UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-DEARBORN

Department of Mechanical Engineering

ME 543-

Vehicle Dynamics

Assigned: 1/13/2015
Homework #1
Due: 2 PM 1/20/2015
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1)(30%) An empty minivan weights 1450 kg distributed 60% on the front axle and 40% on the
rear. The wheelbase is 3.1 meters. The CG height of the empty vehicle is 690 mm. The van can
haul seven passengers. Assume the passengers each weight 75 kg and they are located 2 in the
front seat, 2 in the middle seat and 3 in the rear. The CGs of the passengers in each seat are
indicated in the drawing.

a) Find the horizontal and vertical location of the composite CG (van plus passengers)
b) Calculate the weight on the front and rear wheels with the seven passenger load.
2) (70%) A pickup truck and a trailer have the weights and dimensions shown below.

a) Fin the static axle loads of the truck and trailer when hooked together.
b) Determine the three axle loads when the combination is accelerated by a force of 8200 N
developed at the rear wheels of the truck.
c) The truck is a rear wheel drive. Without the trailer connected, what horizontal pulling force
could it develop if the rear wheels are on a surface with a coefficient of friction, 0.6 ?

Hint: Treat the truck as if it has a horizontal restraint acting at the hitch and take moments.
Remember that Fxr Wr

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