Tight turn across narrow culvert?

I'm in a similar situation backing into my driveway. Narrow street with deep ditches on both sides.

I come at it from the other direction so I can see my trailer tires from the drivers window.

I have my driveway on the driver side. As I approach I literally drive my driver side front tire a little bit onto my driveway as I'm passing it. Once my rear trailer axle reaches the far side of the driveway I cut the steering wheel hard right until the passenger front tire reaches the edge of the pavement.

While still rolling forward slowly, turn steering wheel left to follow the pavement edge until the rear trailer axle goes just past near side of driveway. Put it in reverse, cut the steering wheel all the way right and follow the trailer up the driveway.

Easier said than done, I know. I was freaking out the first 10 times I did it but now I don't even think about it. It just takes practice and confidence.

On Edit: I didn't see backing in was not an option until I wrote all that. Never Mind

Sjm9911 wrote:
Is it your driveway? Just span it with a steel plate? Obviously suport that plate.

Thanks Sjm9911. I had not thought about that. There is a very large highway contractor where I live. I'll discuss options with them.

Thanks again!

Thanks for the suggestions and even the criticism....I'm married, I can handle it!!

Backing is not an option due to other obstacles.

This is a private road. Not certain how the other 8 residents would feel about having their only egress blocked for half of a day eventhough the end results would be an improvement for all. It is a poor rural area, so getting help on the cost is not likely. I checked with a grading company. They said it is not a very long process to get county approval. But said $4-8K...he would need to look at it.

I think that pulling partially in then backing a couple of times might cut the turn radius down enough.

The steel idea is a good one!! I was a GC for many years and have seen properly supported steel used often for heavy construction equipment. It is often used in road construction with 18 wheelers running over it. Only issue is the weight and putting it in place.



Thanks again!

cummins2014 wrote:

Gooma wrote:
No desire to extend the culvert, but willing to chance damage to truck or RV using a temporary bridge?

Nothing here helps the OP , they didn’t ask for criticism.

Extending the drive seems the best solution.

Sometimes pointing out how someone is being silly forces them to reassess...so yes, it is helpful if the OP is open to considering reasonable options.

JRscooby wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Backing into the drive might be easier or might not but you don't want to find out the hard way.

Backing in would be a way, but the short rig the OP is dealing with should not be necessary

That's basically what I suggested but without more details, we don't know if it's possible or necessary only that the OP is having difficulty.

That amount and size of plywood will snap as soon as you put load on it.

Not going to speculate on what you should do as I am not there to assess the conditions.

Back in.

Gooma wrote:
No desire to extend the culvert, but willing to chance damage to truck or RV using a temporary bridge?

Nothing here helps the OP , they didn’t ask for criticism.

Extending the drive seems the best solution.

Without seeing it I would think you could work it into the drive with some careful back and forth. I could back my 34' 5er into my narrow driveway from my also narrow street. Not easy, but doable. And I did not have a culvert to worry about. If you do not feel good about your backing, try to find someone who is better.

BUT. Either way, have a spotter and move very slowing. If you get too near the edge, stop and start over. I saw someone drop their 5er off a culvert at a campground we were at several years ago. Not pretty. Had to have a heavy duty wrecker come in, lift the rear of the trailer, and hold it up as both backed out of the situation. Some damage to the bottom of the trailer.

If a one time thing, then give it a try. Otherwise do it right and extend the culvert.

I agree with valhalla360. If OP cannot turn in and make the cut, backing in would work better as you can cut the corner sharper. Just remember that puts added stress on the tires. Not to mention a possible traffic flagger. Best option would be to extend the culvert like others have mentioned.