Living in the Chicagoland vicinity, driving a vehicle is a challenge without a trailer. When towing with a travel trailer, it seems to bring the worst out of everyone. No one likes being behind a trailer, but I have people constantly putting themselves and myself in dangerous situations. I can't figure out why, short of impatience and the fact that everyone seems to be self centered.How does everyone deal with these jerks? I drive the speed limit or with the flow of traffic and hang out in the right lane the majority of the time. I am not poking along in the fast lane. I get people cutting me off left and right. They pass on the shoulder or merge/exit ramp to get around me (2-3 lane roads) **** near taking my bumper off because they don't want to be behind me, passing me and cutting over before it's safe. People getting in front of me then slowing down. People camping out next to my trailer or tv at speed. Etc etc.It can really wear on you when taking longer trips. Does anyone have a secret stress relief or way to deal with these idiot drivers short of just shaking your head?

I have not had that type of experience often, thank God! Maybe that is why I avoid Chicago at all costs. :WIf I get one of those jerks near me I just stay alert and be prepared as much as possible but continue to enjoy my ride. I do not let them get on my nerves.Barney

I don't encounter a lot of jerks However I do leave lots of space between me a the car in front of me.For the most part I try not to impede traffic and travel the posted speed when conditions permit.Regardless of my speed I try to leave extra space in front of me. I try to never be in a situation where I have to slam on the brakes.

I haven't been to Chicago lately but I really don't encounter that bad of driving where I normally go. I generally run the speed limit and only get in the left lane to pass. From the rear my rig looks like a motorhome. But, the TC on the Duramax is a lot faster than most motorhomes. I do think it's funny when getting on the interstate someone behind me will immediately go to the left land thinking they will pass a "slow motorhome". I step on the skinny pedal and get up to speed real quick. They often fall back into line behind me.

There's really not much YOU can do if everyone else is driving like an idiot. Just hold your position in traffic and let them go around you. Personally, I avoid city-interstates, actually, just interstates period! as much as possible. I take secondary roads. Sometimes, that's just not possible though, especially if you live right in the thick of it. In that case, all you can do is "hold your own". People in automobiles just do not understand. If they treat you this bad, imagine what they do with the 18 wheeler semi trucks!I've driven through Chicago once with my TT in tow. I'll NEVER do it again! I'll take secondary roads 100 miles away if I have to go through that area again.

I call them Illinois idiots. I grew up in Lake county and my parents still live there so I go back regularly. Hate to drive around there. I have to drive them down to Naperville on Friday for a wedding and not looking forward to it. Never pulled my trailer in the Chicagoland area and never will.

How do you deal with jerks while towing? | Good Sam Community

BarneyS
Explorer III
Nov 11, 2015
I have not had that type of experience often, thank God! Maybe that is why I avoid Chicago at all costs. :W

If I get one of those jerks near me I just stay alert and be prepared as much as possible but continue to enjoy my ride. I do not let them get on my nerves.
Barney
Lantley
Nomad
Nov 11, 2015
I don't encounter a lot of jerks However I do leave lots of space between me a the car in front of me.
For the most part I try not to impede traffic and travel the posted speed when conditions permit.
Regardless of my speed I try to leave extra space in front of me. I try to never be in a situation where I have to slam on the brakes.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Nov 11, 2015
I haven't been to Chicago lately but I really don't encounter that bad of driving where I normally go. I generally run the speed limit and only get in the left lane to pass.
From the rear my rig looks like a motorhome. But, the TC on the Duramax is a lot faster than most motorhomes. I do think it's funny when getting on the interstate someone behind me will immediately go to the left land thinking they will pass a "slow motorhome". I step on the skinny pedal and get up to speed real quick. They often fall back into line behind me.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Nov 11, 2015
There's really not much YOU can do if everyone else is driving like an idiot. Just hold your position in traffic and let them go around you.

Personally, I avoid city-interstates, actually, just interstates period! as much as possible. I take secondary roads.

Sometimes, that's just not possible though, especially if you live right in the thick of it. In that case, all you can do is "hold your own". People in automobiles just do not understand. If they treat you this bad, imagine what they do with the 18 wheeler semi trucks!

I've driven through Chicago once with my TT in tow. I'll NEVER do it again! I'll take secondary roads 100 miles away if I have to go through that area again.
lbrjet
Explorer
Nov 11, 2015
I call them Illinois idiots. I grew up in Lake county and my parents still live there so I go back regularly. Hate to drive around there. I have to drive them down to Naperville on Friday for a wedding and not looking forward to it. Never pulled my trailer in the Chicagoland area and never will.
RoyBell
Explorer
Nov 11, 2015
Yea, Chicagoland is the worst. I drive 20-25K miles a year around here. People just want to either police everyone or they are all out for themselves.

I usually leave plenty braking room. I just don't get why people have a whole expressway to drive but then pull over and camp out 10 feet from my front bumper while cruising at 65 mph.

Today I took the camper in for some repairs and I had someone fly around the whole line of cars waiting to turn onto the on-ramp to get on the expressway. He thought I would be an easy target I guess. He didn't realize how much vehicle there was to overtake. Tried to pass me on the turn and there was nowhere for either of us to go. Luckily he hit the brakes before he hit me. I just don't get it. Driving around the US, everyone seems to be courteous about 3 hours outside of the City.
philh
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2015
Move to a freer state?

For me, when I encounter an idiot, just smile and remember you're going to a better place than they are :)
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 11, 2015
I leave more following distance in the situations described by the OP.
Yes with people merging in front that often means I go slower than average.
So be it. If there are ten car lengths in front it is not a big deal when they cut in.
Depart an hour early if such a situation is expected.
brirene
Explorer
Nov 11, 2015
I drive, and tow in the Chicago area fairly often, and really don't see much of a difference between drivers there and elsewhere. I just assume anyone around me may do something stupid at any time and try to be prepared. If they do, I'm hopefully ready for it. If they don't, I'm happy.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Nov 11, 2015
With the fifth wheel in tow, I weigh almost 8 tons. Why anyone in their right mind would even consider getting even close to in front of me is beyond my best judgement. My stopping distance, if they suddenly stop for any reason, is about twice what their car will do. But they do, and they do, and they do.... Someday, they will be just mowed under.

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