Monster Jam was in town this weekend, we took the kids and some family members and a good time was had by all.

But during one particular stunt, I could not help but question whether or not these monster trucks employee a little extra help to pull off these stunts.

I watched a driver get his truck tipped up on his nose / front tires. Then move forward, while balancing on his front tires for about 100 feet. Then he came to a stop, reversed and moved back from the direction he came, for about 100 feet. All while balancing on his front tires.

I understand the surface area of these tires is massive. I understand they use super low tire pressure, which would also make balancing easier. But it's still a vehicle, balanced on two tires. Moving in one direction, and then another.

Even with super human throttle and brake control, is this possible without a gyro?

I'm going to guess the gyroscope is sitting behind the wheel.

Generally it's because someone is holding the drivers beer during the stunts which helps with balance control....

Not to my knowledge.

quote:

Originally posted by holdem:
Even with super human throttle and brake control, is this possible without a gyro?

Never driven a monster truck, but having done wheelies & nose-ies on 4 & 2 wheels, I can say it's possible. You'll just end up on your head sometimes, just as monster trucks do. The direction changes are impressive if you've ever tried to drive on 1/2 your wheels (intentionally).
My 5yo is into monster trucks, so we watch about 2hrs a week on TV. I haven't seen much cutting edge tech in the setups. That doesn't exclude something like a gyro or tilt sensor, but I'm not sure how they'd implement control on the driveline. Practicing with a wheelie bar connected for hours to find the balance point is probably the answer.

I didn't know my wife when I was riding a lot. I took her to a Supercross just after we were married. She was shocked at how high & far they went on the triples. I laughed - high & far is easy, it's the landing that can bone you. Landing off center, while on the brakes to slide inside & make a pass is more impressive. And potentially painfull.

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:
I'm going to guess the gyroscope is sitting behind the wheel.

Yep. Gas and brake and years of practice.

Agree. It's all with the driver.

flashguy

Yep. Those little hairs and fluid in the inner ear. That's it. How does one train to do monster truck stunts? Is there a spotter? A sacrificial dummy monster truck with training wheels?

Wait until you see a guy do the same thing in a loader or excavator.

Pretty talented operators out there.

Watch a experienced bob cat type vehicle doing 2 wheel ballet dance moves... The gyroscope is between the ears of the driver... drill sgt.

It is all driver knowing his truck and what it can do. I think practice with the skins off just cage.

It is possible that they might have an inclinometer as part of their instrumentation, similar to that of a helicopter. But I can't say for sure.

BTW, the first-generation Mitsubishi Montero had an inclinometer on the dash. I've never seen a car before or since so equipped.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
BTW, the first-generation Mitsubishi Montero had an inclinometer on the dash. I've never seen a car before or since so equipped.

My '20 Tacoma has an inclinometer, but it's a part of the electronics package, not a dedicated dash gauge.

It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that someone else is operating the rear steering and or brakes

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that someone else is operating the rear steering and or brakes

Lol what?

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that someone else is operating the rear steering and or brakes

Lol what?

I have often wondered exactly what the controls look like? I have seen the trucks seemingly be doing one thing with the back tires, another with the front tires, turning one direction with the front, another with the back, etc.

It almost seemed to me that they would need a control for each appendage to control each wheel / tire independently, both the direction of travel and the direction of steering.

Regardless, what they do is freaking impressive. And then to do it while flying through the air and bouncing around? It bogles my mind.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that someone else is operating the rear steering and or brakes

I once saw Grave Digger in the outer Banks of NC. They drove the truck across the sound and back. They let kids and adults sit in it and take pics. There’s no special stuff inside. Literally a seat with a five point harness and a steering wheel. One of the mechanics said the back wheels turn opposite of the fronts to help sharp turns. IIRC it’s just south of Grandy NC

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that someone else is operating the rear steering and or brakes

Lol what?

We can send a flying unmanned phone booth 1000 miles
And shoot a missle down a chimney ,

I am pretty sure there can be a kid over in the corner with a brake button or a steering toggle.

I don't think they are using that tech,
But it wouldn't surprise me.

The show would lose a great deal of appeal when it goes full remote control

It wouldn’t surprise me if they were using some type of gyro. RC airplanes, trucks and cars have been using them for a long time with excellent results.

In fact if they are not using them in full size monster trucks it’s because they are probably illegal.