Steady-State Handling of Three-Wheeled All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

This paper describes the steady-state handling characteristics of three-wheeled All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). A mathematical model, called the trim model which is based on the balance of forces and moments, has been developed for the dynamic analysis of the ATVs under steady, constant-radius turns. A numerical technique known as the continuation method has been used to solve the nonlinear simultaneous equations derived from the trim model. It is shown that the handling characteristics of an ATV are very different from those of an automobile. An ATV has a tendency to tip over under tight radius turns and should be handled with care. We believe that the results of this study can be used to design an ATV with improved handling characteristics.