How much does wheelbase length affect maneuverability, really?

I run Boston NYC weekly/daily. 265/48 spread no dump. It can be done.
Only places I've said "no" are places it wouldn't fit. I do a lot of jobsites that triaxles go in n out of, making 3 point turns to get in might I add.
Sometimes you gotta have patience, and sometimes you gotta know how to do math- 74' is bigger than 50' when I went to school.

 

The pete will turn all the way to the wheel limits. You will discover them.

It's a big long rig yes, however the occasional headache of wriggling into a dock is worth the cloud 9 ride you will have on the interstate most of the time.

It will be a pig to turn around in 40 acres, yes siree.. but I suspect you will find a way around it and not gripe too much.

It's been a long time since I ran a big frame and it was glorious. The North east can be eliminated by going west. he he he.

One minor detail. Don't forget to tape your steering wheel center straight at the top and install a spinner bearing on the lower left of that wheel so you can crank it without killing your chest and shoulders.

 

Well obviously short wheel base is easier.Look how short hostle rigs are? Can say from "experience those long nose Petes handle like crap.Don't turn sharp,big side exhaust blocking your view.If you have been in one for a long time,sure you Can Do It.,just have to take more room,hog two lanes etc

 

I'm probably the only one on the planet who shortened his truck up.
(Canada's wheelbase law)
Everybody else wants a bigger, longer, cooler Peter.
According to Canada mine was too big.
Went from 260" down to 244".
I don't like it. Sure it turns better, but you have noticeably less view in the mirrors when cornering. The wagon is closer and blocks your line of sight at shallower angles. Especially when blindsiding.
When I originally bought the truck the first thing I did was run the steering stops all the way in. That was a lot bigger help than shortening the frame 16".

 

matter of getting used to it.....285w/b 379....53' reefer long hauler rrefer ltl.....sometimes ya gotta git lil creative....sometimes gotta park&hike to check things out...but nothin' that a driver caint handle....1st hoood 79-359.....been runni. Hoods ever since.....been in every nook&crannie of NYC....

 

If you start out in a "hood" with a long wheel base, you'll be fine. But if you start out in today's typical fleet truck with setback axle and turns on a dime, then move to a long wheelbase hood, you're going to have problems.

The difference is night and day in difficult situations. I'll take ease over show any day. Especially in the trucking segment I work in.

 

I hated the newer 379s with the mirrors mounted on the cab instead of tHe doors. I like being able to open the door in order to move the mirror on drivers' side.

 

Im not a show man. However I do appreciate the fine art that goes into some of the rigs out there. Im not blind.

A set back axle changes things a little bit in steering. Any time you can do it, make it happen.

There used to be what was called walking beams in the drives long ago. When you were manuvering while loaded both of your drive axles will offset each other almost a foot to either side while you are working to get the trailer where you needed them to be. Remember this was in the days of no airride. Maybe they can reintroduce that technology again. I would be willing to try it.

 

Did drive 303" & 332" WB pulling a 53 flat bed and i was delivering into Lowes and Home Depot not telling you it was always easy but possible just had to take my time and wiggle my way in.

But in all honesty if i had to buy it would be shorter mostly for fuel economy.