G Forces and Transporting a Sensitive Equipment Trailer

I don't know much about the G forces, but do know that the biggest two methods of reducing them are to drive slower, and use a vehicle with air suspension - these cushion the blows more gently, and work outwith their resonant frequencies.

A truck with springs can become unstable on quite smooth but undulating roads, if the speed matches the resonance of the springs, even with good dampers.

The other thing I would reccommend is that all units are built from the floor up, so that there are no hanging units, as these will be subjected to much greater forces. Use struts across the top to keep opposite units apart.

contact Boeing, the deltaII rocket is regurly shipped via truck to florida and california. A g-meter is always included on the transport and down loaded after arrivial.4gs is alot of force on a 12,000 rocket. Airide suspension and slow speeds are essential.

Thanks to both for great suggestions. I came in to the project late and pointed to everything and said "That will fall, those will fall, that's not going to live . . . etc". Had I been around during the feasibility study I suppose I'd build a skid and float the container on large marine engine springs, or air bags, with mechnical limits buffered by elastomers, and keep the CG low. I've also mounted instruments on large heavy inertia plates before, rubber monted, to dampen the vibes. The 'drive slow' and 'air ride suggestions' are perfect, however, some trucks in 3rd worlds are lucky to have wheels . . . we can't always choose the truck and ride along with the driver. I've seen pot holes so deep and scattered that you crawl a Land Cruiser along and hang one front wheel and one rear wheel. For sure there will be no "Drive Slow" rules with drivers . . . I can't even get my kids to do that. What is slow to a person making one chicken per day wages who is measured by if he arrives on time ? Thanks.

If your equipment is as fragile and expensive as you say, it may be better to take your own vehicle with you - even a second-hand truck with air suspension, and then leave it behind.

You can expect to see shock loads exceeding 10G.

Chopper it in.

Or, package all the instruments separately and assemble the unit on site.

Rather than a SWAG at vibration levels, do a search for MIL-STD-810E.

Look at the section "Transportation Vibration".

Your tax dollars hard at work (for a change).