If the interstate has signs that state "trucks use left lane" because of construction or because of mountainous area do that include truck and camper? I've recently seen both of those signs while driving in my car and it had me wondering if that would apply to us. We'll be towing our camper through the area mentioned above in the next couple of weeks.Thanks,Karen

When I have seen that sign, there has been no shoulder on the right, due to mountain, equipment or barriers. I used the left lane because I didn't want to lose a mirror!Matt B

If your question is "what does the law require" then I guess the answer would be probably not required to use the "truck" lane. Common sense says it's probably the better choice given the condition of the road.

Many times they want the Trucks in the Left Lane during construction because they have converted the shoulder section into a lane and shoulder sections were not intended to carry the weight of the tractor trailers.

Left lane. They want the bigger, heavier vehicles away from exits and mergers.

I do not consider my setup a "truck" on the highway signs. I do consider my setup as a "vehicle pulling a trailer".

Question on interstate driving | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

RJCorazza
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
SprinklerMan wrote:
One sign " no vehicles over 5 ton in left lane " chesapeake bay bridge . I talked to a bridge cop and he told me they ticket any RV they catch in the left lane thats over 10,000 lbs ..

Is that the GCWR for trailers?
SprinklerMan
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
One sign " no vehicles over 5 ton in left lane " chesapeake bay bridge . I talked to a bridge cop and he told me they ticket any RV they catch in the left lane thats over 10,000 lbs ..
dadmomh
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
Of the same thought as Stephonious. Not only is the lane usually a bit wider but you may not have as sharp zig-zigs with the concrete barriers. Since you're in a construction zone, I'd assume that you have your speed down to the posted speed. Big believer in following along with the truckers....they usually know things the rest of us don't.
Doug33
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
2chiefsRus wrote:
Many times they want the Trucks in the Left Lane during construction because they have converted the shoulder section into a lane and shoulder sections were not intended to carry the weight of the tractor trailers.

BINGO! I design highways for a living and on a local project we just shifted trucks to the left lane for this exact reason.
RJCorazza
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
All good replies... I really dislike ambiguous signs, my favorite being "No trucks over 3/4T".
Anyway... I would also move over.
BubbaChris
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
The bridge over Hoover Dam specifies what lane they want the high-profile vehicles to be in. This is because of possible wind gusts. I was happy to comply.
Stefonius
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
When pulling a fiver, I am basically equivalent to a tractor-trailer, just a little smaller and lighter. I have found that my drive is much easier if I just do what the big trucks do and go where the big trucks go. If they're all abandoning a particular lane, there's probably a good reason to follow them.
Peg_Leg
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
I will move over with the trucks. The lanes could have off canter angles making it less stable for larger vehicles.

It's your vehicle and your insurance, do what ever you want. Don't be upset if someone's not doing as you do.

bid_time, common sense isn't as common as it once was.
Atlee
Explorer II
Jul 07, 2014
I tend to move over because they are wider.
thomasmnile
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
Crawfordville wrote:
If the interstate has signs that state "trucks use left lane" because of construction or because of mountainous area do that include truck and camper? I've recently seen both of those signs while driving in my car and it had me wondering if that would apply to us. We'll be towing our camper through the area mentioned above in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks,

Karen

Pretty sure those "trucks use XXX lane" signs are instructions to semis.