What does it take to tip a trailer over?

A combination of factors too numerous to mention. The whole load would basically have to be pushed past its center of gravity.

 

Trucks roll for different reasons.You'll often hear on the news,traffic is backed up because of an over turned trailer.For the most part around here it's on exit ramps and on ramps.Combine the curve of the ramp with excess speed and that equals a flip.It can happen on a straight road also.I was following a meat hauler a few years back.A car cut him off.He swerved and I watched his trailer pitch right,then left then back right,then left and then go over in the median.He was hauling swinging beef,high center of gravity and unstable.Other loads can do the same,liquids or tank cars which aren't full can force the load towards one side and change the center of gravity.Tankers have some of these same problems even with baffles,Gas Hauler can help you on that.Improper loading can be bad too.I worked for a carrier that loaded a trailer with different freight except they put 20,000 lb's on one side and 5,000 lb's on the other.The excuse?Had to make fit.I can't really say at what point a trailer is going to roll.It depends on the load,your speed and the center of gravity of the load and terrain.Most of us do know when starting to jackknife there is a point of no return.I guess it applies to rollovers as well.if you feel uncomfortable with getting your trailer to a dock,don't.It will be on your record if there is an accident, no one else.

 

Yea different loads/drivers/terrain/this/that/& other will all dictate when a trailer will tip. From what I have noticed in the past is taking a curve too fast seems to be the most common cause of a roll over. One time I picked up a load of master rolls of toilet paper in a sealed trailer and they were not strapped to their little pallets or secured in anyway so they got loose and rounding a curve on Hwy 30 by Nicolli street the trailer started to tip, got the chassis down into the drive tires, I was able to straighten it out but the poor people in the lane next to me probably thought I was some sort of wacko trying to run them off the road. Anyway for the most part I think speed is what causes most of them.

 

Getting yourself in a situation when you don't know how the trailer stayed upright of course is not what you want to do. Know your load and slow down is the best advice I can give. I don't apply any power that might shift the load. Like when you're on on-ramps. Apply the power when you straighten out some. Try to be as smooth as you can all the time. It's better for you and the equipment.

 

Given that the OP was in a parking lot, I'm pretty sure speed wasn't a significant factor. I found a couple lots like that myself in just two weeks on the road. Not so bad as what he is describing, but bad enough that I became very careful where I put my tires.

When I got inside, I *wrote* a complaint to the manager/owners of each place. Nothing rude, just a request, really, asking them to grade their lot. Be darned if I came through again a week later, and one of them HAD graded the lot. Dunno if it was me, or they were gonna do it anyway, but I felt good.

 

I am going to huff and puff and blow this trailer over

I just had to say it, sorry. I won't high jack no more

 

lol - I was gonna say "a lot more than it takes to Tippacanoe".. but wonder how many would catch the reference.

 

I think one thing to think of is, if it would make a four wheeler skid, then it will make a big truck roll. I had a driver tell me that he saw a truck layover while parked on a shoulder. The shoulder gave way as all his tires were not on the pavement.

Where I'm from, the ramp that connects I-26 and I-20 has rollovers weekly. I swear!! It's a bad ramp but the main factor is trucks going too fast for the curve. I always go 5 to 10 mph under the posted curve speeds and if it's a real heavy/top heavy load even slower!

Always go by the speedometer and proper gear for the the speed you want, not what you "feel".