Big truck passing

MickUpi wrote:
I done several searches on the following topic but could not find anything on it. I am usually driving in the right lane on the interstate or a four lane road. When a big truck passes an the left as it gets about even with me our rig is pushed to the right. It's usually just slight but sometimes it be a fairly hard push.

Even just a foot or two difference in the space between your unit and the truck can make a huge difference, here’s how to exploit that.

When the truck pulls out to pass you, ease over and crowd the left side of the lane, the passing driver will naturally do the same thing hugging the left side of their lane. Then once the other driver gets up next to you ease your unit over to the right side of your lane until it’s past you.

Doing this successfully will create a 6’ish foot gap between the 2 vehicles and almost if not completely eliminate the problem.

My father-in-law told me the following many-many moons ago when I was first starting out.

When a big truck is getting ready to pass, do the following:
As soon as he gets about 1/2 way up your side, take your foot off the gas for a second or 2 , then get back into it. This will break the suction. You may find that you have to allow the truck to get a bit further towards your front end before getting back into it.. It will take some practice, but I found it to work nicely.

spelling edit

Second the emotion on taking foot off the gas pedal for a few seconds to regain control of the "sway" caused by passing trucks. I discovered this trick while traversing that windy Cajon Pass as trucks blew by me, while I putt putted up that grade in the slower than slow lane.

MickUpi wrote:
I done several searches on the following topic but could not find anything on it. I am usually driving in the right lane on the interstate or a four lane road. When a big truck passes an the left as it gets about even with me our rig is pushed to the right. It's usually just slight but sometimes it be a fairly hard push. It's only scared me once on a US highway. It happened right as I and the truck driver crossed a bridge. After a rather strong push I am estimating the side of our MH was less than a foot from the bridge and it was a bit scary. Some big trucks don't blow our MH at all. I'm not sure what's up with that. Our MH is 28 feet long and 11 feet 7 inches high. I have noticed bridges on US highways can be much more narrow than on interstates.

Part of the issue is the fact the average RV driver does not know where the side of their vehicles are.
Pulling a 14 foot wide load, on US highways the only time the permit will say take the center of a bridge is when the load is also heavy. If you started with your 102 inch wide rig in the center of your lane you would need to be pushed near 4 ft to get that close to the side of bridge.

One reason some trucks push more is the streamlining of the truck. But even my old Classic Pete, the suck at the back of van trailer was more then push from front. Worse was my truck/full trailer combo. I would not pass a TT, as long as the lights on it worked right. Now, the ones that passed me sometimes put on a dance show.

A couple weeks ago while driving the coach back from Florida an 18 wheeler passed and his trailer rear axle was cocked enough so that even though his rig was centered in his lane his trailer tires were riding on the white lane marker. These are the times I wish there was a way to contact him. I flashed my lights but he never noticed.

That is normal and is caused by the trucks bow wave of air. You will be pushed out and pulled in by large trucks at speed. We are affected much less due to the aerodynamic shape of the Airstream trailer we tow. It does happen with all classes of RV. Less with some more with others.

We too have felt that when we had a short bed F250 towing a 32' TT, then we switched to a Hensley Arrow (not advertising it), and that push stopped. We now have an F350 long bed dually towing a 35' FW and never ever feel it.

Remember the paddles used by the principle to swat unruly kids? Those holes he drilled in it had a purpose......

MickUpi wrote:
I done several searches on the following topic but could not find anything on it. I am usually driving in the right lane on the interstate or a four lane road. When a big truck passes an the left as it gets about even with me our rig is pushed to the right. It's usually just slight but sometimes it be a fairly hard push. It's only scared me once on a US highway. It happened right as I and the truck driver crossed a bridge. After a rather strong push I am estimating the side of our MH was less than a foot from the bridge and it was a bit scary. Some big trucks don't blow our MH at all. I'm not sure what's up with that. Our MH is 28 feet long and 11 feet 7 inches high. I have noticed bridges on US highways can be much more narrow than on interstates.

I’m trying to figure why this issue appears to be exclusive to “US” highways ....

JaxDad wrote:

MickUpi wrote:
I done several searches on the following topic but could not find anything on it. I am usually driving in the right lane on the interstate or a four lane road. When a big truck passes an the left as it gets about even with me our rig is pushed to the right. It's usually just slight but sometimes it be a fairly hard push.

Even just a foot or two difference in the space between your unit and the truck can make a huge difference, here’s how to exploit that.

When the truck pulls out to pass you, ease over and crowd the left side of the lane, the passing driver will naturally do the same thing hugging the left side of their lane. Then once the other driver gets up next to you ease your unit over to the right side of your lane until it’s past you.

Doing this successfully will create a 6’ish foot gap between the 2 vehicles and almost if not completely eliminate the problem.

Also a stellar way to get put in the ditch by a trucker who thinks you were attempting to cut him off to pass him! Or cause a head on collision or get sideswiped by a semi on a head to head 4 lane. Yeah that’s a great idea. I love the insight on how some people’s brains work. It’s amazing the “f you it’s all about me” ideas that pop up so regularly!

Now had you said, scoot over and use some shoulder to create that distance, since aside from being passed on a 2 lane road, most 4 lanes have a wide right shoulder, I would have said that is a great idea!

Btw, I believe I see one or 2 of your kin every morning on my drive in to work.
Several 2 to 1 lane merges at the top of grades and a major truck route. (Also dangerous as he!! as most of it is 3 or 4 lane head to head traffic and 6% grades with a 60 mph speed limits so easy 30-40mph speed differentials between loaded trucks pulling the grades and passenger vehicles. )

Almost never fails that someone, typically a Prius, Subaru, Hyundai type decides they’re not going to let a semi merge or have to get past them, pushin the truck towards no shoulder and a deep bar ditch at the merge point.
I’ve heard trucks on their horn until they run outta air, behind some of these flakes.
But maybe if you’ve never had to deal with idiot 4 wheelers from the seat of a vehicle that takes a long time to stop or maneuver, you wouldn’t understand. You would think self preservation would kick in but it doesn’t. These folks probably also try to feed bears! Lol.


Had one this morning. Little fart car squoze in between 2 big rigs in the lane taper. I flashed the rig in front of me good to move over since he got pushed too far into the taper and had to merge Now.
I got a thank you flash and that dumb arse got a rear view mirror full of chrome bumper and a loud monotone tune for about 1/4 mile!!! It was awesome!