Community Forums

CountryB · 10-20-2017, 12:34 PM

I'm going to be picking up my new MH shortly. I'm getting a little nervous regarding whether it will be able to make the turn off the street into my driveway. The rest of the drive home is no problem.

I would rather figure this out now - and make modifications to my driveway entrance before I get stuck in the road with no plan.

Is it possible to figure out how much room I need to turn in?
My new rig is 42ft with Tag. The wheelbase is 287" (I belive wheelbase is measure to the center space between rear axle and tag (so raising Tag will shorten WB a few inches). I'm not sure what the wheel turning angle is - probably around 50 degrees - its a Roadmaster 10MS chassis (if anyone knows).

I live on residential (private owned roads so they're not as wide as a public road) the road is about 18 feet wide. How much entrance space do I need to make the turn? In the example I found on line (attached) the RV had 259" WB and needed a radius of 31+ft.
I guess I should make sure I have at least that much.

Maybe I'm just over thinking this.

cruzbill · 10-20-2017, 12:54 PM

I think the wheel base measurement excludes the tag axle as the drive axle is the pivot point. Remember, you can raise your tag using the switch in the cab.

My 40' has a shorter WB than your 42', and I freak out (almost) every time I make a left turn. Well, after 3 summers, its better now.

Podivin · 10-20-2017, 01:00 PM

Seems like at worst you may have to intentionally swing a little wide, back up a bit to straighten it up and then go on in.

There isn't a rule that says you HAVE to make it without ANY maneuvering.

Especially on a road that I assume is not heavily traveled, you can probably block the road for 30 seconds while you're doing a little maneuvering to get straightened at the approach into the driveway.

DGBPokes · 10-20-2017, 01:00 PM

That 31 feet looks about right. We have a 40' DP, the left turn into storage is tight....and it's a lot more than 18'

CountryB · 10-20-2017, 01:23 PM

I found this info for public roadway design Roadway Design Manual: Minimum Designs for Truck and Bus Turns

Which suggests I need 42ft turning radius outside track and 29ft inside track. Of course public roadway design is more generous with its turn dimensions than I need to be.

So I think I can measure 42 ft from the far side of the main road, and 42 ft from the far side of my driveway to locate a "pivot point", then mark out the turn radius (inside and outside tracks) with string. If I find a problem (like mispalced mailbox) I might be able to correct it now, before I actually come home with the MH.

Does this line of reasoning sound correct? I have a week before my registration and tag are ready.

THenman · 10-20-2017, 01:26 PM

You might try calling coach builder or chassis builder if new or a recent year coach.

Tom

CountryB · 10-20-2017, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THenman

You might try calling coach builder or chassis builder if new or a recent year coach.

Tom

My neighbor has a 38 footer but his driveway is at more of an angle to to the main street (mine is like a sharp 90). I could ask him to test my driveway entrance - but then he will know I'm a total newbie and I'll lose respect.

I need to figure this out on my own.

PS. The UPS and FedEx trucks have been up my driveway - but my wb is a little longer.

edge68474 · 10-20-2017, 01:50 PM

Is there a shoulder you can drive on to give you more room for that turn. If there is I would put my right side wheels over there some, if it's not soft, just to see what you need the next time. And go as far as you can before you make that right ,oops, LEFT turn. Like another said, you can always back up some and give it another shot. From your pic looks to me like you will be ok. I'm curious though, what is that V wedge at the right side of your driveway?
Report back, tell us how you did. Thanks.
Have a great day.

Larrikin · 10-20-2017, 01:53 PM

I think you will be OK, but if too tight do as the previous post suggested and do a couple adjustment maneuvers. What is the red line in the photo? A fence w a gate? Just drive your new baby home and figure it out when you get there. I have a 42 tag w 282 wheelbase and a similar situation from a narrow country road onto my drive. I have 60 degree cut on the steer tires (Freightliner XCS) which works wonders. You have a decent apron into the drive, mine is tight w culverts. Do not worry, enjoy the new ride. If all fails you can always back her in! Lol.

RKins · 10-20-2017, 01:58 PM

I think you will be ok turning left into the driveway, from the right it will be harder.

edge68474 · 10-20-2017, 01:59 PM

By the name of the street I would say he is in horse country, maybe blue grass state. Their fences would be the best for their horses. Am I close?

CountryB · 10-20-2017, 02:22 PM

The red line is the fence. Yes this horse country - but FL horse country.

In the photo the two dark lines (between the red arrow head) on both sides of my driveway just after turning in are "concrete curbs". I may need to cut one out so I can swing over the grass on that side. There is also a pole with an intercom/doorbell on the left.

And I can't swing too far off the main road because the grass shoulder is about 3 feet wide then it drops into a drainage swale.

Geese, if only I knew all this when my driveway was built.

I think i have some driveway-entrance reconstruction work ahead of me. But better now then when the MH is sitting in the middle of the road.

aether_one · 10-20-2017, 02:35 PM

Yeah, I can see some curb removing in your future. You won't be able to swing wide enough for the rear axles to track inside that curb. You may have to back'er in.

Lv2Roam2 · 10-20-2017, 02:36 PM

Wonder if you could set up some cones in a large parking lot that mark the key boundaries and try the maneuver a couple of times. Remember that from the driver's seat in a left turn your right front side should look like its actually hanging over the grass while the tire is still on pavement. Many drivers give up lots of maneuvering room by turning left too soon with the tire 2 - 3 feet from the edge.