to other areas.. It is part of the unibody construction, even the windscreen is classed as a structural element nowadays, hence why people get bent out of shape over cracks in windscreens, as it does more than form part of the airbag system design.
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I would have guessed that the Cali with a pop top, is just the same as a conversation pop top, i.e no extra strengthening/stiffening added?, only a guess mind;)
 
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chriscroft said:
I would have guessed that the Cali with a pop top, is just the same as a conversation pop top, i.e no extra strengthening/stiffening added?, only a guess mind;)
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More than likely they have the same type of frame that takes the hinge etc.. This is also engineered to replace the structural stiffness that has been removed by the large sunroof opening, vw have a specific cut area allowed apparently, and abroad the systems have to meet TUV etc..

BTW I'm jig, panel & paint qualified, and also able to assess vehicles.. And if needs write them off. To name but one area of my varied skill sets..
 
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