Radius for a u-turn for a 75' tractor trailer

I have done a complete U-turn on a 4-lane city street in down-town Philly (T-2000 and 53ft). Scared the B-jeezzus out of two city cops I just asked directions from. They gave me a "Red-Light" escort to my destination.....lol

 

Generally, for a modern streamlined tractor (like a Centry, Columbia, Volvo, etc) it takes about 5 lanes with a 53' trailer set for CA 40' kingpin. If Classic FL or Ultra Pete, etc, will take about 6 lanes to U-turn. And, some luck if caught doing in certain states (altho never stopped me!). The urgency of the situation dictates the actual move...heh heh

 

There have been a few occasions my stomach turned knots. Wondering if a tire is going to peel off while knowing there isn't many, if any, other options can be unnerving.

 

I pulled a u'ey in the middle of town somewhere in NC. I realized I went north when I shoulda went south. Started noticing a larger city coming up where there shouldn't have been one.. saw a center crossover in the divided 4 lanes. Had a break in the cars going both ways.. so I just started cuttin that big pete around. Started from the northbound granny lane and ended up slighly on the shoulder of the southbound granny lane. Didn't slow up too much, tires howling, draggin the rears on the spreads of that skateboard. Wouldn't advise all of that but I was in a hurry. Ova....

 

We have 70' from the side of our building to the fence and I can u-turn a 53' with a tandem daycab in a single motion to the left. To the right, I'd have to pay more attention to whether the stack would hit the trailer, but I usually try to make any tight turns to the left. In most cases, it's probably more a matter of how tight the tractor can turn than how long the trailer is. A long wheel base highway tractor isn't going to turn any quicker with a 28' pup than it will with a 53' van.

 

Umm ... a Classic FL and 53' can be turned in a small residential cul-de-sac. DAMHIK.

 

If you where in an empty loto your answer would be approx.or 5040sqf. Or an area dimention of 80ft X 63ft.

 

What you need and what is reasonable are to different measurements.

Are you trying to figure out how much space you need to set up your reviving lot? If this is the case here's a couple of tips.

I'd say it could be done in an 80x80 lot clear of all obstacles for most trucks, but I've never actually measured. 80x80 never really ends up being 80x80 though because there will always be a stack of pallets or some other junk in the way.

Now don't forget about the moron factor, even with ample room your going to have someone come in and pull a Homer Simpson, tearing down your fence or hitting something. So the more room you can make the better it will be for you.

 

i turned one around in two lanes once. oh wait ice was involved lol.