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Turning radius of standard 2552

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renotse

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Turning radius of standard 2552
« on: August 10, 2017, 01:20:15 pm »
I am trying to get a handle on how tight the 2552 with 206" wheel base will turn. We previously had a sprinter with 170" wheelbase and all our parking locations are tested for that wb. I have a pretty tight. 90 degree, turn into my driveway but the sprinter made it quite easily. Based on that I have gone out on a limb to assume the  extra 36" wheel base of the 2552 will still make that turn.

I cannot find any specifications on turning radius so I was reduced to calculating for myself. According to my calculations using conservative geometry and the Ackerman Steering principle I calculate the center track turning radius to be 477" or right at 40'. After calculating the radius I'm not so sure its going to fit as easily as I originally thought.


If you have a 2552 and your experience is different please help me out with guidance.
« Last Edit: August 10, 2017, 02:06:47 pm by renotse »

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jatrax

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Re: Turning radius of standard 2552
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2017, 01:54:33 pm »
Way too much math for me:) 
I grew up on a working farm handling all manner of ungainly equipment.  When my dad taught me to drive (at age 11) he gave me one rule: "Always use all the room you have whether you think you need it or not".  What he meant was if you need to make a sharp right hand turn with a combine and you are worried about hitting that fence post on the right forget about the fence post, just swing wide LEFT, and steer the FRONT end as close as you can to the fence post on the LEFT side of the gate.  The one on the right will be just fine, or not, and if not well then the hole was too small anyway and now it's bigger:)

For what its worth I have a right hand turn into my drive from a rather narrow two lane country road.  I swing into the opposing lane (to use all the room there is) and just turn into the drive, no problems.  It does take a little practice to get the feel of where that rear wheel is going to turn but after a week's trip home I was not even thinking about it any more.

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randallandchris

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Re: Turning radius of standard 2552
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2017, 02:27:31 pm »
See page 30, then extrapolate using the standard wheelbases.  Should be closer than using the Sprinter with its different gear.  Looks to be over 70' wall to wall.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2017/2017_E-Series_Cutaway_Stripped_Chassis-Specs.pdf
« Last Edit: August 10, 2017, 06:26:29 pm by randallandchris »

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Turning radius of standard 2552
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2017, 09:08:24 pm »
I always understood that the Sprinter's front wheels turned sharper (more angled to the left and right) than any E-series does.  So the difference would be more than just the wheel base.  But don't take my word for it.  It's just what I thought I recall reading some time ago.
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SandK

Re: Turning radius of standard 2552
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2017, 09:21:32 pm »
We are looking at the 2552 as well and are concerned about the turning radius. My computation arrives 70 feet (same as randallandchris).

My wife wants something small to be able to easily get in out of places.

However, a 30' class A on the F53 chassis (Bay Star Sport, 190" WB) will have a 52' turning radius.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2017/2017_F53_F59_Specifications.pdf

It appears a small class A may be more maneuverable without considering height. Of course, no airbags and nothing but glass between you and some inanimate object in the class A.

So the class C is still the RV of choice for us. But, we have not driven anything since an Alaska tour ten years ago in a class C.

SandK

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SandK

Re: Turning radius of standard 2552
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2017, 09:41:30 pm »
Should also consider that the specs are curb-to-curb. Front and read overhangs will impact the wall-to-wall turning radius.

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hutch42

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Re: Turning radius of standard 2552
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2017, 03:46:40 pm »
Renotsa----We went through the same exercise last spring when we came very close to buying a 2551.  We have very limited space to fit it in.  Our driveway in the rear of the house is 10' wide and edged by shrubs and gardens on both side.  Its a sharp right angle turn off an alley that is only about 12'-14' wide....also with fence and hedge on either side.

The 2551 has a WB of 194".  We used the same formula to determine a turning radius of roughly 36'.  We also determined the tail swing to be about 2-1/2'   This was important because of the fence in the alley.  Made mock ups and cut outs to try and mimic the turn....still could not be sure.

Then discovered that a 20' Uhaul truck had almost the exact same dimensions as the 2551 in length/width and WB  196".
Spent $50 for an hour and discovered that it would not make the cut.....without ripping out wifes gardens, which was a no go.  The 26' Uhaul looks to have around a 200"+/- WB....but it is quite a bit longer overall.  Attached is the 20' truck dim.

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hutch42

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Re: Turning radius of standard 2552
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2017, 03:54:42 pm »
The file did not come through  So will try in a picture format


https://www.uhaul.com/Trucks/20ft-Moving-Truck-Rental/TT/

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Turning radius of standard 2552
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2017, 10:00:49 am »
Renotsa----We went through the same exercise last spring when we came very close to buying a 2551.  We have very limited space to fit it in.  Our driveway in the rear of the house is 10' wide and edged by shrubs and gardens on both side.  Its a sharp right angle turn off an alley that is only about 12'-14' wide....also with fence and hedge on either side.

The 2551 has a WB of 194".  We used the same formula to determine a turning radius of roughly 36'.  We also determined the tail swing to be about 2-1/2'   This was important because of the fence in the alley.  Made mock ups and cut outs to try and mimic the turn....still could not be sure.

Then discovered that a 20' Uhaul truck had almost the exact same dimensions as the 2551 in length/width and WB  196".
Spent $50 for an hour and discovered that it would not make the cut.....without ripping out wifes gardens, which was a no go.  The 26' Uhaul looks to have around a 200"+/- WB....but it is quite a bit longer overall.  Attached is the 20' truck dim.
Hutch, I think that is one great idea.....rent a U-Haul truck of the same length & wheelbase and give it a try.
 2o2
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jfcaramagno

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Re: Turning radius of standard 2552
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2017, 04:03:09 pm »
We have a 2552 and it requires 4 lanes to make a u-turn without backing up.
John and Carol

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Turning radius of standard 2552
« Reply #10 on: August 17, 2017, 08:48:02 am »
We have a 2552 and it requires 4 lanes to make a u-turn without backing up.
Interesting.  I will have to pay closer attention how many lanes it takes for us with a 2350.  It's less than 4 lanes.  Maybe it's 3.9 lanes. :)

G.T.
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