U-turns: the thread that shouldn't have to exist!

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Hammer166, May 8, 2015.

  1. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    ~8600+' and loving it!
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    I really shouldn't have to share this, but based on recent incidents here at the yard, I suppose it really does need addressed.

    Drivers, when attempting a u-turn with your 53' foot trailer, more than 53' of roadway and shoulder is required!

    Here's the deal:

    I work at a railyard on a dead-end street. 1/3 of a mile back up the street is the docks for a chemical facility. Those docks are about 100' off the right edge of the road, and spaced about 25' or so apart. The problem is that instead of blindsiding into the huge gaps between other docked trucks, drivers continue driving past those docks looking for a place to turn around. It's plainly obvious before you pass the docks that there's no where to turn around further down the road, but that doesn't seem to stop drivers from coming this way. It's a standard industrial 2 lane 32' wide with a hard 14' shoulder on the right, and a very sketchy sloped edge of the left, 6' at the very most, and that's pushing it. When it's wet it's unusable. There is also fence along the right edge of the shoulder.

    Now putting my skills to the test, 32' + 14' + 6' = 52'. Take of another foot because in 90 degree jackknife, your trailer is a foot or so in from the outer edge of the truck, so let's say 51'.

    Could someone please explain to me how these magicians think they are going to u-turn a 53 footer in that space? Because my fence can surely attest to the fact that you can't! Three times in the last month, our fence has been torn down by these idiots. And surprise, surprise! Only the one who got stuck hung around, the others ran off like 10 year old boys who just threw a rock through a window, and had to be chased down.

    "Please, Mr.Wizard! I don't want people to know I drive a truck anymore!"
    :biggrin_25511:
     
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  3. Jigsaw

    Jigsaw Light Load Member

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    Call the city or county, whatever the case may be, and have them put up a sign. "NO Turn Around Past This Point" It is worth a try.
     
  4. w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    Chicago, il
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    No no no no, no sign. A big rock. Maybe they'll get the point
     
  5. freightwipper

    freightwipper Road Train Member

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    it's that time again...

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 9, 2015
  6. FatDaddy

    FatDaddy Road Train Member

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    I think your problem is you keep fixing the fence. :biggrin_2559:
     
  7. Voodoo Pyg

    Voodoo Pyg Oink! Oink!

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    Corpus Christi, Texas
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    Coming from Stevens Transport where there was no such thing as a legal U-Turn, I can attest to that fact. Even though I may not have my job due to incidents, I can promise you that they had nothing to do with U-Turns. In fact they had just gotten rid of a 15 veteran and fired another who did it right at the terminal gate where the BIG BOSS of all people saw it. Come on people! It's in the manual. They even had a quote: "There will always be a safe place to turn around." This much is true. Have you tried filing complaints with the companies?
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2015
    kimbosa Thanks this.
  8. icsheeple

    icsheeple Trailing the Herd

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    Kansas City, KS
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    I'd just have a customer sign made saying

    No U Turn Ahead
    Blind Side Back
    Into Entrance
     
    Lonesome, Wild Murphy and browndawg Thank this.
  9. sshewins

    sshewins Road Train Member

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    There will always be a safe place to turn around is not 100% accurate. Unless you don't mind driving 10+ miles away.

    Guess that's why I don't work at stevens. Miller tried that noise a while back. Then again, my trailer is only 42'.
     
  10. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    El Chuco, Tejas
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    Muñoz leaves it up to us to make the call.
     
    sshewins Thanks this.
  11. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Road Train Member

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    That is the way it should be. Put on the big boy pants and do it right.
     
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