<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H2Finally:
Para, why must it rotate? I was thinking more like what CP described -- a stationary "ramp" with the pallet wheels in them, to glide-over and pick-up the rear diff over the rock (with a little momemtum). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Well, my first reaction would be durability. Having some types of small wheels mean that there would be some small axles. Conceiveably, half the weight of the truck could come to rest on one of the wheels. Also, ground rock and debri would gather up and around the wheel.
My reasoning behind something moving was the same idea as the wheel. To reduce friction. The idea that was in my head had a "foot" that was flat on bottom but rounded up to vertical. When contacting the rock the movement would allow frictionless travel over the rock until the "plate" hit a stop. Then it acts as an ordinary skid plate and will drag the rest of the way. But this will help keep the rear end from hanging up and probably further help you to high-center on the rear end.
In my rambling thoughts about our UCP I often wonder if the best solution would not be a network of front-to-back I-Beam shaped pieces tied together horizontally for twisting stability. I don't know of any stock metal that could be used, though. It would have to be some custom extrusion, I would guess.
The pieces could be bolted together so that when you destroy one or two sections, you could easily buy the individual lengths and replace only what was need. Obviously, once it was damaged, there wouldn't be any straightening it or anything.
Actually, with further thought it could be a modular thing and applicable to any vehicle