Turning pivot points for 40’ RV class A

[2014winniejounr]

2014 Winnebago Journey 39K
Need pivot points for my RV first time class A driver
Right hand turn
Left hand turn
Back into drive way
With tow dinghy rh and lh turn - 2016 Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk

[Horsedoc]

Practice and just do it. Trying to put markers on windshields and such is going to get you on trouble if you rely on this kind of thing. All corners are not 90 degrees, some are greater and some are less.
Ramps on and off 4 lane limited access roads are good places to practice this. Exit right, turn left and the turn left again heading the other direction.

[PastorCharlie]

The pivot point is at the back wheel on the inside of the turn.

[Ivylog]

I recently taught our daughter how to drive their 42’ DP in two, 2 hour sessions. Started in a large empty parking lot next to a straight line. Put piece of black tape on bottom of the windshield for the edge of the road...helps in construction zones. Adjusted R convex mirror down so you can see the white edge strip and any cars in the blind spot. Sitting in front of the steer tires requires waiting longer to start your turns, even hanging the front out over the grass. Spent most of the first lesson maneuvering around small cones I put out duplicating various types of turns.

Final test was 10 miles on a narrow, curvy undulating road which was as bad as anything you’ll find...she did great. 4 days later we left for a month out West in 2 DPs pulling toads...did the 1500 miles to CO in 2 days. When asked why the 1500 miles in 2 days? She said she was afraid I’d go off and leave her. She did the 2200 miles home on her own. I dinged a bay door, she did not.

[Executive45]

Seat time is invaluable. That said, turning safely is paramount but knowing your air system is right up there with it. Know how to bleed the air tanks, know how your air brakes work etc. Here in America, we are lacking in teaching what we should know before getting behind the wheel....Dennis

[JRscooby]

haste maker wrote:
I know I will be put down for saying this...but I am going to say it anyway...I feel that anyone that drives a class A should have at least a class B CDL...this would insure the driver that they know what they are doing & make them more confident about driving something new to them...OK time put me down for me thoughts.

And not just handling of the vehicle. Get the CDL study materials. Learn to do the inspection

[craig7h]

I will jump on this band wagon and agree with all others, practice, practice, practice. Its the best tool. I think Mommalu hit it on the head!

I find with my tow dolly ( i am sure 4 down will be the same) you need more turning room so you do not run over the curb. Its in the mirrors, they tell the story. I learned alot about turning watching how truck drivers handle the turns, bus drivers are another one to watch.

Good Luck and enjoy

[Mommalu]

As I instructed all the new school bus drivers I trained. Take all the real estate you are allowed by law.
Biggest thing is to square your turns, drive as far forward as you can before you turn giving as much room for the duallies to clear the curb or obstacle. ALWAYS watch your mirrors to ensure all is well.
Mirrors are critical, they tell the story.

[haste_maker]

I know I will be put down for saying this...but I am going to say it anyway...I feel that anyone that drives a class A should have at least a class B CDL...this would insure the driver that they know what they are doing & make them more confident about driving something new to them...OK time put me down for my thoughts.

[wolfe10]

Or even empty cardboard boxes!

[JRscooby]

rk911 wrote:
experience is the best teacher. get some orange cones at your home supply store, set them up in an empty parking and practice your turns.

I can't disagree with this idea. If you already have the cones, great. But if you need to buy, buckets are much more useful after you get the maneuvering figured out.

[DrewE]

With any vehicle, the center point of a turn will be in line with the back axle. If you have a tag axle, that's a little bit ill-defined, granted, but it'll probably end up being close to the main rear axle since it carries more of the weight.

A little thought will show you why this is the case. Each wheel, at any given moment in time, must be traveling in a direction perpendicular to its axle or else it's skidding to the side. When turning, assuming a constant turn (driving in a circular arc), all the wheels must be traveling tangentally to a circle centered at the center point of the circle you're traveling in--albeit at a somewhat different radius for each one--with the axis of each one perpendicular to that and so aligned with a radius of the circle. The front steer wheels of course don't each have their respective axis aligned with the front axle, but rather swiveled so that each one will intersect with a line extended from the rear axle at a single common point, the center point of the turn.

As others have said, how this works out in practical terms and how to judge things from the driver's seat is best worked out by practice and experience. There's no shame in getting out and looking, and doing so repeatedly if needed; it certainly beats failing to do so when you needed to.

[rk911]

experience is the best teacher. get some orange cones at your home supply store, set them up in an empty parking and practice your turns.

[gbopp]

Check Youtube, there are videos that show how to determine your pivot point.

[rdhetrick]

Best to just start driving, and make turns much wider than you think in the beginning. If you can get to a big parking lot, you can practice there. Nothing beats time behind the wheel.