Advice On Making Tight Right Turns

I have to go to a shipper and in my directions it says to make a tight right turn. I have only come across one really tight turn and I didn't make it. I had to find a way to turn around and come from the other way. I have only 2 hours to make it to this shipper (they gave me the assignment 12 hours before I had to be there and I still had to take my 10 he break) that is 105 miles away so I have no time to get it wrong. Any advice would help.

First check out the scene using ‘satellite view’ on Google maps; you’re looking for an alternative to making that right turn. If none exists, I’d tackle it this way: approach the turn very slowly, slower than usual. Creep as far left as you can get in your lane, without impeding traffic traveling in the other lane/ opposite direction. You may even be in the other lane, just don’t block it entirely. Before you turn right, steer your tractor to the left, keeping eyes on your driver’s side mirror so you don’t hit anyone, then turn right. This should give you enough room to make the turn. Go slowly, so everybody has the opportunity to see what you’re doing and will hopefully give you time and space to complete the turn. Don’t forget to check your passenger side mirror in case someone tries to squeeze past you on that side. Good luck!

When you take your 10 again, read up and/or Youtube “buttonhook turns;” it may help you prepare for your next tight right turn.

Thanks. Will do. Would it help to use my flashers or no?

I basically pull as far forward as possible crossing the intersection, blow the air horn if need be, then turn right into the on coming traffic....which is why it is best to blow ur horn...stay in that opposing trafic lane and watch your trailer the swing back.

if you need to, allow that traffic to cross the intersection first to get out of your way and give you room.

remember what is tight for some is easy for others so it may not truly be tight to you. ;)

Thanks. I have been having nightmares about it all night. After that right turn off Gravel Hill Road going to DHL in PA. I am gun shy

When in doubt hook it! "Button hook". I've been to some pretty small towns where it seems it'd be impossible to make some of the turns, which it was if it wasn't for me button hooking it. Normally I wait until traffic is clear on the road I'm turning on and the other lane, then swing left as far as I think I need before coming back right, be making sure to keep the turn as wide as possible or need to be.

While I was in school, they actually mentioned how a buttonhook would never be used according to the manual. My first day in the truck at Schneider, they had us doing a buttonhook since its the only way to make some of the really tight turns.

I have had turns I had to go all the way to the curb to clear. And definitely buttonhook.

The buttonhook was the first thing Wolding taught me as well, and said forget what school said about never doing it. Just keep watching that right lane and your tandems.

They also said take as many lanes as you need to make the turn.

You've gotten great advice already. I was say for starters, just relax. Time is on your side and so is the fact that you're super huge so everyone will see you.

Take your time. As you approach the intersection go super slow and stay back from the intersection far enough that you have plenty of room left to swing real wide. You want to wait for traffic to give you an opportunity to go. If you have to stop for a moment and put your 4-ways on while you wait for traffic to clear then do so. No big deal.

Once you have a chance then just use all the room available. Use more than you think you may need. Just watch your mirrors at all times and be aware of all of the traffic around you.

Once you start the the maneuver you really have to take control of the road. It only lasts 30 seconds. No one is going to die of a heart attack if they have to wait for you to make a turn. Use all the room you need to make it easily and safely. Once you're out of the way people can do what they want for the rest of their lives. So don't be shy about making them wait a second. Don't worry about what they think. No one gets up in the morning and asks you to approve their plans for the day, so they're not too worried about what you think of them either. That's what gets people nervous. They don't want to hold anyone up or make them mad. You have to put that completely out of your mind and do whatever you have to do to get the job done safely. If that means someone has to wait a minute then so be it. They're adults. They need to be able to handle 30 seconds of inconvenience.

Be patient. Wait for traffic to clear as much as possible and then take control of the intersection and do whatever you need to do to get through there safely. If someone has to wait or they have to back up to get out of your way then that's how it goes. Don't sweat it. You'll make people have to back up out of your way 100 times in your career. That's life. Sometimes you have to wait for others, sometimes they have to wait for you. It's nothing to get worked up about.

It's going to go just fine. Don't sweat it.