Max Roll Angle? First Time Wheeling.

[JeepfromBMW]

Hit some trails for the first time in my JL Sport 2 Door. So much fun. I had it up to a 20-23 degree roll. Curious how much further I can go before it becomes unsafe/risk of tipping over I’m on stock suspension and all terrains.

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[C.Sco]

I've seen 32 degrees on my display before... it was enough to make my butt pucker, but I have no idea how many more degrees it could've gone before rolling. I'm guessing not many though.

There are other risk factors to consider, too. Besides just the roll angle. The ground surface traction matters (you don't want to start sliding sideways), the rockiness of the terrain (if you're already at max roll angle, one little tiny rock can roll you over), and also the degree of risk if you actually were to roll over (would it sent you off the side of a cliff, or would it just rock your jeep into the side of a tree and scratch your paint?)

When I was at 32 degrees, the risk was relatively minimal, if I had actually rolled my Jeep it would've just flopped over on it's side and laid there like a dead turtle, and probably bang up the Jeep's side pretty good, but not really any serious safety risk. I would not want to be at 32 degrees on the side of a ledge.

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

I’d imagine you wouldn’t want 32 degrees of roll angle on the rubicon or Moab!

 

[TrailScooter]

Mine tends to jump all over the dial. I think it may be broken...

I think my seat belt may have a problem too..

 

[C.Sco]

I’d imagine you wouldn’t want 32 degrees of roll angle on the rubicon or Moab!

It was indeed on the Rubicon, lol! But like I said, it was a spot that wasn't really a particularly high risk if I had rolled, would've just damaged my doors and my pride. But there are definitely lots of other places on that trail where rolling would be deadly (and I'd never, ever let my roll angle get to 32 degrees in those places)

 

[Reinen]

There really isn't an exact number. It all depends on how high your center of gravity (COG) is. That changes with trim options, aftermarket accessories, suspension mods, how you load the vehicle, etc. So there is a wide range.

The one thing I can guarantee, you will be puckering about tipping over long before you actually do. All that roll angle number tells you is that you've either survived this angle before or you're in uncharted territory and who knows.

 

[Ratbert]

The max roll I've hit is 34 degrees. That was one of those "maybe I need a spotter" moments.

 

[JeepfromBMW]

Surprised Jeep doesn’t publish max roll angles by trim level. I guess it would leave them open to too much liability because someone could argue they didn’t know an upgraded wheel/tire or suspension mod would change it.

 

[Terrymo]

Mine was a controlled 30 degrees on a large flat boulder with an experienced spotter.

 

[Apples491]

We didn't think to check the gauge on this one. The only thing that kept him from going over was the rock that wedged itself into his rear fender flare.

 

[Mocopo]

The one thing I can guarantee, you will be puckering about tipping over long before you actually do.

This.
Also, sway bar connected or not will also come into play. But as a general rule, 35 degrees is when you need to start getting worried, especially stock. That said, it's possible to tip before then or after depending on other factors. I try to keep it 30 and below if possible... I hate that feeling. I pride myself on finding the least tippy line possible lol.

 

[NWJeepr]

In Moab, my passengers started to pucker around 20 degrees. I still feel in control into the 20's but I really don't want to find the exact angle where roll becomes likely. And the roll angle can change so quickly with uneven surface. Slow and steady does it.

Pucker factor changes when you're rolling AT a lethal situation too, like off a cliff or into a canyon with no big trees or rocks to stop you.

 

[Ratbert]

Pucker factor changes when you're rolling AT a lethal situation too, like off a cliff or into a canyon with no big trees or rocks to stop you.

Agreed. 20-ish degrees in "a bad spot" at 13k feet in the San Juans can be frightening AF.

 

[Reinen]

Surprised Jeep doesn’t publish max roll angles by trim level. I guess it would leave them open to too much liability because someone could argue they didn’t know an upgraded wheel/tire or suspension mod would change it.

There are way too many variables involved for them to even think about publishing a number. It's not just modifications to the Jeep, it's also terrain.

Be aware that the most common way to roll a Jeep is to have opposite side front/rear tires on high points and have the other front tire dip into a hole or off a ledge (or back tire if you're going in reverse). It doesn't even need to be all that big of a hole or ledge. Once the COG pivots over that diagonal axis, the compressed springs of the two high tires will push the Jeep into a roll. The lower tire's single spring doesn't stand a chance against that momentum and you'll go wheels up.

In that scenario, max roll angle doesn't really matter. You'll be doomed to roll before you reach it.

 

[Ratbert]

Surprised Jeep doesn’t publish max roll angles by trim level. I guess it would leave them open to too much liability because someone could argue they didn’t know an upgraded wheel/tire or suspension mod would change it.

I'm not sure what value it would be to publish that, especially when there are an incredible number of variables involved. The liability when someone has a slightly different weight with slightly less tread on a slightly different surface would be massive.

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