What are your tips for merging with traffic when the lane you're approaching is at a near-45 degree angle from your lane? For example, a highway on or off ramp. As you get close to merging, you have a huge blind spot.

Use your mirrors and/or turn your head...no different than in a car...Dennis

Pretty much as Dennis stated. When I'm coming up an on ramp onto a highway, I have one eye on my left mirror, my back-up camera on, the blinker going and gaining speed the whole way. It really isn't difficult, and the majority of drivers are courteous. Not to mention, we are much bigger then most of the other vehicles out there...they will move...either out of courtesy or fear!!

Same as above. Usually merging with my Peterbilt long hood pulling a 53' Reefer behind it. Makes my 40' Bluebird seem tiny! No problem. Biggest key is SPEED! Get up to the speed of the traffic. If you do, then you only need a little hole to fit into. However, if you are only doing 20mph, and the traffic is doing 65, you need a BIG hole! MUCH more dangerous.

summerhouse wrote:Not to mention, we are much bigger then most of the other vehicles out there...they will move...either out of courtesy or fear!! That attitude is what causes accidents. All highway on ramps I have seen have a YIELD sign on the approach ramps. Have a safe day! Obey all the rules of the road.

Pulling 53' or tugging our little 19' TT, I take the same approach. Use the ramp to get up to speed, then merge. I will stop on that ramp if traffic is so heavy that merging is not safe ( I have to yeild, not them), but if there is room for traffic to move over...I am coming out. Traffic doing 70, me only doing 50 mph, Oh well, so sorry, go around or hit your brakes.Tractor trailer or travel trailer---it takes a bit to get em moving. Momentum is your friend. Most people respect that, I am not afraid to force the issue. If you try and WAIT until absolutely no one has to slow down, or move over---You will never get onto the road. Pick a time were traffic can see you, have time to respond, then boldly step out.More to the OP's point.... Typical merging from the right, normally allows you the ability to lean forward, back, or look out the window. Either will give you a differnt perspective, and eliminate many blind spots. Merging from the left will have more blind spots, so you need to recognize these approachs before you enter them, do a traffic "count", no where you plan to fit in, and be prepared that everything you think you saw may have changed by the time you get to the actual merge point. Put your head on a swivel, and always have an alternative "out".

Tips for merging | Good Sam Community

114 Replies

3oaks
Explorer
Aug 02, 2015
summerhouse wrote:
Not to mention, we are much bigger then most of the other vehicles out there...they will move...either out of courtesy or fear!!
That attitude is what causes accidents.
All highway on ramps I have seen have a YIELD sign on the approach ramps. Have a safe day! Obey all the rules of the road.
mpierce
Explorer
Aug 02, 2015
Same as above. Usually merging with my Peterbilt long hood pulling a 53' Reefer behind it. Makes my 40' Bluebird seem tiny! No problem. Biggest key is SPEED! Get up to the speed of the traffic. If you do, then you only need a little hole to fit into. However, if you are only doing 20mph, and the traffic is doing 65, you need a BIG hole! MUCH more dangerous.
summerhouse
Explorer
Aug 02, 2015
Pretty much as Dennis stated. When I'm coming up an on ramp onto a highway, I have one eye on my left mirror, my back-up camera on, the blinker going and gaining speed the whole way. It really isn't difficult, and the majority of drivers are courteous. Not to mention, we are much bigger then most of the other vehicles out there...they will move...either out of courtesy or fear!!
Executive45
Explorer III
Aug 02, 2015
Use your mirrors and/or turn your head...no different than in a car...Dennis

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Tips for merging

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