Tractor Trailer Delivery, Clearance Needed

Coalbrokdale · Post by **Coalbrokdale** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 2:44 pm

How can I determine if a tractor trailer can backup into my driveway? What is the space requirements for a Tractor trailer when backing into a residential driveway off a street. Any Idea how I can measure this. I have no problem backing up my Suburban and 30' long boat & trailer into and up my driveway from the street. But I'm not to sure about a 70' tractor trailer. Are there any measurements I can take?

I have also back in a Class A motorhome before, up the same driveway if that is any help

009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 2:52 pm

Good question. I'd like to know too. I have had frieght tractor trailers back into my driveway, but the tractor's right front tire must drive into a 3 foot ditch on opposite side of road. Some drivers can make the turn, some drivers refuse to, and I have to unload delivery on the road.
Is a tractor trailer load of 25 ton, longer than a normal 40 or 50 ft box trailer?
Also, you have to make sure you have overhead room where the coal will be dumped, no wires.

Chris F.

coal berner · Post by **coal berner** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 2:57 pm

Coalbrokdale wrote:How can I determine if a tractor trailer can backup into my driveway? What is the space requirements for a Tractor trailer when backing into a residential driveway off a street. Any Idea how I can measure this. I have no problem backing up my Suburban and 30' long boat & trailer into and up my driveway from the street. But I'm not to sure about a 70' tractor trailer. Are there any measurements I can take?

Width length and height Make sure no overhanging Power line or tree limbs tractor trailer 70 ft it will need 30 to 40 ft clearance obove when raised .

samhill · Post by **samhill** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 2:59 pm

25 ton of coal (if thats what you want delivered) will fit in a tri-axle dump truck that can get in most places.

009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 3:03 pm

samhill wrote:25 ton of coal (if thats what you want delivered) will fit in a tri-axle dump truck that can get in most places.

Good info on the triaxle.

I got a buddy with a tandom axle, he knows he can get at least 18 ton on it.

Chris F.

Coalbrokdale · Post by **Coalbrokdale** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 3:08 pm

I can get a Tractor Trailer cheep since they are hauling apples back from my town. A triaxle would be much more, since they would have a dead haul back. I have nothing overhead to worry about just making the turn into the driveway, they would need to backin in order to dump.

coal berner · Post by **coal berner** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 3:44 pm

samhill wrote:25 ton of coal (if thats what you want delivered) will fit in a tri-axle dump truck that can get in most places.

Most Tri axels drivers will not haul out of state or over the road that is why they use tractor trailer for long hauls .

coal berner · Post by **coal berner** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 3:51 pm

DVC500_at_last wrote:
samhill wrote:25 ton of coal (if thats what you want delivered) will fit in a tri-axle dump truck that can get in most places.
Good info on the triaxle.

I got a buddy with a tandom axle, he knows he can get at least 18 ton on it.

Chris F.

tandom axel will be 18 to 20 tons The Tri axel that they use for hauling coal use a bigger box with higher sides on them
25 ton max give or take a ton It will Depend on who the driver is. A tractor trailer load can be 25 to 30 depening who the company is and driver is PA Law is 80 thousand lbs G.V.W. On Highways and interstates

samhill · Post by **samhill** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 3:58 pm

73,280 lb.s for a tri-axle, I thought we were talking all in Pa. I`d try a couple of dispatchers & ask about tri-axles. I hauled a lot of different loads when I drove & got a good bit off hauls by yelling over the CB that I was running empty. Never know.

Cap · Post by **Cap** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 5:05 pm

Should be able to find a backing/turning radius chart somewhere on the web to get an idea if you are close. But it is always 100% easier if the driver can back using his good side as oppose the to blind side so he can judge the rear better. Also, can you driveway take the weight? 40,000lbs empty, maybe 80,000lbs.full?

Pete69 · Post by **Pete69** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 5:39 pm

Turning radius will be different from tractor to tractor. I delivered furniture for mayflower moving company, in residential areas all over the country. Using my short wheelbase cab over tractor and a 48 ft trailer I was rarely able to hit a residential driveway. most deliveries had to be made off the street.

Freddy · Post by **Freddy** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 5:48 pm

My driveway is 37 feet wide at the road. The road is 25' across with 5 feet of ditch.. the third try he got backed in, then two cut & fills he was straight. He used every inch of space & at one point his left front wheel was scary as it was too far in the ditch. I've had several semi's in my yard over the years, this one was by far the largest, that darn sleeper cab.

Pete69 · Post by **Pete69** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 5:55 pm

If you don't have a wide driveway and a good size shoulder on the side of the road, forget about it!!

TimV · Post by **TimV** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 6:02 pm

Are you getting a load of bulk in a dump trailer/live floor or a van with a load of pallets? If you have a choice you could ask for a single axle tractor to deliver it. If pallets they should be able to make the turn if its at least 12 or wider at the entrance from the street . Light traffic would also help. The milk transists here are all tractors with sleepers and they have to back into some pretty tight places.
Mainly if the driver is a easy going guy and doesnt mind a little extra he usually can back into spot you would never think possible.
Just be absolutely clear about where you want it delivered to before you order it and be sure it written on your contract. Some times you order stuff and the company ,makes promises on what a private company will or wont do when its up to the carrier so just be.
If you getting a walking floor load or a frameless dump may make the difference on ability to get in

009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Fri. Feb. 20, 2009 6:19 pm

Freddy wrote:My driveway is 37 feet wide at the road. The road is 25' across with 5 feet of ditch.. the third try he got backed in, then two cut & fills he was straight. He used every inch of space & at one point his left front wheel was scary as it was too far in the ditch. I've had several semi's in my yard over the years, this one was by far the largest, that darn sleeper cab.

Yep, thats the trouble with my driveway.... ok, for the short tractors to back into. But if its got a sleeper, no can do. the radius is just too large for those behemoths to make the turn.