Why do you think that an 18 wheeler makes such wide turns?
2007-09-24 16:51:06 · 11 answers · asked by the voice 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
there is a pivot point between the tractor and the trailer. the trailer itself has no steerable wheels. since the trailer has no steerable wheels, they will take the path of least resistance. if the tractor doesnt make a wide path, trying to do a car type turn will just yank the trailer over the sidewalk and anything else that gets in the trailer's way.
if u watch, the front wheels of the trailer will attempt to closely follow the back wheels of the tractor, the rear wheels actually get dragged around the turn.
right turns are made wider than left turns...u'll get squished trying to pass a truck on the right. left side pass side...right side suicide.
2007-09-25 00:54:04 · answer #1 · answered by forktail_devil 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The rear wheels take the shortest route on the turn, so if the truck does not take the turn in a wide manor, the rear wheels (and the truck body) will be cutting the turn to close!
The trailer will take a straight line path, rather than following the truck in the same tracks!
2007-09-25 00:46:16 · answer #2 · answered by fire4511 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
The front of the truck makes a wide turn but the back end makes a pretty tight turn, because the rear of the truck, or truck and trailer is so far back.
2007-09-24 23:59:59 · answer #3 · answered by jimanddottaylor 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Just watch one make a turn....If the answer isn't evident to you, you MAY have a problem!!!!! Try not to hurt yourself thinking about it.
2007-09-25 23:42:07 · answer #4 · answered by Louis C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hang on while i pop down to the dmv and ask them, then i will park my rig at the nearest bar and have a large Southern Comfort in fact maybe i wil have lots, give my keys to the bar man and walk home so i dont loose my license and after i get up in the morning i will need some more time to think so i will walk back to the bar and pick up the rig and then deliver my cargo to texas, when i get back from there and i have thought some more then i will answer this amazingly, unbelievable question.
however if you are just a young person and researching the question for a project you will find the question has been answered above, thanks for the laugh
2007-09-25 04:51:22 · answer #5 · answered by mike p 3 · 1⤊ 5⤋
I am a professional truck driver. Truck drivers make wide turns (usually when turning left) because of the configuration of the vehicle, blind spots, and to make sure that absolutely no other vehicles get caught in the 'pinch' zone and get hit!
2007-09-25 00:00:42 · answer #6 · answered by holt594@verizon.net 1 · 4⤊ 4⤋
Because it has a wide and long body?I just hit myself on the head for answering your question.
2007-09-24 23:54:43 · answer #7 · answered by I'M GONNA GO PLACES 5 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Because, they have 18 wheels?
2007-09-24 23:57:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
because they are usually towing a 54 ft trailer
2007-09-24 23:58:36 · answer #9 · answered by Jay Bailey 3 · 2⤊ 4⤋
gee lets see maby its so they can make the turn
2007-09-25 03:44:27 · answer #10 · answered by bungee 6 · 3⤊ 4⤋