Drafting a big rig

[colonelk]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

Lorry's mate, Lorry's

There was a post in here about the lights of their car could not bother a truck because they were so close the truck wouldn't be able to see them

And ShadeTreeMechanic described a scenario where the truck did kick up much to shake him off - or so he thought. I think its in the You Know You're an Ecomodder When... thread. So it has happened.

Not common I grant you.

And yes, truckers should know better.

Yeah my english sucks haha Just saying, didnt know if it was more of an American thing?

[Joenavy85]

Originally Posted by lowglider

I`m thinking of this because adaptive cruise controls (automated braking) are now becoming common and it`s quite safe to use them to draft behind trucks and save on fuel.

while they are handy, they cause people to become complacent and hence are more dangerous than somebody with a regular cruise control who has to pay attention to the distance between him and the big rig

[slurp812]

I wasn't drafting, but driving behind a tractor rig, at about 3-4 car lengths back, during rush hour traffic and we were approaching a very congested split. The traffic began to back up, and must have caught the semi driver by surprise, and he locked them up. Knowing the difference between stopping an 18 wheeler, and a Civic Si, I simply braked nice and easy, and could have easily stopped way behind him. Even empty, there is no way an 18 wheeler can stop anywhere near as fast as my Car can. I stay a safe distance back, in fact I am usually back farther than most of the people on the road. I drive in rush hour traffic in a metro area, so seeing many cars bumper to bumper is not uncommon. Just be careful out there!!!

[BHarvey]

The golden rule of motorcycling also applies to driving a cage...

"If you can't see around it, over it or through it, back WAY off."