My wife has a 2004 Dodge 2500 extended cab and pulls a 777 Sundowner trailer.

We have just moved into a new house and she does not like to back up. Is there a formula I can use to figure out the size of the turning area we will need. I can not find the turning radius for the truck anyhwere on the web (manuals did not come with the used truck...).

How have others figured this out...we are down to hanging out the window with chalk!

Thanks,
Ray

Hi Clueless , welcome to the forum.

There are architectural standards for driveway radius and such. Remember, the trailer tires will turn inside of the truck’s tire path. So your question of the truck's turning radius is not quite complete for your needs. If you get a longer trailer in the future, this radius will decrease and you'll have to swing wider to avoid the trailer wheels going off the road.

The simplest way I can think of, is take your rig to a parking lot. Start with the rig straight. Place a marker on the pavement at the inside rear corner of the trailer. Crank the truck wheels to the inside and drive 1/2 way or till the truck is 90 degrees to the start. Mark the pavement at outside front wheel of the truck. Continue the turn. When the rear wheels of the trailer reach the second mark, spot the inside trailer tires.
Set another marker where the first and third marker makes a 90 degree angle. This is your tightest radius or turning circle. The distance from the third marker to the second mark is the minimum width of the drive way.

Since you might be coming home tired and not too accurate at driving, increase the radius to what-ever you can get for your driveway.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Hosspuller,

After replying to your OP I found a standard for Fire Equipment. Remember, this is a minimum.

"unless Fire Apparatus access is necessary, in which case the minimum inside radius shall be 30.5 feet and the outside radius shall be 46 feet or as required by the Fire Department."

Thanks for the input. To be on the safe side I will go for 48 feet for the outside radius...


Thanks