Vibration dampening and driving a vehicle off road
Mon, 09/22/2008 - 7:04pm
Any suggestions for minimizing the effects of vibration in a motor vehicle for a client whose symptoms become aggravated (neck, low back, shoulder) when driving on dirt roads to the worksite? Thank you.
Tue, 09/23/2008 - 11:37am
#2
Vibration dampening and driving a vehicle off road
Larger tires (including taller sidewalls), heavier vehicle (go from a Ranger to a Navigator) and/or weigting the vehicle, decreased tire pressure, slower driving :) and evaluating the positioning of the driver in the vehicle may help. Conversly, if the vehicle is fully/overloaded, lightening the vehicle may help. You may also try a padded seat cushion and support/padding under the arms.
What may help specifically would depend upon the type of terrain driven upon-in some cases, speeding up can minimize/eliminate vibration felt by the driver on "washboarded" roads. However, if we are talking about whooptydoos, speeding up is not the answer in a highway vehicle. You may conduct a test with the evaluee and a variety of company vehicles at the same safe speed on the same road-if available. Another option may be to consult with a local 4X4 shop in the area.
Thank you Jim. All great suggestions that I will follow up on.