368 National Dr., Rockwall, TX 75032
4 Tips To Make Perfect Turns With Your RV
Are you planning a road or camping trip for your next vacation? The best idea is to rent an RV! These spacious vehicles are perfect for taking your family around the country and enjoying a comfortable vacation full of fun. Yet, what happens if you’ve never driven an RV before? You might have some insecurities about it, especially on roads with narrow turns.
All drivers know that narrow turns and streets are a complete nightmare. With a bigger and heavier vehicle, it can be twice as difficult. Luckily, in this blog, we’ll help you understand the turning radius of your RV rentals. Read on and get prepared for your trip!
Our Recommendations For Safe Turns With Your RV Rental
No need to panic! Here’s what you can do to make your turns safely:
Beware Of Off-Tracking:
When you drive your RV rental down the highway and make a turn, the wheels will no longer follow a straight line. This is called off-tracking. Two things that directly result in the amount of off-tracking your RV experiences are the wheelbase of your vehicle–the length between your front axle and drive axle–and the wheel cut off your vehicle, which is how sharply your front wheels can turn.
Because you can’t turn the front of your motorhome as sharply as a car, you may have to use two lanes when turning the RV. The back of an RV typically only takes up one lane.
Don’t Underrate Rear Overhang
The drive axle on Class A, B, and C motorhomes is where your RV pivots whenever you take a turn. Everything behind the rear drive axle is called the rear overhang. The rear overhang is the section of your RV that extends beyond the back wheels.
It’s important to be aware of this because this area will swing in the opposite direction from where you’re turning when you’re driving your RV. This is called tail swing. So, if you turn left, the rear overhang will swing right, and vice versa.
Remember The 5th Wheel
If you have a fifth-wheel trailer, remember that the pivot point is not your truck’s drive axle but the kingpin where the fifth-wheel hitch connects to the trailer. Make sure to leave extra space on turns to allow room for tail swing and off-tracking.
Practice Makes Perfect
Don’t wait until you’re out on the road to learn the turning radius of your RV. Practice in an empty parking lot or large open space, so you can feel how much room your RV rental will need when turning and maneuvering in tight spaces.
Quest RV: Spacious & Equipped RV Rentals
We provide our customers with well-equipped and spacious RV rentals at Quest RV. Our models come in a range of sizes to accommodate the needs of your next vacation or road trip adventure. We have everything from Class A, B, and C RVs to travel trailers! If you want to spice up your vacations, rent an RV with us! You can visit our facilities in Rockwall, TX, or send us a message with your questions.