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!"![]()
U-turns: the thread that shouldn't have to exist!
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Hammer166, May 8, 2015.
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Criminey Jade, 123456, 77smartin and 6 others Thank this.
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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.
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No no no no, no sign. A big rock. Maybe they'll get the point
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it's that time again...
Last edited by a moderator: May 9, 2015
icsheeple, Voodoo Pyg, sshewins and 4 others Thank this. -
I think your problem is you keep fixing the fence.
Dave_in_AZ, Lepton1, Chewbongka and 8 others Thank this. -
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. -
I'd just have a customer sign made saying
No U Turn Ahead
Blind Side Back
Into EntranceLonesome, Wild Murphy and browndawg Thank this. -
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'. -
sshewins Thanks this.
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Voodoo Pyg, sshewins, BigBluePeter and 1 other person Thank this.
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