Mathematical/engineering question...sorry

jimberlake

jimberlake

0
Hi all, here's a test for you and will understand if I get no answers:D. Though ith some great engineers on here there may be some ideas knocking around as I've racked my brain for weeks.

I've got a spacevan on it's way...the commer is 75 inches wide and my drive is 82 inches wide and 13 metres until it opens up wider but not enough to turn it around. So you see the problem, I need some system to guide it up and get it back down. Was thinking a channel but sods law the commer has different tracks front and rear so would be a lot of metal to create 2x wide tracks all the way up and also very heavy to move

Got thinking of two 13 metre lengths of angle iron only bolted to the driveway(new drive being put down that could fit in-between the tracks I.e. Outside of the front tyres and inside the rear tyres, this would keep her straight all the way. These are the measurements:

48 - front track
55.5 - rear track
15/80/185 - tyres

I guess I would need to space the wheels out at the back to create this gap between the tyre tracks but by how much...I got 1.5 inches but think I may have messed up. Without a van here I'm struggling to be able to physically measure. Or if anyone has a better idea for a light moveable way of guiding the van up the drive I'd love to hear.

Sure there's some genius' out there that can get something money cant buy, upping their reputation...much like Egg Heads :D


Hope this all makes sense, quite tough to write the problem down well.

Thanks everyone in advance

Jim
 
You have a 3" gap yoy wont fit through
So very carfully drive up the gap
presuming you have rear doors??
Get out the back a lock it up bobs your uncle!

Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
 
Sorry, widens at the top so can get out ok, problem is that may drive it up but won't be able to get back down. 3.5 inch each side is impossible to reverse without scraping it and without mirrors on...40 foot brick wall each side. need a guide rail of some sort.
 
Knock the walls down! :D

th_CommerWanderer001.jpg


'I intend to live forever - so far, so good'
 
You could try something like the dambusters used

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Or use a small laser sight ;)

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"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
 
Now then Jim you don't live all that far away and as I used to be a driving instructor in the fire brigade I would be more than willing to give you some driving lessons in reversing and that's your problem solved. Either that or take a big hammer and knock the wall down and make the house about 18 inches narrower. Just ignore the wife if she starts complaining because you can always sleep in the commer until the divorce comes through. Seriously, my drive is fairly narrow and I measured from the drivers side to the wall and painted a line that I had to follow when reversing in, with the VW, sorry everyone but I had to try one. Maybe when I fetch Lulu home I will have to do the same again, as it worked for me.
 
how about a winch at the house end of the drive - and spring loaded rubber rollers along the wall rather than rails on the floor. Get out hook the winch up and watch your commer get dragged up the drive

The Dog is home....
0049.gif

http:www.singleusemedical.co.uk
my new business
 
Use a system like the guided buses. High kerbs down each side, at the edge of the drive. Have a guide wheel either side of the van, at the front, attached to the steering. The van steers itself down the drive......Simples :)

http://www.commervanspares.co.uk/

http://www.yorkshireclassiccampers.co.uk/
 
You say the drive widens out once youre in...by how much? ...if theres enough room, build a drive-on turntable like in thomas the tank engine:D:D

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''COMMER'EnSayThat''
 
or buy a crane and lift it in - are we getting silly yet?

The Dog is home....
0049.gif

http:www.singleusemedical.co.uk
my new business
 
Just lean out the driver's window and make sure there's just an inch or two between the driver's side and the wall, that way you know you've got enough room the other side.

BazRockscropped.jpg
I am not a person, I am a number, 395 actually......Be seeing you!
If I told you I was a pathological liar, would you believe me?
 
I should have offered a prize for the best sensible answer (Martin) and the funniest (Barnes 'Commer' Wallace) :).

Martin, yours would have maybe worked however added complication of a gas pipe running up one wall - £1000+ for the gas board to move it apparently - robbery.

So no one took on the maths challenge on the track width and a rail running in between the two tyres...disappointed :)
 
Martin's idea of a high kerb would be the best method, you could quite easily keep the front in line with a marker sticking out of the drivers door just below where the mirror sits - maybe a modified flexible car ariel that touches the wall before the side of the van would. The gas pipe is going to reduce your clearance even more[V] but you could always build the kerb around it by putting a slot in the back of the kerbstone.
I don't think angle iron guides would work unles you used 4" at least, it would be possible to acidentally drive over anything lower[xx(]

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How refreshing
 
quote:
Originally posted by bazzateer

Just lean out the driver's window and make sure there's just an inch or two between the driver's side and the wall, that way you know you've got enough room the other side.

BazRockscropped.jpg
I am not a person, I am a number, 395 actually......Be seeing you!
If I told you I was a pathological liar, would you believe me?




And scrape the top off yer head:)

th_IMAG0033.jpg

How refreshing
 
OR

Cut a slot down the centre of the driveway (or fix a pair of tracks/rails), fit a removable guide pin to the centre of the van front and back.

This started as a silly idea based on scalextric, but maybe it could work. The same principle is used in amusement parks for children's rides.

th_CommerWanderer001.jpg


'I intend to live forever - so far, so good'
 
Yes Tim, that explains it better, assuming, of course, that P = the sum of q over t. ;)

th_CommerWanderer001.jpg


'I intend to live forever - so far, so good'
 
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