Thread: drafting semi's
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Old 12-26-2011, 10:42 PM   #37 (permalink)
slowmover
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JasonG View Post
Side note on not hanging out next to a big rig, ever see a tire come apart?

Thanks Slowmover !
Welcome.

Next time any of you pass a tractor-trailer, be aware that each tire on your side of his vehicle is carrying near to 4,500-lbs. Times 9. The oldest tires are on the trailer, and they get younger as you go forward, axle pair by axle pair; second re-tread, to first re-tread, to new in standard practice. As you come up on a tractor-trailer look at the tires: see any wobbles, bulges or (yes) missing tires? Haul butt, boys, if you're feeling brave.

And to the above: Don't assume you can read the truck drivers mind based on truck movement. In most cases you're messing with someone with more driving skill than you've imagined is possible. You don't know that you don't know. Were your income dependent on it, your skill would also increase (conversely, trucks from Swift, Werner, Stevens, Schneider, Crete and some others are populated by low skill rookies; double-beware), so if that driver wants to F with you he can, before you're aware of it in many instances.

A slight rise in the road, a downshift, engage engine brake lightly and your ecomoddin' headlights will be kissing mudflaps before you realize it. Essentially, once the car "disappears" from view, the evil truck driver can stomp the service brake and you won't have time to pucker. Not all big trucks are loaded heavy, and can stop much faster than you expect.

IOW, don't assume that because your rolling beercan will hypothetically stop sooner than a big truck that it infers invulnerability. The above example is only one way that big trucks could screw with you, highly unlikely though that is.

Unsaid are the mechanical problems that could cause a truck to rapidly decelerate.

Plus, it ain't because of ETD's that the ICC Bumper below the deck is now required:




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Last edited by slowmover; 12-26-2011 at 10:49 PM..
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