Can You Flip a Car Alone?

Have you heard stories about people flipping cars onto the latter’s back? Perhaps you’ve seen videos or even attended strongman competitions to watch big, burly athletes topple vehicles. But how realistic are these stories and feats? Can an individual flip a car over?

Can One Person Flip a Car By Themselves?

Flipping a car by yourself isn’t impossible, but it isn’t easy, either. Unless you meet the criteria, it’s not recommended to try flipping cars outside of emergencies.

Still, certain people have been able to pull it off. Usually, these people are strongmen.

How Can a Strongman Flip Cars?

Strongman refers to the competitive strength sport where athletes compete in various events and heavy lifts that push participants to the limits of their bodies and minds. Men who participate in this sport are also called strongmen; women athletes are called strongwomen.

One of the highlights of strongman competitions is the car flipping event. In this event, participants topple cars onto the side or even the back. Some versions call for each contestant to flip one car and score each according to parameters like speed and form. Others try to flip as many cars as possible within a time limit.

The following are the factors that enable strongmen to lift and flip cars:

Powerlifter Physique

Strongmen train as powerlifters. A powerlifter develops and trains their body to lift and carry heavy weights. A good example is Ed Coan, widely considered the greatest powerlifter of all time because of his many championships and world records. Powerlifters have the strength to flip cars, although brute force isn’t the only requirement.

Powerlifters shouldn’t be mistaken for bodybuilders. While a powerlifter exercises to gain immense physical strength, a bodybuilder generally works out to make their physique look big and good. Think Arnold Schwarzenegger back in his prime. Bodybuilders are stronger than ordinary people, but they’re weaker than powerlifters.

Compact Cars

The most common type of vehicle featured in car flipping events are compact cars. Compacts like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla weigh anywhere between 2,500 and 3,000 pounds, putting them on the lighter end of the spectrum..

While compact cars aren’t so light that anyone can lift them, they’re lighter than most vehicles. It’s easier for a strongman to flip a Toyota Corolla than a Ford F-150.

Adding Rock Sliders and Side Steps to Provide Handholds

If you watch videos of strongman contests, you might notice that the vehicles in car flipping contests are almost never stock machines. They’ve usually been modified for safety and easier lifting.

Most cars in car flipping contests have either rock sliders or side steps under their doors. The off-road accessories serve as convenient handles for strongmen who intend to lift and flip the vehicle.

Rock sliders and side steps are safer to grip than the underside of the car. They have few or no edges, and they might also have high-friction surface coatings that reduce the chances of slipping.

If the car doesn’t have rock sliders or side steps, the strongman competition’s staff will usually install them before the car flipping event.

Flimsy Parts Removed

In addition to adding car accessories that make the strongman’s task easier, the car flipping event’s staff will remove parts that might break or detach during the action.

If a fragile component falls off the car, it might hit the strongman, causing potentially severe injuries. Even a part that doesn’t directly hit the competitor can pose a danger if it breaks apart upon hitting the ground, sending debris flying everywhere. And if the broken component distracts the strongman, it can cause an accident.

Some Heavy Parts Removed

The strongman competition’s staff might also remove heavy parts to reduce the car’s weight and keep the competitor safe while flipping the vehicle. These dense parts include the drive axles, engine, and transmission.

Car Flipping Tips and Tricks

The following are critical criteria for people who plan to flip cars on their own:

Light Vehicles Are Easier To Flip

The lighter the vehicle, the more easily strongmen can move it, such as tipping it onto its side and roof. Subcompact and compact cars are easier to flip because their weight doesn’t exceed 3,000 lbs.

Taller Vehicles Are Easier To Flip

A tall car, such as a compact SUV, is also more liable to tip over. Its center of gravity is located higher, making it less stable. If the tall vehicle leans too much left or right, it can topple.

Lifted Vehicles Are Easier To Flip

Like tall vehicles, lifted vehicles also have a high center of gravity. It’s easier to flip over a vehicle with a high lift kit.

Follow the Experts

Strongmen follow a tried-and-tested approach to flipping cars safely and effectively. First, the participant squats down at the vehicle’s side, facing in the general direction of the center of gravity. Next, he grabs the bottom of the car, gripping the rock sliders or side steps.

Once the strongman firmly holds the car, he lifts it. However, he doesn’t raise the vehicle all the way. What he does is drop the car, letting the tires hit the ground. The car bounces because of its coil springs.

The strongman repeatedly bounces the car to build up momentum. Once he gets enough momentum, he rapidly lifts the vehicle, seeking to drop it onto its side.

At this point, the strongman acts as fast as he can to keep the vehicle’s momentum going until it finally rolls off its side onto its roof. 

Just because someone can flip a car on their own doesn’t mean you should try it. Even if you meet all the criteria, it’s best to call for help and find another way.