Tandem placement and turning radius

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by expedite_it, Jan 22, 2022.

  1. MAMservices

    MAMservices Medium Load Member

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    “Never wallow in the mud with a pig, because the pig likes it.”
     
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  3. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    I used your photograph in post #45 on this thread and a ruler and some algebra mathematics to calculate the forward space to the south in front of the guard shack at Westrock in Stevenson, AL. When I am talking about forward space to the South in the photograph, the South means the bottom of your photograph, not the direction south on a compass. I used a ruler to measure the length of the tractor-trailer on my computer monitor. The length of the tractor-trailer in the entrance lane in the photograph is 1.5 inches on my computer monitor. I estimated the tractor-trailer to be approximately 70 feet long. Then I measured the forward space to the South in that photograph from the exit (lined up with the guard shack) all the way to the curb. The forward space to the South from the exit to the curb was 2.5 inches.

    Then I used algebra to calculate the forward space from the exit to the curb. The forward space from the exit to the curb is just under 117 feet. But there was a line of trucks taking up part of the forward space to the south. I estimate that line of trucks would remove about 12 feet of forward space. So I had approximately 105 feet of forward space to the South.

    here is a photograph of the mathematics:

    Math showing forward space to the south.jpg

    105 feet is not that much! I didn't have all that much space to the SOuth. I don't think I had enough space to do it all without a back before I moved forward through the entrance gate.
     
  4. Wasted Thyme

    Wasted Thyme Road Train Member

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    Might want to also use the picture in 49. Your drop yard is up in the right corner. See your road and the nice big area to turn around about 100 yds away from where you were trying to do it?

    So my post is still correct. Nose around where the red truck is or drive back down 100 yds and turn around where space is not an issue.
     
  5. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    What area 100 yards away from the guard shack are you talking about specifically? Do you mean the open area that is right next to the letter k in the word Westrock in the photo on post #49? Do you mean the big open area of loading docks at the big building (north of the big building) right in the center of the photograph?

    Probably the quickest way to go from the exit gate to the entrance gate would be to do what MACK E-6 suggested in post #41. But it was my first time to attempt to drive from the exit gate to the entrance gate at Westrock in Stevenson. I didn't have the benefit of hindsight.

    But I admit that, yes, it probably would have been quicker to drive approximately 100 yards down the road to one of those open areas to turn around than to do it the way that I did it. Why do I use the word "probably"? I don't know how "open" those areas were when I was there.

    In post #50, I initially argued with your comment because I thought (erroneously) that you were saying that there was over 100 yards of space for me to use to maneuver right next to the guard shack. But you were not saying that. You were saying to travel down the narrow road to a different open area.
     
  6. loudtom

    loudtom Road Train Member

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    If you can get the tractor past the gate, turn right immediately and have the trailer enter at a different angle.

    The turning radius is better with the tandems slid forward. Tail swing is an issue if you start your maneuver next to an obstacle, or if you're able to drive straight long enough for the trailer tires to get close. If you came from the exit, it's unlikely that it would be an issue. If you reset your trailer and backed it along the grass side, then I would be careful with it.
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2022
  7. Lostmykey

    Lostmykey Medium Load Member

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    When #### gets tight, you get tight (with the tandems).

    I also know a drop lot where the guards tell you to shove the tandems up the ### and drive in oncoming traffic lane to make the turn into the lot. After successfully making the turn, they then make you stretch back out before raising the gate…

    The problem is, I find the drop lot pretty tight and unless I’m worried about tail swing, I prefer backing with the tandems not all the way back. I’ve had to tighten up when parking at a ts before. So when I get out of sight of the guards, I slide the tandems forward again. Once I’m in the spot, to the back they go.

    I enjoy the exercise.
     
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  8. InTooDeep

    InTooDeep Donner party survivor

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    Out because yep:biggrin_25513:
     
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  9. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    The farther back your trailer tandems are, the larger the radius of the U-turn and the less tailswing. The more forward your tandems are set the smaller the radius, but the more tailswing you have.
     
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  10. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    Since I was turning to the left in the U-turn described in the OP, the rear of the trailer must have swung to the right when I slid the tandems forward and drive forward into the drop lot. Which factor made it so that I was able to finally get the rear of the trailer past the guard shack after I slid the tandems forward, the trailer swing to the right or the fact that there was less off-tracking with the tandems slid forward or both?
     
  11. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    Good lord…sliding your tandems ahead makes it akin to pulling a shorter trailer. The same with any trailer, once the tires get past the obstacle you’re good to go. The tail of the trailer swinging the opposite way had nothing to do with you missing the guard shack.

    Its the same reason why spread axles have a dump on the back axle. Shorten the turning radius and make it easier to get around with. It’s not rocket science, it’s driving a truck.
     
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