drafting big rigs

[Nick2]

It seems like whenever I get out on the highway I end up tucked behind the fastest moving rig I can find. I run quite a bit less boost and egt's fall considerably. Over a long drive this nets me 3 or 4 miles per gallon (honest). My question goes out to the guys driving these trucks, does it bother you to have me dragging from your underride bar?? How close can I get and still be in the truckers comfort range?? I notice that usually start to lose the draft 2 or 3 truck lengths back (23ft long truck :-laf ). Any thing I can do for the drivers out there saving me money at the pump -I would gladly do.



Nick

 

[C. Harlan]

It is very un-nerving having someone drafting like that, for several reasons. what would you do if I threw a tread off a tire? Did you ever think of that? the tread cap from a tire can weigh anywhere from 50-200 lbs, and I dont think you would like to try to dodge that from coming into your windshield. Second, what if I had to execute a panic stop? You would not have time to react to it. Third, what if I were to use the jakes, which do not utilize any brake lights?



Is it really worth saving a mile or 2 to the gallon, to risk your life, as well as others?



I am not trying to tell you not to, but a guy I went to high school with was doing the same thing you are doing, when the trailer had a blowout. The tread shot off, went through his windshield and put him in the hospital, and extensive reconstructive surgeries. The choice is yours, but then again, its your truck and your life. If it seems worth it to save a buck or two, then go right ahead.



-Chris-

 

[MichaelWright]

Personally, it drives me nuts to have someone drafting me. Even worse at night, the headlamps kill my eyes after awhile. And, if you run with those darn foglights on, its even worse for us guys in the big trucks. No big deal when it is actually foggy, but most guys run them on a clear night. Fords are the worse, ecspecially when they are towing something, darn saggy ford rearends, and the lights are always out of adjustment to boot. Instant migrane headache.



Again, I would rather people not draft me, ecspecially in deer country. And then there is a problem with idiots parked on the side of the road. They like to pull onto the road without checking their mirrors, and usually at a crawl. You have know idea what is going on in front of me, and you will be my last thought if something happens. If I can't get over, I'm standing on the brakes, I wouldn't want to be behind me.



And as Chris said, if we lose a tire, good luck! I have seen some cars near totaled when one of our tires lets loose. Your best, and safest bet, is to stay away from us. Either stay a couple hundred feet behind, or gas on it and get around. I like to keep at least 2 truck/trailer lenghts between me and traffic, if possible.



Mike

 

[OTRPU]

I agree with Chris, fact is I don't want nuttin close round me anytime I don't have to have. Have had people draft me while pullin a 5er. Have had others just hang out to my left and alittle behind me. Think these guys are just curious bout the sleeper. I don't mean to be unfriendly, but I may need that lane for an excape route, you just never know when you'll need it. I usually just tap the brake pedal to release cruise and slow alittle. Not many people want to go slower, just faster. I think everybody drives too fast. Don't make no difference, all I can control is me, so that's what I do. Rarely go faster than 65 when loaded, most of the time I'm locked in cruise at 60. I've changed my mind, used to run the Interstates at 55, most the time a PITA for everybody, finally decided on 60. . . and I speed up going through construction zones so I don't hold up the big trucks.



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[24V-DSL]

I never draft. I can't stand not seeing what's going on ahead.

 

[Joe G.]

I was a ways behind a big rig on I5 a couple of years ago when it threw a tread up in the air. It flew over the car in front of me and just missed me. I didn't have time to duck. If anyone had been close behind the truck they would have been in trouble. If I'm behind one of those things I stay back and let the driver see me in his mirrors. Drafting one is a BAD idea!!!

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I can't stand not being able to see what's in front of me, so I pass big trucks... if I'm stuck behind one for whatever reason, I go to the outside of the lane so that the driver can see where I am.



I will say that the best fuel mileage my old 1st gen ever got was going UP over the continental divide at 75-80mph. my dad was driving a leg out to California so I could sleep... he said he was stuck on the guy's *** the whole time. never let him drive the truck again, but we got 22mpg on that leg, and averaged 19 on every other leg! LOL!



Forrest

 

[AfterBurner]

Moral of the story: drafting is a bad idea.

 

[ndurbin]

When I did some driving last summer for the coop I didn't mind people drafting me as long as I could see them clearly in my mirrors. But that didn't happen to often since it was almost all country roads and dirt roads. But if I were to drive up and down the intersate all day I would feel the same as the other guys. And when I am following big rigs I usually try to keep it to where I can always see atleast one of their mirrors and don't hang on their tail any longer than I have to. I also don't waste time passing them either and try to make it easy if they pass me (by moving to the right and flashing my lights when their passed).



Nathan

 

[Kennywould]

Drafting should be left on the circle track, even those guy's get screwed up now and then!!!

