Trans Am Still

^ The biggest limiting factor on most trucks are the cab extenders, the aerodynamic fairings that extend past the cab. You often see trucks with the cab extenders bent (pushed inward), the driver turned it past the limit. It depends on the model of truck and a lot on where the 5th wheel adjustment is set to know how far you can turn.

All of TransAm trailers have yellow dots, on the side body of the trailer, both sides. If you can see a yellow dot in your mirror, you are ok. That limit is at around maybe a 65-70 degree angle or so, but I have gotten in a jam, more than once and very slowly, after getting out to look that I was clear, not going to bend a cab extender, I have taken it to 90 degrees. I probably could have taken it past 90 but never had any reason to try.

When hooking up to a trailer you want to be close to straight so the 5th wheel locks in properly. When dropping a trailer, hooking up also for that matter, you don't want to be at too much of an angle so you don't put too much side pressure and knock it over sideways. I guess if you have some way of knowing it would be stable, there is not a problem dropping and driving away at an angle, just as long as you know u won't accidently topple it over with sideways pressure.

 

Thanks Passport , good info. I have been thinking about this for a while now.

 

^ You're welcome. Oh, also one other thing to consider, with our automatic transmissions, if you are moving a heavly loaded trailer and you try to turn at too great of an angle, it will bind up. Dragging trailer wheels sideways instead of straight as they are designed to move. An overload on the engine, you can stall or start bouncing around. Can be a problem if you are trying to make a fine move in a tight space, forward or back, to have the truck bouncing around like a bucking bronco because you are approaching at too extreme of an angle.

I am out of the 680 and back in an older 660. I don't mind it, this one seems like a solid truck. They did try to give me a T-700 at first, gave me the keys, permit book, etc. but it turned out it was not on the yard but instead at the KW dealership in K.C. having some work done. They say this 660 is only temporary, they will call me back in to take the T-700 when it is ready. Either is fine by me.

 

I have seen video's of trucks bouncing around like that all bound up and that is what made me wonder how sharp you could turn these things.

What year is the 660 , are they smaller than the 680 and 700 ? If I go with TA I would want a truck with room for the wife also as she will be traveling with me at all times.
Is one of these trucks a better option for a couple and I wonder if TA would give me the truck that works best for a couple or will they just give me whatever they want or have ?

 

Haha I like that , I will never come to my senses

 

^ Yeah, you want a T-700 or 680 if you will be with your wife, they are bigger, both longer and wider. The 660 is a better truck to drive and do the job in. T-700, 680 a better truck to live in.

T-700, 680 have better headlights, larger one piece windshield and better back half of the cabin. The sleeper is both bigger and better designed. The 660 is better in all other ways. Just IMHO.

 

Gang, just finished up my final at Fort Mill SC at US Foods. Gotta wait another hour to send in my empty call as I am still on my break. It will be a short day today as I am bumping my 70. 7:40 to drive today. Last evening left Dunn NC and followed by GPS to come here. Got off in Fayetteville but the primary road was closed due to construction, the secondary route was police blocked for God knows what reason. After killing over an hour and going around Fayetteville/Fort Bragg I said screw it!! Went back out to I 95 over to I 74 and US 74 to the Charlotte area. Got here before Midnight, parked outside the gate (love these places where you can park at the receiver) hit the bed at 1230am and back up at 515am for my 6am appointment, backed into the dock and done at 9am. Didn't care as I can't go until after 10am. Supposed to have a preplan in Charlotte going to Greer SC and an unknown 2nd stop. Shower day today, YAY. Deuces.

 

Didn't you just have a shower last month

Sounds like you have been keeping busy. Hope all is going well for you out there.

 

Move George's map pin to Effingham, SC for load going to Birmingham, Alabama.