Crowded City Turns

you have to start your setup early---have your trailer blocking right lane and your tractor completely in the next lane
then when you go to turn just get as close to the left as you can when you swing in--and your trailer should turn just nicely--missing the curb with a few feet to spare
i really suck at explaining---but as you turn--your truck will be in left lane--then kind of gradually go to right lane as you complete turn
clear as mud??

 

You know, sometimes when turning right, is just impossible to avoid going onto the opposite lane of the street where I am turning... Not sure if I am making this clear... I have to do this to avoid my trlr from climbing on the curb. Some corners and the lanes are so #### tight, if my tandems are on the 7th hole or further back, I have no choice... But of course, I look where I am going before I make the turn and make sure there's no vehicle coming or they are very far away before I turn. I wait and wait until I am sure the lanes are clear and there's enough space to turn. If I am at an intersection and get the green light but there's not enough space for me to turn, I play my horn and ask drivers to move back so that I can turn without hitting them. Patience, eye contact and communication helps a lot.

 

Thanks for correcting me on the "button hook" turns, the online CDL mentioned a few different ones but didn't really touch on them all that well, so I struggled with understanding the differences between them. I figured that once I attended training my understanding of them would become clear. I will definitely be putting all the tips given in this thread to use as far as being extra aware at all times while driving through the grids.

 

Try an 85 foot gasoline tanker in the city all day long. But I loved it and got real bored when I had to go out on the road. Everyone is right about items that can distract you. As soon as I get on the surface streets I turn all radios off and crack the window a bit so I can hear better. A long time ago the drivers at my company demanded moto mirrors and they are a huge help. At least you're not blind. We would make the turn and the right mirror would follow so we could see. You just have to have the switch close enough to you so you can make the turn. And GO SLOW.

You're right there are times when it's impossible not to go into the oncoming traffic. However, it should be the oncoming traffic on the road you're turning into. There are places we go where we have no choice but what we did was wait until it's clear and we didn't block any lane except the right lane we were sitting in. We had the most problems with people passing the stop line and blocking us. In that case we would make that car move back if they could but if they couldn't then we waited and didn't start the turn. If you turn blind then you have to make sure no one drives up on your right side. It happens all the time so you have to block them enough so they can't make a turn. That's why the button hook turn works. You keep to the right as far as possible and turn the tractor as late as you can. You don't swing wide into on coming traffic on the street you are turning from but you have to watch the right side traffic to make sure your cab will clear. Sometimes a car will move up on you while you're turning and in that case you're alrady committed to the turn so they have to move.

You do it enough times it becomes no problem. Just take it slow and keep your eyes moving. And get yourself a set of motomirrors. ALWAYS USE YOUR TURN SIGNAL.

 

Exactly what I was trying to say... and like you said, GO SLOW.

 

nothing has changed in the last 5 years driving in Chicago, you will be back you your old self after a day or two after driving there

 

There was a group hug and I missed it?


I too have to button hook. I go slow and steady and even stop if need be. And yes I do at times have to go into the oncoming lane of the street I'm turning into. Like I said I'll go slow or stop and simply out wait the 4 wheeler until they yield. Because we deliver to stores we get sent up some very narrow streets at times. If we didn't buttonhook we'd be taking out utility poles.
We were taught in school to button hook.