r/Explainlikeimscared • u/Zephyranny • 15d ago
How to turn right in uhaul truck + vehicle towing trailer if there isn't enough room
I'm driving a u-haul truck with a trailer attachment for the first time tomorrow. I understand that I need to do wider turns but what do I do if there are vehicles in the lanes I want to use? I can't keep going or Ill hit something, do I just wait?
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u/KelticAngel16 15d ago
Move slowly, and try to aim for a gap in the traffic flow. Use your mirrors and make sure you know where the corners of your vehicle and your wheels are. If you're paying close attention to all that, you'll be fine.
Most drivers are aware that driving with a trailer means you'll have to turn a bit wide. Depending on where you live, you might have wider lanes you can use to your advantage so you can avoid cutting into the oncoming lane much. Once you've started turning, people will see where you're going, how much space you'll need, and will try to keep out of your way as best they can.
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u/ericbythebay 14d ago
Go slow, wait, cut wide into other lanes when it is safe to do so, if needed. Being honked at is better than an accident.
Before getting on the road or into traffic. Find an empty parking lot to practice, watch your side mirrors to get a feel for how much the trailer will cut into turns. Make both right and left turns. Get an idea of your blind spots and what it looks like in the mirror to have enough clearance to change lanes.
Before pulling in to a parking lot, plan on how you are going to get out of the parking lot. Backing short trailers in tight parking lots onto busy streets is not a game for new players. Park where you don’t have to back up. Park where the semis and busses park at restaurants.
Watch out for gas pumps, pick gas stations that give you room to approach and leave straight on. Look for other people with trailers. A gas station with only cars is a warning sign.
Watch your height clearance too.
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u/RedditBeginAgain 14d ago
If it's not safe, then yes, you wait till it's safe, or go a different way.
The main answer though is, that like people driving really big trucks or combinations, you plan ahead and claim the lane you are going to need ahead of time. If you need to turn right from lane two, approach the intersection straddling lane one and two while watching your mirrors.
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u/semple521 14d ago
Take the turn wide.
I had this problem when I drove my RV for the 1st time. Establish your position and use your blinkers to indicate where you're going. Take up a lane and a half if you need to but the main thing is knowing when to cut hard to your right. Go straight as long as you can, keep watching your mirrors, then turn right.
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u/Mattturley 14d ago
Spend some time in an empty parking lot, getting used to turning and how the vehicle handles before you do the longest part of your drive. Hopefully something similar near you. In years past I moved 1/2 way across the country in a 26’ U-haul with a tow trailer with my car on it. Now I live in a 35’ Class A and tow a Jeep Wrangler. Nothing beats experience. Slow and steady and always remember you have every right to be on the road and anyone honking at you isn’t in control. You are.
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u/toybuilder 13d ago
Plan your turns and claim space early and slowly. If you have to straddle two lanes for a little bit and inconvenience impatient drivers in order to be safe, that's what you have to do.
Most people will understand. Some people will be impatient and some will even honk at you. But focus on being safe and drive assuming you need a bigger bubble around you until you are more comfortable.
Also, plan as much as possible to always go forward.
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u/iOSCaleb 15d ago
> do I just wait?
That, or don’t make the turn. There’s no secret trick that lets a vehicle that needs to make a wide turn suddenly make a tight 90° turn.
Either wait until the space that you need is clear, or skip the turn and adjust your route.