Ride with the trucks or let them pass by?

rbpru wrote:

So the question is, assuming you feel comfortable with the speed, do you ride with the trucks or let them pass you by?

As many have posted, I travel at my speed while keeping in mind general traffic flow.

I usually put the cruise control on at 65mph.

Someone posted that the buffeting from being behind a truck can be rough, and I agree. I guess because I am not right at the rear of the big truck I don't see that following a big rig is helping me aerodynamically.

So... I guess my answer would be no, I don't like to ride with the trucks. I am not sure that a trucker would want a RV/camper "running" with him.

Rarely I will cruise in the left lane if the road surface in the right lane is bad, but only if traffic (or especially lack of traffic) allows it.

If a big rig is approaching behind me, I might slow down or speed up slightly to do what will help him get around me quickly and safely - usually the best thing is to maintain your speed, so he can judge for himself when to pass. Once a big rig starts to pass, I might slow a bit so he gets around me quicker. I might flash my lights at him if it seems appropriate to let him know when he is past me.

On 3 lane highways, at least around me, many times big rigs are not allowed in the left lane. If traffic allows I will move over, left or right, to let a big rig past me using the middle or right lane. My understanding is that vehicles can pass on the right on 3 lane highways - but even so, if I do that I do it out of sight of any troopers, no need to argue traffic laws if pulled over, lol!

Seems to me that even just 10 years ago when I started pulling my TT, truckers were more polite. But that could just be me getting grumpier in my old age!

(yea, just having early morning coffee so I have time to write out long answers to questions that haven't been asked yet)