Obviously how high you place the pan affects the handling and stability. So here's some theory:

Placing the pan above where the truck pivots will cause it to lean over and into the corner. As the distance between the edge of the pan and the pivot is longer than if the pan were level with the pivot you will also have more leverage on the board making it turn in quicker and harder, also helping this will be the higher centre of gravity. On the down side the board will be inherently unstable, so on straights at speed it will be prone to wobbles and will take more effort to keep control of.

Placing the pan below the pivot will cause the board to lean up and away from the inside of a corner, a "Swingboat" effect. Again the edge of the pan is further from the pivot than in the level position, however as the pan needs to move down and away from the corner more, rather than less effort is needed to turn the board. This makes the board less responsive and harder to turn, but more stable so on long fast straights.

Having the pan at the same level as the pivot is obviously a compromise between the above two. You don't have to fight the board to turn as it leans into the corner, but isn't as unstable on the straights.

Enough of theory, because when it comes down to it we are only talking a matter of one or two inches. This also doesn't take the rider into account, a Luge is only a few inches tall, put a rider on it and it's height (and thus centre of gravity) is increased by a massive percentage (more massive in some cases than others). This is what really causes the board to be unstable.

Placing the pan about level with the axle is probably about right. It stops the board from being naturally unstable, gives you a good ground clearance and keeps the flow of air under the board as undisturbed as possible.

You can always add/remove risers to adjust if you see fit, but you probably won't need to.

Joel

Original Thread:
UKGSA Forum Topic: Body Pan Question