Let's talk uturns

Hmmmmmmmmmmm . . .

 

Used to do them all the time when I'd drive a route with a 30ft trailer at 3 am...

With a smooth tanker at 80k not so much. I also know where I'm going now most the time. I'm not looking for tiny restaurants grease dumpsters in back alleys anymore.

But yeah it's possible even with a big trailer but you won't do it legally, you gotta turn from the far right.

 

I try to avoid them as much as possible. I think I'm total I've only completed 3 maybe. All of them were on roads where I missed my turn and was coming to a low clearance. Two I used spotters.

 

HAHAHAHAHAH~! Yep, GOOD one! LoLoL... have fun with DAT, you U-turners~!~!

 

Don't expect them to even see you. With the amount of distracted driving today make sure you have time to make it without relying on other traffic to see you. That's how people die. And it's not just u-turns, the guys coming off the shoulder or turning onto a busy road with traffic coming are taking a huge chance.

 

Like this Fed-Ex guy?

 

I have my GPS configured to allow/suggest U-turns, mostly to alert me that I may have missed a turn.

The difficulty of this topic is crafting a programmatic approach. Lots of variables to consider.

Let's see...

If a cop is not directing, never on an interstate.
Never on unfrozen soil.
Never ignore overhead utility wires.
Never in a panic.
Be willing to shorten up your sliding tandems.
Keep the trailer tail well away from utility poles, vehicles, and buildings.
Starting the U-turn with tractor-trailer somewhat in a jackknife (crank the steering wheel, go forward, opposite-lock the steering wheel, back up) and then gradually releasing the jacknife (during the turn) is less likely to damage equipment, compared to "tighter, tighter, tighter, tighter, oops!".

Nowadays, the fairings on the tractor demand greater attention to ground clearance, jacknife angle, etc.

But the good news is your GPS should give you visibility of the local streets, provide a re-route, etc.

Just don't panic. Your company would prefer you risk a ticket for blocking traffic over sending a wrecker.

I assume...

 

It is illegal to make a u-turn in a commercial vehicle....if you are at a low bridge call law enforcement for assistance...cause anytime you make a u turn and an accident happens you are automatically at fault!!!

 

Well its kind of like turning a blind side into a driver side / sight side and visa versa..