 

[Nick2]

Well I guess that solves that... . I had no idea it made you guys that upset. If I did I would've never done it. Had to ask you know, it's the only way to find out sometimes. Again, I appreciate the info - and I'll keep out of your mirrors.



Nick

 

[GFrance]

Yep I agree with all the other profesional drivers that replied. I"m hauling 11,600 gallons of gasoline & I still get dummies following too close. Sometimes I just get into the jake which makes them go around. Sometimes I shake the steering wheel a little & with a B-train gets my trailer to wiggle that will get them to go find someone else to draft. If I get a real persistent guy I will drift over the fog line & run the rumble strip a while. Since it rains so much here they get more road spray then they care to stay behind.

 

[bmoeller]

I hate drafters in the big truck, as well as tailgaters on my butt with the Ram. I've had people so close (in the big truck), that the ONLY way I even knew they were there, was a shadow. That was it.



Same goes for the idiots that ride in a blind spot. That's a good way to wind up dead if I have to make a lane change or need it as an escape route and can't see you. The semi driver may not even feel the collision and keep on going.



Part of the reason for the 370s, was to clear off tailgaters. They WILL and DO get smoked. Especially if you are so close that I can't even see your HOOD with me having a flatbed.

 

[QRTRHRS]

It's getting to be that time of year up north when it's easy to shake someone who's hanging up your butt. A couple of snows and you start to get that grit build up on the shoulder. Get my drift?

 

[AMink]

My dad was behind a car that was following to close to a semi. The semi hit a 2x4 that was in the road. Put it through the grill, radiator, and fan. It didn't stop til it hit the engine block. A few inches higher? Who knows. I like to leave a big margin between me and the guy in front, whether it's a big rig or a Yugo. Just a lot safer and I want to see my kids at night.

 

[juicedcummins]

Slip in behind most of us in the North for any length time and odds are you will need a windshield.

 

[catoiler]

Heres one a little off topic,What about the yahoo truck driver that thinks he has a 600hp pete when he only has a 200hp freightliner and jumps out to pass only to get up to the back of the other truck and is to stupid to fall back behind the other truck and stays there for a few miles. After having a class A for the past 25 yrs and not driving otr for the last 9yrs I don't miss all the "Drive for us and in 2 weeks get your class A" inexperanced and rude drivers. Back on topic drafters almost always would go around after a little slip to the right and a few rocks get kicked up!I lost a LT rear outer trailer tire at about 60mph and cleared a 4 lane fwy real quick!Them things have 110 lbs in them and when they go look out!

 

[MichaelWright]

Here's a drafting/following to close incident that happened on the OH Turnpike 2-3 years ago. Big Pete, scootin along at 70, ConWay pulling doubles, following Pete to close. Swift truck on shoulder, guess what happened? Pete swerved, missed dumb -ss Swift as he, from a dead stop, creeps into traffic. ConWay, rearends 15mph Swift at 70 mph. ConWay never had a chance to hit his brakes. ConWay driver did live, last I heard he was still in body cast and comotose. OH State Police left the burnt out MS Carriers trailer that Swift was pulling on the shoulder for near a week, for all to see.



Don't draft or tailgate! And watch out for Swift trucks. That company averages a fatality every seven to ten days according to Land Line. Your 2 week truck driver training graduate making . 23 cents a mile. Just keep your distance, and when you pass, PASS. And that goes for you guys in the big trucks! I hate a guy that thinks 5 miles is a suitable distance to get around another truck. If you are that afraid of getting a ticket, or you are governed at 1 mph faster then the guy you are trying to pass, stay in the darn granny lane. Had to put up with that crap tonite in pea soup thick fog, idiots!



Mike (In Rant Mode, having first beer and readjusting my shot nerves)

 

[C. Harlan]

yeah, like when a Schneider truck is trying to pass a Swift, or US Express Truck... GRR!!!!! What frustration! Then they get mad at you when you go by them 'cruising' at about 75-85 MPH. . I sure miss my old 379. Ok, I aint going to lie... I really miss it. All the windshield time, all the great customers, all the great scenery headed down to the coast- who thought they could outrun me when I wanted a second look. . hehe, It didnt happen. Gosh I miss those days. Oh well, I am done reminiscing now. Back to being on the subject.



I do recall having a blowout at 94 MPH on Memorial Day Weekend 2001 at the 78 mile marker, I-37 going southbound with 46,000 lbs of railroad rails on board. When that tread let go, it went about 15 feet high, into orbit! From my perspective, it looked pretty cool! Glad no one was behind me; but then again you cant draft off a flatbed- a Stepdeck at that!



I gauruntee you one thing- you couldnt miss it at night! The trailer alone had 35 lights down each side and 15 across the back. It looked awesome, and felt good rolling down the road with that many candles burning! Oh well, those days are over, and I've got 2 gravy jobs now, so Life is still good!



-Chris-

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

Out of curiousity, does drafting increase the fuel consumption of the truck in the lead being drafted?



Thanks,

Dan