Turning Radius

[D Borland]

with a limited engineering background, I would think the turning radius would be dependent on several safety factors. A three wheeler should not have the ability to too easily roll at higher speeds. if the ability to turn too sharply exists, the manufacturer opens themselves up for some significant liabilities for poor design. This is perfectly acceptable to me. A tryke bike has a similar problem with a larger turning radius. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Lil4X]

I've got to pull out the specs on several vehicles in our family over the past 25 years. One of the largest turning radius' was on my AWD Lexus RX 300. I remember it was at least as large as our previous 3/4 ton 4WD Suburbans. Now the Lexus was was a mid-size, the 'Burb a monster. . .

The real-world test was pulling into a parking space at the supermarket - something you do several times a week. With the RX 300, it required a 3-point turn. That's pretty bad for a relatively small SUV.

Owners raised hell on forums or in dealerships across the country, but there was no fix available. Four years later the RX 330 and onward were much improved - and were superior shopping vehicles that were quite nimble, even on a slightly longer wheelbase.

It's not so much the u-turn, but that 90-degree cut into a parking space that's critical.

Edit: According to Edmunds the turning radius for the RX 300 was 20.6', for the RX 330, 18.7'. A couple of feet may seem small, but in practice, that's a HUGE difference. But for real wretched excess, my 1982 K-20 'Burb "boasted" an epic 23.9' turning radius. Let's just say that you didn't want to get that beast into tight quarters - you'd over-rev your arms getting out.

 

[Charlie G]

I've got to pull out the specs on several vehicles in our family over the past 25 years. One of the largest turning radius' was on my AWD Lexus RX 300.

The turning radius on the RX 300 was 20.6 '.

 

[JEBar]

keeping in mind that the Elio is designed for commuting over regular roads, a 19' turning radius will not make it agile but it should be serviceable .... for our use it should be fine but folks who wish to use it for tight turn, high speed operations may well want to look into aftermarket mods

Jim

 

[Lil4X]

The turning radius on the RX 300 was 20.6 '.

. . . and that means you needed to be well over twenty feet away from a line of parked cars to turn into a perpendicular space between them, not even considering the front bumper swinging wide.

That takes an uncommonly wide aisle between rows, at least 32 feet.

 

[D Borland]

I can't remember the last time that I was concerned about "turning radius".

 

[wayne kemp]

I can't remember the last time that I was concerned about "turning radius".

I can. It was 1967 and I just passed a cop going 90mph. The turn worked but the cop was smarter than I figured on.

 

[D Borland]

I can't remember the last time that I was concerned about "turning radius".

so, those days are long gone?

 

[JEBar]

I can't remember the last time that I was concerned about "turning radius".

for years we towed our 5th wheel with a Chevy 3500 crew cab, long bed dually .... while traveling it was our only vehicle and we leaned quickly that its large turning radius had to be allowed for .... successfully getting into and out of tight parking places, traveling crooked roads, backing into areas and such were all things that took to some getting used to .... believe it or not, such things are much easier with our current Sportchassis because its turning radius .... it has been reported that the turning radius for an Elio is 19' which is over 2' larger than our Chevy dually .... for many drivers handling it will take some getting used to

Jim

 

[Rickb]

I wonder if the Elio engineers ever considered the single rear wheel for steering the vehicle......much like the Toyota i-Road. If that were the case it could have a zero turning radiius. The Elio ZTR! lol
I'm sure it's impossible with out the lean...........but a funny thought.