right turns suck

Should of went wide

 

O U C H !!

That isn't even an 'ALMOST' made it.

 

When I first started out and it looked like i wasn't going to make it I would STOP then wait till traffic cleared then steer left, I didnt care if I had to go up on the sidewalk I sure wasn't going to take a pole out..

That pic looks like the guy forgot he had a trailer on all together...

 

its stupid drivers in orange trucks that give the rest of us a bad name. as far as button hooks go just take your time thats the key to any thing in trucking time and space and use as much of both as you need and have

 

Its not just orange trucks. Its all sorts of trucks and I dont necessarily think the drivers of them are stupid, lol I'm sure some are of course. I think alot are just not paying attention enough to whats happening or whats gonna happen. So who cares if you want to call something a buttonhook or jughandle or this or that, just use space and wide turns to your advantage and take as much as you need, then use a little more. Its better to make your space before your turn than to have to make traffic back up in the street your turning into, no matter what the law might say. You can use handicap curbs to your advantage just be aware that if your coming off the high side of them dont let your tandems just sit there with all that weight. Use your good judgement before your turn not halfway through.

 

I've had to move my tandems all the way forward in order to make turns at particular stores(parking lots); and this leads me to wonder just how much I should worry about the blindside rear of the trailer swinging out more than my tractor when making sharp turns. I've seen damage done to wooden guard rails from this, so I know it's a risk. I never had anything happen, but it sort of makes me worry.

The diagram on the jug handle is what I've always thought to be a button hook. The diagram's version of a button hook can't be serious, as it depends on other drivers to make room, which is just absurd.

What makes me worry about right hand turns is the following dilemma:

1. Wait in the right lane for traffic in the left(or even center and left) to clear so you can make a huge "jug handle"(what I call a buttonhook). You would be here forever, as the folks behind you will get pissed and try to go around, thus an endless supply of drivers in your left. And if you have to use the oncoming traffic lane, then it's 100 percent impossible in most cities in rush hour, especially if there is a traffic light nearby. But as far as I know, waiting in the right lane for making a wide turn is the legal way.

2. Straddle both the right and left lane when you are about to make your turn so you don't have to wait for traffic to pass, which never will in rush hour traffic. I know that this is the illegal way to make a turn, yet it's the most practical to yourself and the other drivers. Who wants an 18-wheeler holding up traffic for 10 min in the right lane?

This is the way I was trained at Fox Valley Tech in Appleton, WI, by the way. Please correct if I'm wrong on these right turn procedures...or left turns for that matter. I definitely straddle two lanes when I'm making a wide left turn. Otherwise, you'd hold up traffic forever.

 

... a button hook is when you are traveling in a straight line forward, maybe as far left as you can be in the right hand lane, go past where you are turning almost to your first set of rear axles on the trailer, then turn as sharply right possible. You may encounter oncoming traffic of street you are turning on but not dealing with any traffic at all from the street you are turning off of.
... a jug handle turn is when prior to making your right turn, you swing out to the left of your lane into another lane that is not yours, so you can make the turn right. And this turn does not require as much clearance of lanes on the street in which you are turning on to.
... make any sense that way?
... also if unsure think of this. Can you go on past where you want to turn, turn around and go back to the street to turn on making a left turn? Unless it is a one way street you may want to consider doing this just to be real safe. Just food for thought as they say!

 

SOME THINGS ARE JUST COMMON SENSE LIKE MAKING THAT TURN

 

One thing I always remember when making any turn. If youve got the space, use it! If you need the space a car is occupying, wait for them to move and forget about the ignorant people behind you. Your mirrors are a lifesaver. Take it slow and easy and watch your mirrors. It will take time to be able to "judge" how to set up for a turn before getting to it, so dont get frustrated when some turns arent as good as others. Now and then, I find that Ive turned too wide and see my trailer coming back from riding in the other lane. Square your corners and keep an eye on that trailer and you will be ok.