Over Length

The final dimension we should discuss is over-length. I’d like you to consider that what may be a suitable length for on-highway service may not be appropriate for all environments. Those of you who’ve operated a tractor and 53’ sliding axle trailer know you’d better swing wide if you’re going to make it around tight corners.

The long wheelbase of the trailer makes it difficult to negotiate some curves, even in the roadway. Proper setup for cornering and making turns at intersections often means taking an extra lane to avoid putting the rear of the trailer in the ditch or on a curb.

The driver’s attitude is of utmost importance in this setting. Consider your mindset when you’re sitting at a stop light in a busy intersection. As the light remains red, you survey the intersection and see impatient motorists on all sides. You can tell that you’re going to need a wide berth to make it through. It is in these moments that patience is going to be tested and your actions observed by many.

Proper setup for right hand turns prior to arriving at the intersection is important. Consider rolling slowly toward the intersection several hundred feet before arriving. Allow traffic on your left to clear then position your long combination vehicle in two lanes. This will allow you to swing wider to the right but will indeed block traffic temporarily. You have to understand that the motorists behind you will not be pleased with this and you must be mentally prepared to deal with the consequences.

The second benefit to this setup is to prevent someone from driving into a blind spot to the right of you while you’re turning. We’d like to think that motorists out there are observant and able to understand the difficulties of negotiating tight turns with long vehicles, but they just aren’t. So, if you find yourself in a situation where you’re going to have to swing wide, protect your interests and those of the people around you by proceeding slowly and carefully, avoiding all obstructions, even those that may sneak up in a blind spot.

I hope you can see the wisdom in these words “If You’re gonna play the game, boy You gotta learn to play it right” The towing and recovery industry is full of unique challenges. Most of them can be overcome with training, planning and practice. Above all of that is attitude. Each decision can be a winner or a loser. Sometimes the best play is to walk away or come back with more appropriate equipment or refer the call to someone else. I hope somewhere in this discussion, you’ve found An ace that you can keep.