I signal truckers when they are clear to change lanes after passing me by using my headlight switch. I am thinking about installing a momentary ON switch to control a double pole relay in the headlight circuit. It is hard to reach down to the headlight switch and it was not made for high usage. I have a 12vdc relay with the contacts rated at 25 amps and the momentary switches are readably available.Can anyone think of an easier way of doing what I want?

Although a nice courtesy....some trucking companies instruct their drivers not to signal. Reason- liability, in today's sue happy society many insurers are restricting actions that could lead to lawsuits.That being said, I just flash my high beams.

Bionic Man wrote:Flash your brights.That's what we do.Leave your lights on and just flash 'emWhen someone signals you to change lanes say thanks by momentarily working your 4 way (emergency ) flashers.Good Luck, Mike

Bionic Man wrote:Flash your brights.X2. That's what I've always done in that situation.

I don't signal anything to truckers. If they are worth anything as a driver, they will know instinctively when it is safe to change lanes. Routinely they prove my point when they suddenly change lanes with very little room for error. Is it obvious that I have little regard for truckers?

Signaling truckers it's ok to change lanes | Good Sam Community

49 Replies

OhhWell
Explorer
May 07, 2014
Stefonius wrote:
Cloud Dancer wrote:
More important,.....how in the heck do you signal them NOT to pull into your lane!
I've never understood why ALL of them that pass me insist on quickly getting back into my lane. They impart so much buffeting to my vehicle,....YES, they do it THAT quick! I won't put up with it anymore. I quickly change over to the lane they vacate. The fact that I'm able to do it proofs that there was NO vehicle behind them that was causing them to change lanes prematurely.
They pass you because you're going slower than they want to go. They can't simply slow down in an 80,000 pound rig like you can in a 3,000 pound car. If you don't want to be passed by trucks, change lanes when they get close in your rear view mirror and save them the trouble of having to go around you in the first place.

I think he was talking about how they pop back into the slow lane with inches to spare in front of you even though there is no one behind them in the passing lane. I think they are either showing off or letting you know what they think about us and our speed.
Stefonius
Explorer
May 07, 2014
Cloud Dancer wrote:
More important,.....how in the heck do you signal them NOT to pull into your lane!
I've never understood why ALL of them that pass me insist on quickly getting back into my lane. They impart so much buffeting to my vehicle,....YES, they do it THAT quick! I won't put up with it anymore. I quickly change over to the lane they vacate. The fact that I'm able to do it proofs that there was NO vehicle behind them that was causing them to change lanes prematurely.
They pass you because you're going slower than they want to go. They can't simply slow down in an 80,000 pound rig like you can in a 3,000 pound car. If you don't want to be passed by trucks, change lanes when they get close in your rear view mirror and save them the trouble of having to go around you in the first place.
Duck
Explorer
May 07, 2014
If a truck passes me and signal that he wants to move back in and he has barely cleared me I will take my foot off the pedal to give him a little more room.
Don
Cloud_Dancer
Explorer II
May 06, 2014
More important,.....how in the heck do you signal them NOT to pull into your lane!
I've never understood why ALL of them that pass me insist on quickly getting back into my lane. They impart so much buffeting to my vehicle,....YES, they do it THAT quick! I won't put up with it anymore. I quickly change over to the lane they vacate. The fact that I'm able to do it proofs that there was NO vehicle behind them that was causing them to change lanes prematurely.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 06, 2014
I have them pull in when they were 20 feet short of clear.. However that was when I was in a car not a motor home.

Day or night, IT helps. Be sure to thank them when they flash you over too.
OhhWell
Explorer
May 06, 2014
They don't need it during the day but it can't hurt. They know how long they are and when they are clear. I used to think they were jerks when they would pull right back in with a foot or so clearance but now I just realize they are skilled (or at least that's what I tell myself). At night it is quite a bit more helpful.
revump
Explorer
May 06, 2014
It is an act that is appreciated by truckers ... many times they do the same thing for me
Ric_Flair
Explorer
May 06, 2014
If just this simple courtesy among fellow travelers pulling trailers (big and small) reduces the stress just a bit for everyone, isn't it worth it?
Stefonius
Explorer
May 06, 2014
Your signal doesn't tell the trucker that it's safe to move over... it's his job to make that determination.

Your signal lets him know that you are aware of his intentions and that you are safely out of his way, giving him one less vehicle to worry about.

It's just common courtesy, and it's doubly important at night.
Acampingwewillg
Explorer II
May 06, 2014
Who said you take any signal from another motorist as the (trucker or otherwise) as Carte Blanc to safety? I didn't hear anyone claiming this! That would be the same as taking everything you read on here as the absolute truth. :-)

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Signaling truckers it's ok to change lanes

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