Trailer Parking / Turnaround

[Pohney]

We’re building a second multi-purpose building. It MAY be utilized for trailer storage - I’m thinking 12-14’ sidewall height. Tall enough?

We’re also trying to sort out a driveway solution. I’m thinking a ‘Y’ shape to pull in, back around, and then pull out. If we wanted to give enough for say a 4H Head-to-Head to be able to do this - any thoughts on respective “arm” lengths and angle? We don’t have a ton of space and will end up sacrificing back yard space for this (I didn’t do the farm layout… I just have to live with it…) so we’re trying to get enough without “wasting” space. I can’t seem to find specs for this type of driveway.

[wsmoak]

Can you post a rough sketch of where things are now and what you want to add?

You might be able to get some help from your city or county – whoever works with the plans for housing developments and roads should know where the Rules for such things are. For example if a tractor-trailer is expected to make a turn, it needs a certain amount of space. Some engineer has already figured all this out and written it down, we just have to figure out where that is.

[ReSomething]

If you make the driveway in that manner it will end up looking more like a U with a tail as backing around the arms of the Y will set you up for your back wheels tracking probably inside the turn and using more space making a U. It may be that a circle or U driveway making a teardrop shape would be easier as the motion would all be forward and take up the same space. It would help to see the configuration of the property.

There is quite a lot of information out there about turning radius for various wheelbases for trucks,including pickup trucks with trailers.https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=turning+radius+for+pickup+trucks+with+trailers OP would need to go out there and measure the tow vehicle and the trailer or find specs on line for combinations that might be purchased in future, and possibly take into account whether it is gooseneck or tag along to determine where the trailer will start to turn.

Sometimes city and county officials will just tell a grading permit applicant to hire a professional, could be non-competitive or could be to avoid liability if a county employee helps and the applicant finds out the project doesn’t work well, damages the rig. Just depends on the county.

[ryansgirl]

When we design turnaround areas for large trucks (think 48’ trailers), we use a 100’ diameter circle. This keeps all wheels inside without jumping the curb or hitting the grass. You shouldn’t need any more than that.

[clanter]

you might want to consider 16 foot side walls as that would allow you if wanted to park anything that is used on the highways (13’6" is max height without permits) Also if overhead doors are to be installed they will need the two feet to allow for Normal installation for 14 ft high doors

also might want to talk with local fire department to review the driveway layout regarding radius of turns and access to structures

[Scribbler]

If I was designing trailer parking I would have a pull through or a circle driveway.

[mmeqcenter]

I’m pretty positive most horse trailers are <=8’ tall, so 12-14’ should be sufficient sidewall height. If it’s an enclosed structure, you’ll need to make sure the door height will fit the trailer as well, so you’ll want at least a 10’ tall door.

If you can’t do a full loop, I’d do a “T” shape over a “Y” shape, so people can just pull in, turn left or right until straight, then be able to back all the way across staying straight (instead of having to do the sharp turn in a Y) and then pull out forward left or right. This is how most people pull into my farm. I would estimate you’d need at least 100’ for the straight part across the top of the “T”, 50’ for each arm.

[clanter]

@mmeqcenter

I’m pretty positive most horse trailers are <=8’ tall, so 12-14’ should be sufficient sidewall height. If it’s an enclosed structure, you’ll need to make sure the door height will fit the trailer as well, so you’ll want at least a 10’ tall door.
.

correct but that future RV camper DH will want will need a taller door …also would add value if property was to be sold

[Scribbler]

@mmeqcenter

I’m pretty positive most horse trailers are <=8’ tall, so 12-14’ should be sufficient sidewall height. If it’s an enclosed structure, you’ll need to make sure the door height will fit the trailer as well, so you’ll want at least a 10’ tall door.

If you can’t do a full loop, I’d do a “T” shape over a “Y” shape, so people can just pull in, turn left or right until straight, then be able to back all the way across staying straight (instead of having to do the sharp turn in a Y) and then pull out forward left or right. This is how most people pull into my farm. I would estimate you’d need at least 100’ for the straight part across the top of the “T”, 50’ for each arm.

Yes that makes sense. That would work almost as well as a circle, as long as nothing else got parked there

[mmeqcenter]

@clanter

correct but that future RV camper DH will want will need a taller door …also would add value if property was to be sold

??? I’m so confused, I don’t see anything about OPs DH wanting an RV in the future.

[Scribbler]

@mmeqcenter

??? I’m so confused, I don’t see anything about OPs DH wanting an RV in the future.

Either there’s another thread running concurrently or its just an assumption that everyone with horses will eventually want an RV which makes sense to me!

[ReSomething]

Hmmm. Once that second barn is built you could fence off the area between the barns and the house and make a graveled or paved all purpose area. It looks like you are going to add to the house there though.
Distances and a representation of the property line would be most helpful as sometimes a complete reconfiguration of what you have is the best solution. For example the guy that had my place before me abandoned the old straight in driveway and brought the new one up and around the house.
And also are you on sewer or have a septic system and if so where is the tank and the leach lines?

[Pohney]

I’d probably be more interested in abandoning the original components if I was going to stay here forever and ever. And I suppose you never know, but I don’t want to hang my hat on it.

The most conservative thing would be to make the entire area between the existing backyard and barn available to turnaround, but we have two very active dogs, one of whom is not reliable off leash, and in thinking about what people want – I think a bigger yard would be appreciated by any future owners of this home (for kids, dogs, gardening, whatever). Which leaves me trying to be creative but effective. I suppose I could also plan on two gates into the enlarged backyard and do something like concrete pavers with grass through them to preserve the lawn look but make it driveable in most weather, but it’s an expensive solution.