concerned about towing this fiver

[davydee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodhicker ... very seldom see one that knows how to make a right hand turn using only one lane.

Any references you can recommend to teach me how to do that? Reason I ask is that our current residence is behind a strip mall / shopping center with hotels. To turn into our subdivision, I always take two lanes to make the right had turn. Since we have the hotels, we're always having over the road rigs make the same turn I do to enter our subdivision. Several years ago, I got the idea to sit one afternoon at the McDonalds parking lot and watch these guys make that same turn. They took two lanes to make the same right hand turn, too. So I was thinking that two lanes was OK until your post. Also, as we bend in the middle, I'm thinking we should make that turn easier than a motorhome. But then the biggest motorhome I've ever driven was a class c, so no real experience to speak from. So if it can be done from one lane, I'd like to know how. Thanks!!!!

[Daveg48]

Well it appears to me that the day of pulling with a 3/4 ton and maybe even the 1 ton pickup trucks is approaching. We all seem to want bigger and better and that means more weight. I realize that a tractor truck can be purchased at a very reasonable price and I do have a CDL but in my situation I need a vehicle to drive once I get set where I am going and that is not an option. Since I am not all that far from home I could take the tractor back home and get my car or pickup. Something to consider. In fact I have a neighbor with several semi tractors and I am sure that if he was not using one of them I could borrow it. However it would not be set up with a proper hitch for me, and he does not have them to just set around much. I think I am going to hang on to my Prairie Schooner and try to tough it out through the winter. If I get through this one I will have more time to look for something else. I really would like to eventually find and Excel with the thermopane windows but a 33 footer would surfice. In a search there just are not a whole lot of used Excels out there. That alone says something about the trailer.
Thanks for all the comments from the brotherhood.

[Still Working "NOT"]

Dave, where are you at? Sounds like you may be in Kansas.

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Quote:

Originally Posted by davydee Any references you can recommend to teach me how to do that? Reason I ask is that our current residence is behind a strip mall / shopping center with hotels. To turn into our subdivision, I always take two lanes to make the right had turn. Since we have the hotels, we're always having over the road rigs make the same turn I do to enter our subdivision. Several years ago, I got the idea to sit one afternoon at the McDonalds parking lot and watch these guys make that same turn. They took two lanes to make the same right hand turn, too. So I was thinking that two lanes was OK until your post. Also, as we bend in the middle, I'm thinking we should make that turn easier than a motorhome. But then the biggest motorhome I've ever driven was a class c, so no real experience to speak from. So if it can be done from one lane, I'd like to know how. Thanks!!!!

This is what I do when driving my trailer, as I approach the intersection I keep to the right side of the lane. As the nose of my truck enters the intersection I turn outwards (left) some just before I need to start turning. By doing this it keeps the trailer tires closer to the hub of the intersection. I was hoping one of the motor home folks would have answered the second part of your question. I have driven lots of long wheel based trucks and one has to know what each will do. Some have a tight turning radius and some don’t. One old Oshkosh needed 40 acres to complete a turn. Some of the weight fanatics on vehicles would go nuts when we haul a 100 foot pole on top of a one ton truck. The pole weights roughly 9000lbs and with the extra length I take the whole intersection to complete a turn. But don’t worry it seems like all the new immigrants that are getting licenses don’t even know not to cross over a white line, so take the road like you own it!!

[motojavaphil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodhicker I see the same thing with the motor home folks, some times some of the ones I meet on the road, I think they are paying taxes on both sides of the road and very seldom see one that knows how to make a right hand turn using only one lane. I do think you are right that everyone should at least have a class C CDL and if no prior experience should have to do a Driving School.

I resemble that. I've seen the same from big rigs, 5r's, Caddy's. I don't know about CDL's but RV Driving Schools and practice sure make a difference.

[Endeavor2BnC]

I found that I can make the turn with our 3500 dually LB by pulling up to the corner at the left side of the lane. Then pull straight forward until an imaginary line runs from the point where the curb and asphalt meet (about 12" from the curb) across your knees. Then start your turn. I stay in one lane and don't clip the curb. It'll be interesting to try this in BigBit now because, I think, the turing radius is less than the dually. I'll report back when I get it tested.

[Daveg48]

Yes "not" I am in Kansas. Dodge City.

[davydee]

Thanks, guys - we've still got a lot to learn with this rig!!!

[dream reachers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveg48 Howdy folks. I am new to this place but have already found it to be great help. I have an 02 GS Prairie Schooner that is 33 ft long. I pull it with my 02 Dodge 2500 4x4 with the cummins. Gross weight of the PS is around 14,262. I am looking at an 04 Excel ltd that is 37 ft with washer/dryer and generator. Gross on it will approach 17,500. I do not want to have to buy an different truck too. I have had several people tell me the Dodge will handle it if I do not do a lot of mountain driving. Doing the math shows that I will be illegal but many of us are. Will I be safe? Just want some opinions. Thanks

Some people will tell you anything especially a salesman. Don't believe them, you will be liable if you have an accident. Whatever trailer you get make sure you have a truck with more towing capacity for a safty factor.
Some people get a trailer and put it in a rv park in a different location from where they live and are seasonal campers and store their trailer at the rv park. You could pay someone to pull the trailer for you so you would not have to buy a bigger truck,[just a suggestion].