U turns in small places

[LY007]

Watched this guy for twenty minutes at my dentist office today. Before he was done he damaged the truck, the trailer, the car, and a parked car nearby. Wasn’t much help I could offer, but I felt for him. He eventually made it out.

[bweybright]

Ouch!!!! I sure hope he took out the extra insurance when he rented the truck and trailer.

[Mattirs]

At some point you just have to back up.

[majorairhead]

Originally Posted by Mattirs

At some point you just have to back up.

Indeed, backing up is a skill that would have been quite handy for this cat.

[J. Morgan]

It's a shame, there is enough room to turn that rig around easy in that parking lot.

People sometimes lack the ability to STOP, think things through, and THEN act.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The whole process of backing up a trailer is a bit daunting the first time you do it. In addition, the descriptions (and horror stories) people provide you with often are less than helpful.

I've spent years hauling trailers around. After listening to the horror stories here on the form, I was *very* concerned about backing the AS for the first time. Indeed it was much alarm about nothing at all, but still, it had me spooked.

Bob

[majorairhead]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

The whole process of backing up a trailer is a bit daunting the first time you do it. In addition, the descriptions (and horror stories) people provide you with often are less than helpful.

I've spent years hauling trailers around. After listening to the horror stories here on the form, I was *very* concerned about backing the AS for the first time. Indeed it was much alarm about nothing at all, but still, it had me spooked.

Bob

We used to fool around seeing if we could back a hay wagon, connected to a baler, connected to a tractor, up to the barn.....

[drbrick]

There is no such thing as a U-turn in a small space. We're 50 feet long so you don't go where you can't maneuver

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

It's a shame, there is enough room to turn that rig around easy in that parking lot.

People sometimes lack the ability to STOP, think things through, and THEN act.

The time to think about how to get out of tight space is before you pull into one.

[Larry C]

Originally Posted by majorairhead

We used to fool around seeing if we could back a hay wagon, connected to a baler, connected to a tractor, up to the barn.....

Backing up a farm wagon is a bitch by it's self, let alone connected to a baler, which is connected to a tractor........now if there were enough alcohol involved and there was enough time, it may be possible....just sayin'

Larry

[EricF]

When all else fails, you can always unhook the trailer and reattach from a different angle.

[FYS]

After crushing my rear turn signals twice already, I always plan my exit when I enter into a parking lot or a tight spot. Else, I rather park further away and walk more.

I would maybe un-hitched the trailer, then at least point the tow vehicle in the right way (even that means I'll have to hop the curb and go through those trees)?

[Rich W]

Looks like someone was moving their household goods and towing their car. I wonder why they didn't just leave the rig on the street. I'm guessing the driver was by himself and decided to go into a parking lot, finding out it was blocked on the far end or had no way to pull through. He should have unhitched and got the truck turned around then hooked up again. Maybe even calling the rental company for help would have been better.

I too feel sorry for him but the advice to not go where you aren't sure about getting out is the best advice. I worked for UPS for 8 years and backing up was not advised. If you have to, you do it before getting out of the truck because you know where everything is. Get yourself positioned to pull forward when done with a delivery, not back up.

I've managed to turn my AS around in some pretty tight places but I always have the DW as a ground guide. If she's not with me, I rarely get into situations where I have to turn around. I prefer to park on the street or nearby parking lot that is mostly empty. If I HAVE to back up and I'm alone I frequently get out and check positions and clearances.

[Silvr_Bullet]

I once witnessed a tractor trailer driver back up with 2 trailers attached. Now that’s driving skill.

[OTRA15]

FYI TravlinMan's "Please Tell Me . . . " threads are a good read, in terms of not getting yourself into trouble by going down a dead-end path. At times, he would walk a mile or so into a remote boondocking site, just to make sure he could leave later on. Prep work on Google Earth only went so far.

Peter

FYI/FWIW

[J. Morgan]

The furthest I ever had to back was about five miles....

I once managed to back into a tight spot that I couldn't pull or back out of. The geometry wouldn't allow it.

I had to pull a fence post.

All the Penske truck driver needed to do was to back in blind side next to the silver car, and then turn out to his right.