The rough-road running gear is a special type of running gear developed for vehicles that have to operate on unpaved, difficult or poorly constructed roads. This concept is mainly used in special vehicle construction, where vehicles are optimized for extreme operating conditions. The rough-road design of a chassis with its rough-road equipment forms an essential basis for the off-road capability and durability of a vehicle.
Features of a rough-road chassis
A rough-road chassis is a specially modified chassis designed for use on rough terrain. It is characterized by robust components, increased ground clearance and improved suspension systems. The main task is to keep the vehicle moving safely and efficiently even on difficult surfaces such as gravel tracks, sand, mud or forest paths.
A rough-road chassis has the following typical features:
- Increased ground clearance: Allows you to drive over obstacles such as stones, roots or deep potholes.
- Reinforced suspension and damping: Special suspension systems absorb shocks better and protect the vehicle structure and the load.
- Robust axles and wheel suspensions: These components are particularly resistant to withstand high mechanical loads.
- Adapted tires: Coarser tires with special treads increase traction on loose surfaces.
- Underbody protectionAn essential part of the off-road equipment that protects important vehicle parts such as the engine, transmission or fuel lines from damage.
Poor track design: Modular design for special requirements
In addition to the rough-road chassis, the rough-road version of a vehicle includes other technical and structural modifications. These include, for example
- Torsion-resistant body: The vehicle body is designed to withstand the stresses of extremely uneven terrain.
- Reinforced frame constructions: This is important for special vehicles such as ambulances or military vehicles.
- Off-road equipment: This includes additional systems such as all-wheel drive, limited slip differentials, off-road reduction and hill descent aids.
Bad road equipment = flexibility for different areas of application
The bad road equipment is a collective term for all additional equipment that a vehicle requires for use on poor surfaces. In addition to the rough-road running gear, this can also include the following elements:
- Hydraulic height systems: Enable flexible adjustment of the ground clearance.
- All-terrain tires: For maximum traction and driving stability.
- Additional lighting: spotlights or light bars to help in poor visibility conditions.
- Winch and recovery equipment: Important aids for vehicles that have to extricate themselves from difficult situations.
Areas of application and advantages
A rough-road undercarriage and the associated rough-road version are used in a wide variety of areas:
- Military vehicles: High mobility on a wide variety of terrain.
- Rescue vehiclesAccess to remote or hard-to-reach locations.
- Expedition vehicles: For traveling in remote areas without paved roads.
- Forestry and agricultural machinery: Operation in fields, forests or on muddy paths.
- Construction and mining vehicles: Use on uneven construction sites or in open-cast mines.
The advantages of a rough-road chassis are significantly increased off-road mobility, protection against wear and damage and a longer vehicle service life, even under intensive loads.
The rough-road chassis, supplemented by the rough-road version and suitable rough-road equipment, is a key element in special vehicle construction. It ensures that vehicles function reliably even under extreme conditions. Thanks to their modular design, rough-road vehicles can be individually adapted to their area of application, making them indispensable for numerous professional and private applications. As a leading company in special vehicle construction, Norrenbrock Technik GmbH designs and builds special vehicles with rough-road undercarriages, among other things.