Turning Radius... Why is it so bad?

[Phimosis]

Up until a month ago, I owned and drove both a Maverick and an Explorer. The Maverick turns tighter.

Please explain how a Maverick turns a tighter 40.0 foot turning circle than an explorer with a with a 38.7 foot turning circle.

Did you install steering stops on your Explorer so that it couldn’t go to full steering lock?

Or did you have oversized tires that rubbed on the fender wells and prevented you from achieving full lock?

Because if your explorer was working correctly, it had a tighter turning diameter than a Maverick. And that applies to all model years.

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[commadorebob]

Please explain how a Maverick turns a tighter 40.0 foot turning circle than an explorer with a with a 38.7 foot turning circle.

Did you install steering stops on your Explorer so that it couldn’t go to full steering lock?

Or did you have oversized tires that rubbed on the fender wells and prevented you from achieving full lock?

Because if your explorer was working correctly, it had a tighter turning diameter than a Maverick. And that applies to all model years.

I drove both vehicles. The Maverick turned tighter.

Thus ends my knowledge on the subject.

 

[fishinmagician]

it isn't bad to me! Granted I am coming from a 2004 acura TL. If you know, you know

 

[Robot-Wrangler]

I know! It's pretty embarrassing to have to do a 3 point turn while doing a basic u-turn in a compact truck. It makes me feel like I'm driving a dually Super Duty.

I have a SRW Supercab F-350 long bed and it only takes two ZIP Codes to make a U-turn. LOL! The good thing is with 37" tires, I just plow over curbs if necessary.
I don't mind the turning radius of the Maverick and it's tighter than my '02 Cadillac DeVille. (Land Yacht)

 

[basicUse]

The reason the turning raidus is so bad is a limit of the wheel well. The wheel cannot physcially clear a sharper turning angle. the geometry is good other wise with the lower control arm and steering rack. Kinda related ot dougs phenomenal write up. I guess one could space the wheel far out, ignoring all the scrub radius issues that causes. or just add rear wheel steering/ toe to the rear. Speaking of which I wonder if the fwd vs awd models turn differently given the torison beam is constantly changing the rear toe like a willy wonka rear wheel steering.
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...ive-mpg-results-39-mpg-and-1-twist-beam.5682/

 

[WJOHNM]

So, after driving the Maverick for almost a year and a half, the one thing that continues to irk me is that it seems to have the turning radius of a whale. Any particular reason it is so big? I often have trouble making u-turns on the first go.

I have had many cars over the years (including a couple of land yachts from the '70's) and I have never had a vehicle that turns so wide.

Is it due to the combination of FWD and the extra hybrid gear under the hood?

It could have something to do with the axel shafts, they dont want to put any stress on them.

 

[Master Blaster]

So, after driving the Maverick for almost a year and a half, the one thing that continues to irk me is that it seems to have the turning radius of a whale. Any particular reason it is so big? I often have trouble making u-turns on the first go.

I have had many cars over the years (including a couple of land yachts from the '70's) and I have never had a vehicle that turns so wide.

Is it due to the combination of FWD and the extra hybrid gear under the hood?

Ok, let's exclude ridiculously-small vehicles like a Honda Fit or a Chevy Spark, since they aren't really usable vehicles. The smallest vehicle that I can think of that is in common use is the Honda Civic. It has a turning circle of anywhere from 36 to 38 feet, depending upon the trim level. The Maverick is a far larger vehicle with a turning circle that is only 2 feet wider. I'd like to see some proof that any of these other "real" vehicles that you've owned have a significantly smaller turning radius.

 

[Buggy Man]

We had a 2022 Transit Connect and I was impressed with the turning radius. I think it's because the Transit was designed in Europe where they have narrower roads than in the US.
I think the Mav dose just fine considering the long wheelbase. Before the Mav I had a '22 VW GTI so I'm familiar with the difference in driving dynamics.
The Mav has slower steering than what I'm used to.

 

[Timothyd]

So, after driving the Maverick for almost a year and a half, the one thing that continues to irk me is that it seems to have the turning radius of a whale. Any particular reason it is so big? I often have trouble making u-turns on the first go.

I have had many cars over the years (including a couple of land yachts from the '70's) and I have never had a vehicle that turns so wide.

Is it due to the combination of FWD and the extra hybrid gear under the hood?

This is why we need the the manual rear wheel e-brake lever in between the seats.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

Smaller isn't always better. I had a Nash Metropolitan that had as bad a turning radius as my Transit (not Connect). I don't know what the engineers were thinking or drinking when they designed it, but the front wheels didn't turn very far, because then they'd hit the fender. (Olympic shot putter for scale)

 

[Phimosis]

Smaller isn't always better. I had a Nash Metropolitan that had as bad a turning radius as my Transit (not Connect). I don't know what the engineers were thinking or drinking when they designed it, but the front wheels didn't turn very far, because then they'd hit the fender. (Olympic shot putter for scale)

Olympic shot putter for scale.

 

[Burger2]

So, after driving the Maverick for almost a year and a half, the one thing that continues to irk me is that it seems to have the turning radius of a whale. Any particular reason it is so big? I often have trouble making u-turns on the first go.

I have had many cars over the years (including a couple of land yachts from the '70's) and I have never had a vehicle that turns so wide.

Is it due to the combination of FWD and the extra hybrid gear under the hood?

 

[MikeS1942]

Are sharp turns and maneuvering in parking garages/lots illegal there as well? Turning radius is also going to impact things like that.

Don't care, happy with turning radius!

 

[Carlitos_92]

Don't care, happy with turning radius!

I’m ecstatic for you. I am satisfied with the turning radius as well…

And in my case, it has nothing to do with which traffic maneuvers are legal or illegal here.

 

[rk06382]

My Maverick has great turning radius. It has a wheelbase of 121 inches. But my other 'truck' is a 30 foot motorhome. It is on a 2017 Ford F53 chassis with a wheelbase of 190 inches.

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