I enjoy driving our fifth wheel RV, and I encourage all of you “co-piloting RV gals” to consider learning how, as well. (Read to see why two drivers are so important.) Knowing how to safely turn is an important skill to master when first learning to drive your rig. Even if you’ve been RVing for a while, some RV turning tips may help you feel more confident and at ease behind the wheel.
General RV turning tips
Here are some common tips for making safe turns in your RV:
- Signal. Always, always signal your intention to turn. Engage your turn signal before you begin to slow down. Check local state laws. In Missouri, drivers must activate their signal light 100 feet before the turn. (Hint: Planning and knowing your route ahead of time will prevent last-minute lane changes or sudden braking.)
- Lane and speed. Move your RV into the correct lane for making the turn and reduce your speed. It’s possible to lose control of your RV if you go too fast into (and through) a turn.
- Traffic. Check the traffic in front, behind, and on either side of you. Also, look to see if pedestrians or bicyclists are approaching or are already in the crosswalk or bike lane. Even if a crosswalk isn’t marked, remember that pedestrians always have priority. Watch oncoming traffic. (Hint: If traveling with a buddy, ask them to help you watch, too.)
- Breathe. The first few turns in your RV may make you jittery. Try not to panic. If another driver cuts in front of you or blocks the way, simply wait for them to move on. Be patient and “keep your head,” as my dad used to say.
Know your RV’s pivot point
Hint: It’s a very good idea to practice driving your RV in a vacant parking lot before you head out onto the road. We have these practice sessions whenever we get a new RV because they all seem to handle a bit differently. Practicing helps you know how tight a corner your RV will make, your rig’s pivot point, and more. If the open parking lot has lines, use them as a guide. Or set up traffic cones to visualize intersections. Watch the video below for more information.
Route and timing
As a general rule, we try to avoid metropolitan areas when traveling in our RV. We’d rather spend a little more time navigating around cities than driving through highly congested areas. That said, there are occasions when taking our RV through city traffic cannot be avoided. If that’s the case, we try to time our trip so as not to pass through the city during its so-called rush hours or busiest times.
Left-hand turns
I discovered early on that making a left-hand turn with our fifth wheel RV is relatively easy. I have plenty of space within the intersection to navigate the turn. In talking to owners of other types of RVs, they agree that a left turn causes them less angst than a right turn.
Right-hand turns
Right-hand turns are a bit more challenging—for me, anyway. Just go slowly, keeping in mind how your RV turns and pivots. You may need to “cheat,” or move a bit into the left lane, to safely navigate the turn, especially if there isn’t a right turning lane present. If that’s the case, first check traffic carefully. Watch for folks who may see you edging into the left lane and attempting to sneak past on your right.
Watch for turn hazards
No matter whether you’re attempting a left- or right-hand turn, watch out for turn hazards. You don’t want to run over or clip the curb with your tires. Be aware of fire hydrants, posts, highway drop-offs, potholes, signage, and especially other vehicles and pedestrians. If necessary, wait until the traffic clears to make a wider turn and avoid these hazards.
Go left first
As a last resort, consider circling the block. Go one block past your turn. Then make three left turns. This will bring you back to the original intersection where you can proceed straight ahead. (Hint: I’d consider this as a “last resort.” Circling the block on residential or dense, commercial streets would almost certainly involve navigating around parked cars and other obstacles. Yipes!)
What RV driving maneuver is the most challenging for you? Tell me in the comments below.
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When approaching a turn I say Deep and Wide, because Trailer Turns Tighter.
Yep…same with a motorhome with a toad.
In a small town with narrow streets and a stoplight (only one in town) post right on the corner where I had to turn right almost against the curb, I had to really pull WAY forward and swing out a bit first, then drive in the wrong lane making the turn to get our full sized truck in tow to clear. Fortunately, the State Highway Patrolman who had just pulled up on the street I needed to be on, after I started my maneuver, saw the situation and started backing up to give me plenty of room! 🙂 I smiled, waved, and said “Thank You” as I slipped past his cruiser half way down the block!
Hi Gayle. I enjoyed this article. I note that you state at the beginning of the article “ I encourage all of you “co-piloting RV gals”. Not all co-pilots are “gals”. In my case I am a co-pilot guy -my husband does most of the driving. Just a caution that not all RVers are heterosexual. Also some RVers may have their wives drive and the husbands are the co-pilots. Just a reminder that it’s a diverse world out there.
Noted. Thanks, Evert!
Good morning Gayle….you made no reference to the rear tail swing on a fifth wheel. I watched a 5th wheel at the gas pumps once, make a right turn away and the rear tail of the rig took out the pump. Loved the article, keep up the good work.
PS. Pay no attention to Evert…if you included all the groups labeled in today’s world the article would be twice as long and ….well….boring.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 The manuever that gives me the greatest discomfort is descending a steep hill into a left turn. The sensation is that the RV is running away. This usually happens on an interstate, but there is a similar spot on our road between our house and the interstate entrance for a northbound or eastbound journey. Closely following is a right turn from one road onto another, particularly when the second road is single-lane. It is incumbent on me to be healthy and well on all travel days because DW steadfastly refuses to consider driving the RV. 🤔😯 Thanks again, Gail, and safe travels! 🙂
Not so fast on the “easy” left turn! I made the mistake of exiting an interstate and chose an inside left turn lane onto the busy connecting highway, thinking there was only one turning lane. There was not enough room to swing out around the vehicles to my left at the stop light due to the left turning traffic on my left. I always note and choose the outside lane now, whether for a left or right turn.
Good advice, Michael. Be safe out there.
I am a retired truck driver, pulled a 53 ft trailer all over the country. I have had cops move over to give me more room to safely make a turn. I have had cops come over to help traffic move out of my way so I could safely make a turn. Now I have a 40 ft 5th wheel that we pull. Never be afraid to use extra lanes to make your turn safely, especially right hand turns. If traffic won’t make room for you, pull out and start the turn, then stop and wait for them to make room. Never make any aggressive gestures or actions. Most people will figure out what you are doing and give you the room you need. Take your time making your turn, watching the trailer to make sure it clears the curb.
Great advice! I think the type of tow vehicle makes a huge difference too. I used to help drive when we had a 1/2 ton gasser truck and a 28 ft TT. Even with a WDH it was always a white knuckle drive. The tail seemed to wag the dog. I hated it. We now have a 1 ton diesel to tow our 5th wheel and you don’t even know the trailer is back there. It feels so much safer and no stress. Now if I could just get better at backing up. 😁
Thanks for another great article. My 28 yr old son and I camp together – his truck / my fifth wheel. Due to an injury, he did all the driving for the first year. When I started driving the rig, he drove to our destination, and I drove us home. I started driving in the state park where there was almost no traffic, moved out to county roads then state highways. By the time we got into the craziness of Dallas traffic, and with his help, I was comfortable driving. I am now comfortable making solo trips and doing all the driving.
Yay! Good for you, Carla!
The worse case scenario for us is backing up into a narrow spot that has low hanging limbs or a tight/ narrow road to back from.
Having other vehicle or trees along the road make it worse especially towing a number pull.