PPV Poor Turning Radius

[OldSchool73]

My 2012 Tahoe PPV seems to have AWFUL turning radius. It’s about the only gripe I have with it this far. Is there anything that I should check or anything I can do to make parking this beast a little better? It’s SUPER tough to back out if I’m between cars and there’s a row behind me and the parking spots are perpendicular to the row (meaning not slanted). I wonder if an alignment would do anything. The truck has new tires and tracks pretty straight on the highway. Curious if anyone has opinions or just tell me it is what it is with these?

 

[mikez71]

That's weird, I always thought my Tahoe had a fairly decent turning radius.. Can you make U-turns OK?

Tight parking spaces without much space behind, can be a pain..

 

[Marky Dissod]

... wonder if an alignment would do anything?

Among other things it might unearth a hidden concern regarding your turning radius.
Just remember, with a 116.0" wheelbase, even with a PPV's slightly undersize tires - 265/60R17 for PPV, vs 265/70R17 for all others -
it's never gonna have a Ford PIU's turning radius (unless you add some oversteer).

 

[OldSchool73]

I did move to 70 series tires. I think I’m going to get it aligned and see what cones of it. But if anyone has suggestions beyond that please hmu.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I did move to 70 series tires. I think I’m going to get it aligned and see what cones of it. But if anyone has suggestions beyond that please hmu.

Have them check steering 'stops', anything else that might interfere with lock-to-lock / tight turning radius.

 

[ChrisSRT]

sounds more like an issue with a lack of space to be able to turn due to the size of vehicle. Try backing into the space, that way you have the open space of the drive to use the available steering.

 

[OldSchool73]

Have them check steering 'stops', anything else that might interfere with lock-to-lock / tight turning radius.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[OldSchool73]

sounds more like an issue with a lack of space to be able to turn due to the size of vehicle. Try backing into the space, that way you have the open space of the drive to use the available steering.

Yep I definitely park with the vehicle pointing so I can drive out instead of reverse out. Funny I just parked this way right before reading your post! Thanks

 

[Marky Dissod]

Only time I ever park in a parking lot 'nose in arse out' is if the point is to load lots of stuff in the back and it can't be loaded any other way.
Otherwise it's always 'arse in nose out'. Nearly always safer and less time-consuming for everyone else that way.

Sometimes I wonder if the front wheel steering modifications made to 'drift cars' could in any way be made to our vehicles?
Don't the front wheels of Medium-Duty 'Silverados' turn like 60 degrees?

 

[mikez71]

Install hydraulic handbrake and drift her in there!

Last time I thought I saw a little bump on lower arm that might be a stop, but I'm thinking you wouldn't get a whole lot by grinding it down..(assuming its hitting it)

Steering rack has a set number of turns lock to lock?
3 to 3-1/4 I believe..

Dunno..

 

[Joseph Garcia]

My 2012 Tahoe PPV seems to have AWFUL turning radius. It’s about the only gripe I have with it this far. Is there anything that I should check or anything I can do to make parking this beast a little better? It’s SUPER tough to back out if I’m between cars and there’s a row behind me and the parking spots are perpendicular to the row (meaning not slanted). I wonder if an alignment would do anything. The truck has new tires and tracks pretty straight on the highway. Curious if anyone has opinions or just tell me it is what it is with these?

Before you start firing the service or parts expenditures cannon, I suggest that you identify if you have a 'real' turning radius issue, or a 'perceived' turning radius issue. The OEM turning radius of your truck is readily available published data, and I suggest that you obtain it. Then, go to an empty parking lot and physically measure your truck's actual turning radius. Then, you will have your answer.

If it turns out that you have a real turning radius issue, then you can pursue potential remedies.

 

[OldSchool73]

Before you start firing the service or parts expenditures cannon, I suggest that you identify if you have a 'real' turning radius issue, or a 'perceived' turning radius issue. The OEM turning radius of your truck is readily available published data, and I suggest that you obtain it. Then, go to an empty parking lot and physically measure your truck's actual turning radius. Then, you will have your answer.

If it turns out that you have a real turning radius issue, then you can pursue potential remedies.

Makes sense. Thanks for the input! I think I’m hearing what I am going through may be normal. I think having the big push bar up front is also making me paranoid I’m going to clip someone with it while entering or exiting spots. But I don’t want to get rid of it bc it looks cool as shit and also protects the front end.