1.1 How Offtracking Works

When a combination vehicle turns, the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels. This is called offtracking or "cheating."

The longer the vehicle, the more the rear wheels offtrack — and a trailer's wheels offtrack more than the tractor's. That is why tractor-trailers must turn wide: steer the front end wide enough that the trailer wheels do not climb the curb or strike anything on the inside of the turn, but without swinging so wide that other drivers can pass you on the inside.