Given I am used to driving a Freightliner MT45 for work (this thing can make the same turns that my previous car, a VW Golf could because the tires turn almost perpendicularly! I love it), I am still a little upset by the lack of ability to get the wheels going sideways.

I find myself banging against what I assume are the steering bumpstops. Any reason why they are so "shallow" ???

With a LWB truck you really have to take some wide turns and then cut the wheel hard late, but with me I do that and then sometimes have to reverse!

 

and the turning radius is improved on the new trucks...i can make a u-turn at an small intersection without any problems used to have to back up at least once..

Dan

 

My '03 has a larger turning radius than my '01, despite the specs claiming they're the same. I think the 5" longer wheelbase has something to do with it too.

It's annoying but I'll get used to it.

Rob

 

If I have to have a complaint, it would be the turning radius. Really not too good. I could easily turn my 95 inside the 03

 

[quote author=DF5152 link=board=17;threadid=19488;start=0#msg182816 date=1063159299]
and the turning radius is improved on the new trucks...i can make a u-turn at an small intersection without any problems used to have to back up at least once..

Dan
[/quote]


by new, do you mean 03 or 04. because i see you have an 03 and so do i.

 

My '03 turns better than the ford or chevy. I test drove all three on the same route because I was undecided. I drove to a cul-de-sac, the dodge was the only one that could turn around with out the 3 point turn. Also, I think that the turning radius is actually better than my old toyota 4x4 extra cab.

 

ahhhhh. so thats the noise i hear when i turn too much..

 

I know these DC trucks don't turn as well as some hoped but much much tighter than the superdutys. Those have a terrible turning radius. I thought I was in heaven driving this compared to my old Ford.

 

[quote author=RobG link=board=17;threadid=19488;start=0#msg182823 date=1063159864]
My '03 has a larger turning radius than my '01, despite the specs claiming they're the same. I think the 5" longer wheelbase has something to do with it too.

It's annoying but I'll get used to it

Rob

[/quote]

Ditto to the above. In fact I think my 01.5 turned quicker. I just never took measurements to back up my suspicion.

 

Having owned two Superduties (1 short bed and one long bed) before getting my 03, I can tell you first hand that the Dodge turning radius is MUCH smaller than the Superduty turning radius. Don't know how it compares to Chevy. In fact, I think the only truck I've ever owned that turned sharper than my Dodge was the little Chevy S-10 I had through college.

 

the larger turning radius (2nd gen to 3rd gen) is because the tires are moved further out towards the corners. wheelbase is longer and so are the axles. Thats what I've read anyway. I took measurements on my 02 and will compare when my 04 arrives.

 

from what i understand is that the turning radius on a NON 4x4, is smaller, but me with the 4x4, i know what you meen.

 

The limiting factor on the 4x4 any way is the front sway bar. You can see on mine where the tires rubs the side of the sway bar at full turn, so they have gotten all they can out of it. I am happy with it. Go drive an old Dodge with a closed knuckle front axle, then you will have something to complain about.....

 

My '03 has a tighter turning radius than my '98 Chevy C1500 x-cab swb.

MikeyB

 

if you have never driven a freightliner delivery truck (mt35, mt45) or international, or any of the real ones, you have to! those things are insane. i swear the wheels will go nearly perpendicular to the chassis.