Turning pivot points for 40’ RV class A

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.

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.

Check Youtube, there are videos that show how to determine your pivot point.

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.

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.

rk911 wrote:
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.

I can't disagree with this idea. If you already have the cones, great. But if you need to buy, buckets are much more useful after you get the maneuvering figured out.

Or even empty cardboard boxes!

I know I will be put down for saying this...but I am going to say it anyway...I feel that anyone that drives a class A should have at least a class B CDL...this would insure the driver that they know what they are doing & make them more confident about driving something new to them...OK time put me down for my thoughts.

As I instructed all the new school bus drivers I trained. Take all the real estate you are allowed by law.
Biggest thing is to square your turns, drive as far forward as you can before you turn giving as much room for the duallies to clear the curb or obstacle. ALWAYS watch your mirrors to ensure all is well.
Mirrors are critical, they tell the story.

I will jump on this band wagon and agree with all others, practice, practice, practice. Its the best tool. I think Mommalu hit it on the head!

I find with my tow dolly ( i am sure 4 down will be the same) you need more turning room so you do not run over the curb. Its in the mirrors, they tell the story. I learned alot about turning watching how truck drivers handle the turns, bus drivers are another one to watch.

Good Luck and enjoy