Forum Discussion

2014winniejounr's avatar
Sep 06, 2020

Turning pivot points for 40’ RV class A

2014 Winnebago Journey 39K
Need pivot points for my RV first time class A driver
Right hand turn
Left hand turn
Back into drive way
With tow dinghy rh and lh turn - 2016 Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk

15 Replies

  • With any vehicle, the center point of a turn will be in line with the back axle. If you have a tag axle, that's a little bit ill-defined, granted, but it'll probably end up being close to the main rear axle since it carries more of the weight.

    A little thought will show you why this is the case. Each wheel, at any given moment in time, must be traveling in a direction perpendicular to its axle or else it's skidding to the side. When turning, assuming a constant turn (driving in a circular arc), all the wheels must be traveling tangentally to a circle centered at the center point of the circle you're traveling in--albeit at a somewhat different radius for each one--with the axis of each one perpendicular to that and so aligned with a radius of the circle. The front steer wheels of course don't each have their respective axis aligned with the front axle, but rather swiveled so that each one will intersect with a line extended from the rear axle at a single common point, the center point of the turn.

    As others have said, how this works out in practical terms and how to judge things from the driver's seat is best worked out by practice and experience. There's no shame in getting out and looking, and doing so repeatedly if needed; it certainly beats failing to do so when you needed to.
  • experience is the best teacher. get some orange cones at your home supply store, set them up in an empty parking and practice your turns.
  • Check Youtube, there are videos that show how to determine your pivot point.
  • Best to just start driving, and make turns much wider than you think in the beginning. If you can get to a big parking lot, you can practice there. Nothing beats time behind the wheel.
  • I drive all lengths of motorhomes at work and I just go around half way into the second lane on a right turn and the back tires clear fine. Sounds like you just need to get out and drive and gain some experience points. Just keep an eye on your back tires going through the turn. Lasydays RV has training videos for you to watch.