drafting semi's

[99metro]

Not sure if I already said this...

I was following a semi a bit too close back when I was young and dumb. He blew a tire and it hit my windshield then it whipped around my open driver's window. Could have broken my neck.

Doing the math, you should be at least 3 tractor-trailer lengths behind them, or roughly 180-200 feet. You can still get the benefit of drafting without having to "drive by tail lights".

Typically, on the open highway, I will be about 1/4 to 1/2 mile behind the big rigs. Gives everyone a chance to avoid ramp traffic safely, gives plenty of warning to change lanes for emergencies/flat tire carnage, whatnot.

I was never a trucker, but I was a frequent long distance interstate driver. Nearly every male in my family is or were truck drivers so I hear lots of stories about how crazy those 4-wheelers are.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by 99metro

3 tractor-trailer lengths behind them, or roughly 180-200 feet.

Yes. Follow. Do not tail gate. 2.5 seconds.

[Flakbadger]

I "draft" whenever possible, but I generally keep about three seconds between me and the trailer. Gives me a boost and I cruise with an extra 20MPG, and usually keeps me from getting tailgated in the right lane, too. People see a semi and get out of there.

There is the problem of other stupid idiots merging in between me and the truck, because clearly if there's a space, someone must occupy it!

[skyking]

Not much of a problem in my state, as the trucks have a lower speed limit. Hardly anyone else wants to hang out there.
We recently took the 5th wheel and truck on a long trip to the redwoods and wine country in California. One time I let a truck on the freeway and then moved back to the right within a 100 feet or so in moderate traffic.
I had the cruise set and the results were dramatic. The boost was up around 10 PSI with the trailer on, and it dropped like a rock down to 4 PSI! As he kept pulling ahead, I could watch the boost ( and fuel usage ) go up. It was a great little graphic demonstration of the effects, and especially on another large rig like the 5th wheel.

[slowmover]

You need four seconds as a minimum. As in above posts, I have seen -- as a truck driver -- what happens to those following too closely. Stay the hell away from big trucks in all instances. Minimize exposure in all ways and from all directions.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Minimize exposure in all ways and from all directions.

That's why I like to follow. Any animal that might run out will be taken out by the lead vehicle.

[ever_green]

saw a nissan leaf tailgating a massive semi truck in horrible rain and fog today at 70mph speeds. I was just cruising at 55. a couple minutes later I saw the nissan leaf again stopped on the shoulder with emergency lights on and a shattered windshield :\

[slowmover]

A matter pf "when" not "if".

[nemo]

Years ago driving through Cincinnati in rush hour traffic up ahead a chain broke on a flat bed load.The chain binder was sent flying into my lane bouncing, impact was inevitable there was no opening right or left. Luckily the front slope on the hood of the Spitfire hurled it over top of the car. While this was going on the driver of the truck had locked the trailer brake trying to get to the side of the road. How he made it across three lanes of traffic without running someone over or loosing his load just luck. Upon examination of the Spitfire there no dent only a paint scratch.

Care need to be taken not only around semi trucks but also any vehicle with a load or towing a trailer. But that is a story for another day.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by sendler

That's why I like to follow. Any animal that might run out will be taken out by the lead vehicle.

That is no guarantee of safety. My niece was following a car that hit a deer. The deer bounced off the hood and windshield of that car, sailed over the roof, and crashed straight through the windshield of her car. It landed in the back seat, where it proceeded to kick and bleed and, eventually, die.

She was extremely fortunate not to be seriously hurt. The car was totaled.