How do you handle EXTREME tailgaters?

[Arragonis]

I think we are tapping a similar thing, except I would always look to the 2 second rule when following (drafting) someone else - it also means that trucks can see your lights behind them at night. And there is quite a large area of low drag behind a large truck even at those distances.

The tailgating aspect comes from impatience and trying to force the person in front to speed up or get out of the way even if there is nowhere to go.

So there is a difference, in my view.

[ShadeTreeMech]

Originally Posted by Ladogaboy

It is not a matter of condemning or condoning drafting; drafting is listed as one of the hypermiling techniques. No one can question the effectiveness of properly implemented drafting (all you need is an instant mpg gauge to see that). I'm simply pointing out the irony in complaining about others doing something that can be interpreted as an effective technique (and an often used one) by the very people who are complaining.

I wonder how many ecomodders drive semis....

[skyking]

Originally Posted by ShadeTreeMech

I wonder how many ecomodders drive semis....

Raises hand......

[Ladogaboy]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

I think we are tapping a similar thing, except I would always look to the 2 second rule when following (drafting) someone else - it also means that trucks can see your lights behind them at night. And there is quite a large area of low drag behind a large truck even at those distances.

The tailgating aspect comes from impatience and trying to force the person in front to speed up or get out of the way even if there is nowhere to go.

So there is a difference, in my view.

I subscribe to the two second rule; however, when it comes to semis, my first and foremost rule is to make sure that I am visible in at least one mirror. And again, we get back to the distinction being made based on intent. My problem with that is that, sure, you know your intent... but does the other driver?

And according to my instant fuel gauge, there is a significant difference between being in a close wake (can't see the mirrors, less than two-second gap) and following at what I consider to be a safe distance. For reference, I was tracking 30-32 mpg at a safe distance versus 38-40 mpg at close distance in a car that is normally seeing 28 mpg without drafting at those speeds.

[Kincurd]

During winter conditions and when they can pass me, I'll keep slowing down, even if it's super slow. I have to take into account they might slide when they suddenly have to stop.


I'm aware of drafting, and how it might help me having them behind me, but safety comes first (I never draft, at least not to where I'm closer than 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front of me).

I get a lot of tailgaters when I'm pulse&gliding and they swing around me in a huff, then they end up at the same red light.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by skyking

Raises hand......

Also.

Which is why I take umbrage at the truck drafting threads which assume the concerns of the truck driver are non-existent. Petty, if they actually exist, by comparison to someone elses tiny profit. But, hey, this is America.

my first and foremost rule is to make sure that I am visible in at least one mirror.

The mirrors on both sides, Bub. You won't stay visible is otherwise the point

.

[p38fln]

This thread just made me think of my pet peeve when driving -
BRIDGES!

There's one here that's particularly bad for this. Usually this is how it happens - I'll be in the slow lane, with the cruise on, at 55 MPH being passed by EVERYTHING in sight. As soon as the roadway starts to climb to the top of the bridge, a few people start to slow down, and when the bridge narrows (It doesn't have emergency lanes but the driving lanes are full sized), I'm still in the passing lane, doing 55 MPH, and passing EVERYONE - then when the road lowers again, they all pass me again.

I don't know what it is, something about being high in the air makes people drive slower. Drives me crazy!

[UFO]

Originally Posted by p38fln

This thread just made me think of my pet peeve when driving -
BRIDGES!

There's one here that's particularly bad for this. Usually this is how it happens - I'll be in the slow lane, with the cruise on, at 55 MPH being passed by EVERYTHING in sight. As soon as the roadway starts to climb to the top of the bridge, a few people start to slow down, and when the bridge narrows (It doesn't have emergency lanes but the driving lanes are full sized), I'm still in the passing lane, doing 55 MPH, and passing EVERYONE - then when the road lowers again, they all pass me again.

I don't know what it is, something about being high in the air makes people drive slower. Drives me crazy!

It's a psychological thing. As soon as the perception of room on the sides closes in, regardless of whether the driving lane changes size, people instinctively slow. I run into the same thing in Denver through construction zones; there is one in particular where the speed limit is lowered to 45 and then heads downhill, but people are still hauling butt at 60. I start coasting just before the peak at 45mph, and at the bottom the shoulders go away everyone else is braking hard. If the traffic is not too heavy I'll have picked up speed to 50mph at the bottom just starting to catch everyone -- I usually will not have to brake.

It's strange to see so many mindless cattle on the road.

[user removed]

Same thing with tunnels, especially those that go underwater and are 55 years old. Longest glide around here and the dummies ruin it.

regards
Mech

[roosterk0031]

The Bong is a big high bridge I can see the tendencey for people to slow down. I only cross it a once a every few years, was up there last weekend for wife's grand mother funeral, doubt I'll be back except for funerals. Duluth/Superior would be a nice place to live.