Turning radius for Truck & RV
Turning radius for Truck & RV
(OP)
We are finishing a driveway on the new property. So I thought I would ask the "civil" forum for help.
The driveway goes straight back and then has a oval loop. The loop is 100-125' high. I found design info on Cul-de-Sac Designs. Seems the 30' min radii so too small and the 40' radii with center island would work nicely. I can actually go 50' on the inside. Getting the 20' lanes down the sides and a wider, say 25', lane on the top is okay.
It is just the tree hugger in me that wants to keep the 40-50' inside radii. I just don't know if it is enough for the future vehical designs.
The loop island looks so nice now and if I make the inside radii bigger I start taking down 12"+ dia trees that would be in the new back yard... that turns into a back "driveway".
The driveway goes straight back and then has a oval loop. The loop is 100-125' high. I found design info on Cul-de-Sac Designs. Seems the 30' min radii so too small and the 40' radii with center island would work nicely. I can actually go 50' on the inside. Getting the 20' lanes down the sides and a wider, say 25', lane on the top is okay.
It is just the tree hugger in me that wants to keep the 40-50' inside radii. I just don't know if it is enough for the future vehical designs.
The loop island looks so nice now and if I make the inside radii bigger I start taking down 12"+ dia trees that would be in the new back yard... that turns into a back "driveway".





RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
There is a program available called Autoturn which contains numerous templates for many sizes and types of vehicles ( including aircraft). The program is expensive but the plastic templates should be reasonably priced. Do Google search on "autoturn".
Good luck
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
Good luck
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
I just don't have any way to measure some future vehicle.
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
AASHTO's "A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets" (known as "the green book") has a design vehicle called P/T which is a 19ft long passenger car with a 27 ft. camper trailer. The turning template for this vehicle shows a 33 ft. min. outside wheel path. It appears one could have a center radius as small as 16 ft. (concentric with 33 ft. circle).
Wider paving does give more room to maneuver. If one makes a inside radius larger than 16 ft., be sure to expand the outside radius (if one maintains 18 ft. min paving width, probably OK)
If one is envisioning a larger design vehicle, things change. A tractor trailer (AASHTO WB-50) should be able to handle a circle with a 25' inside paving radius and 55' outside radius.
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
The 33' (or 27') inside radius would work then.
I have 18-20' wide lanes at sides of oval and a 36' high lane at top. So they would also work.
I am so glad I don't have to take down another 18 8-14" trees plus all the little stuff.
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
We have worked hard on this 700' driveway with loop. I was hoping that we were getting it to where we could stop cutting down trees. And start putting down the initial base layers.
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
Some vehicles have different turning radii depending upon which direction they are turning, right or left. It might be just due to the steering mechanism, or it might be designed in on purpose, depending upon the use of the vehicle.
Also, turning radii can change on a given vehicle when wheelbase changes. So, a given model truck delivering concrete can change when used as a dumpster hauler, just to cite an example.
Check your variables, and design for the worst case.
rmw
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
We will know how a semi does when they come for the oaks, cherry, and walnut to mill up. We have to get around and skid drag them to crane on semi. They may also be able to give some advise; before we lay the limestone and slag.
I would not look forward to moving the stone if we have problems. But moving a garage or house would be much worse; so will make sure to test drive before the first foundation is finalized.
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV
We had a damaging storm come thru. So, turn-around and driveway is natually wider. Uprooted trees (7) and blow-down (cut 18-6"+). We worked with two saws for four hours in three acres alone. Other 10 acres will just have to wait.
RE: Turning radius for Truck & RV