Turning Radius: Fifth Wheel vs. Bumper Pull
Another member posted a question about learning to drive a Class A motorhome and one of the issues that was raised is learning to turn a corner without clipping the curb with the back wheel or hitting...
Forum Discussion
Had a 30' fifth for 4 years, now a 32' TT. Effective length behind the truck has increased by about 5 ft due to differences in hitch point. I find turns are about the same. For turns, stay as far opposite your turn (left for a right turn, right for a left turn) as the lane allows, and pull out partially into the second lane in front of you to make the turn.
When going left from a 4-lane, start from the lane closest to the center line, just keep on the right side of that lane. If not, starting from the other left turn lane, your trailer will cut the corner, potentially crunching someone using the lane on the inside of your turn. As noted, also pay attention to tail swing. Same logic applies to right turns - start from the lane closest to the curb.
The overall watchword is - go slow! Give other drivers time to accommodate you, and you time to see what is going on. Watch semi's making turns, and do as they do! You are a "big rig" now, and most drivers will accommodate you as such. But there are the idiots, hence going slow.....
When going left from a 4-lane, start from the lane closest to the center line, just keep on the right side of that lane. If not, starting from the other left turn lane, your trailer will cut the corner, potentially crunching someone using the lane on the inside of your turn. As noted, also pay attention to tail swing. Same logic applies to right turns - start from the lane closest to the curb.
The overall watchword is - go slow! Give other drivers time to accommodate you, and you time to see what is going on. Watch semi's making turns, and do as they do! You are a "big rig" now, and most drivers will accommodate you as such. But there are the idiots, hence going slow.....
