Turning Radius For Truck With 53' Trailer (U-Turn)

Grumpy id suggest holding off on purchasing that lot with the intention of parking your truck. Unfortunately with how quickly some people come and go in this industry id hate to see you buy something then not have a use for it. Im not saying i think you'll fail, you seem to understand what you're getting into and have quite an upbeat attitude. Id really say give it a few months to be sure you're happy and then pull the trigger on it unless you would be able to repurpose it.

I would come up with at least 2 spots. One for being loaded or even having a trailer and one for being bobtail. I wouldn't jump on anything of a permanent nature. Just get your ducks lined up. I don't go to the northeast much, but I know we deliver scrap to greenpac/norpac and we take loads out of there. With as close as you live to it, I would almost guarantee that often you will feel like you are running dedicated for them. I have been told of 2 spots that we do drop trailers at up there as a drop lot. A good many of our drop lots that I have come across are trailer repair shops or tire shops. Wolding gives them so much business in exchange for using their property as a drop lot. Win/win. The trailer repair place gets steady business and we get a place to drop trailers. The only downside is, a drop trailer is fair game. It is what it is. You drop a trailer just be prepared for it to not be there when you are heading back out. I have been sent on more than one wild goose chase looking for an MT after coming off hometime.

Yeah, I will probably wait until after training to do anything

Since you are going to HOW, and Patrick said they have a customer and drop lots in your area, then just relax and wait. Once you are there and out with your trainer start asking them about dropping the trailer at that customer or one of the drop lots and bobtailing home.

When I started with CFI they were telling me I could leave my truck at one of two always full tiny truck stops. I spent some time asking local businesses, no luck. First time home they give me a load to drop in Charlotte. To my surprise it was a drop yard 10 minutes from my home and they said I could bobtail home. Then they moved to a different drop yard closer to my home. Only once have I had to hunt for an empty. The new yard is 2 miles from my driveway. Talk about a score. Just relax. Things often work out.

Since you are going to HOW, and Patrick said they have a customer and drop lots in your area, then just relax and wait. Once you are there and out with your trainer start asking them about dropping the trailer at that customer or one of the drop lots and bobtailing home.

When I started with CFI they were telling me I could leave my truck at one of two always full tiny truck stops. I spent some time asking local businesses, no luck. First time home they give me a load to drop in Charlotte. To my surprise it was a drop yard 10 minutes from my home and they said I could bobtail home. Then they moved to a different drop yard closer to my home. Only once have I had to hunt for an empty. The new yard is 2 miles from my driveway. Talk about a score. Just relax. Things often work out.

Agreed.

I still want that property though, even if not for the truck. I would love to move out further in the country. It's closer to my wife's job, maybe I can convince her. :)

I second the notion of waiting on the big purchase until your course is more stable. Also, do you really need a u-turn? Can you back in off the street or road in front? If it looks tight now, it probably won't after you're on the road doing it a couple times a day. Then you'll only need a parking pad the size of a Pilot parking space. Maybe a little wider in front. The larger base rock would only need to be under the tire tracks.

I second the notion of waiting on the big purchase until your course is more stable. Also, do you really need a u-turn? Can you back in off the street or road in front? If it looks tight now, it probably won't after you're on the road doing it a couple times a day. Then you'll only need a parking pad the size of a Pilot parking space. Maybe a little wider in front. The larger base rock would only need to be under the tire tracks.

Probably could, though it is a narrow street. There is a ditch that would need to be filled in either way, so if the apron was wider, you probably could back in. It will probably be a while before I could though. :)

I wouldn't buy the lot for the sole purpose of parking, I just happened to see it and thought it is a really nice lot out in the country. The price is right for a good investment.

If that's the lot, you could just back the truck into the driveway.

If that's the lot, you could just back the truck into the driveway.

I'm going to ride out and take a look today. Looking from the other side of the driveway, it barely looks wide enough for a pickup.

Anyone know this?

Specifically, I have a lot that is 100' wide, if I put a driveway on each side and connect them in a giant U, could I easily drive in one side and out the other?

Grumpy, FWIW... We had a truck turnaround on the farm and I believe it had a 70' INSIDE radius. The lane was at least 20 - 25' wide. So that would not fit into a 100' lot IMO.

Anyone know this?

Specifically, I have a lot that is 100' wide, if I put a driveway on each side and connect them in a giant U, could I easily drive in one side and out the other?

Grumpy, FWIW... We had a truck turnaround on the farm and I believe it had a 70' INSIDE radius. The lane was at least 20 - 25' wide. So that would not fit into a 100' lot IMO.

Thanks Pete.

I have found a free parking spot, but I may well buy this lot if it is still available in summer. It's a great spot in the country.