Question for current or retired truckers

[Berner2]

We just returned from a 10 day trip and on the last night we spent the night in the back parking lot of a casino at Stateline, Nevada/CA. During the evening there was quite a bit of truck traffic, coming and going and subsequently a lot of related noise. We were discussing the noise and trucking in general and my significant other asked if maybe truckers hated motorhomers. I told her that I think generally they may get frustrated and occasionally downright pissed, but for the most part just take us in stride.

I had a commercial license for 30 yrs, not as an over the roader, but as part of my job working for a utility co., hauling long or heavy loads and just driving large trucks. I spent as much time in urban settings as I did on freeways and back roads and I am very aware of the lack of attention of some of the drivers on our highways.

My question to you truckers, local drivers and OTRs, is, how do you, as a profession, view us motorhomers who drive around, at times, like we're the only ones on the road? Sometimes with total disregard for the fact that you guys are working, you're on a tight schedule, you have log books and DOT inspections and if we slow you down on a grade you have a heck of a time getting back up to speed. We often times leave you little or no room to pass us one at a time and forget that you can't stop like a passenger car.

Please enlighten us all and help us make your job just a little easier!!

Terry

[hanko]

No disrespect to the good drivers out there, But I see alot of drug store truck drivin cowboys out there these days. We clear them back in the lane with a headlight flash, very very seldom do they return the favor. Many drivers today are fresh out of truck driving school and they think they are hot S=-t. I drove professionally for years, owned my own rig for years, Ive rolled up steel tarps more miles than most drivers have driven out there today. Im not impressed by what I see on the road today. And I repeat, no disrespect to good courtious drivers, I can share the road with you

[msturtz]

I have a Class B CDL, with a passenger and school bus endorsement. I also drive our MH. I have found in driving anything RVers in general are more courteous than the general driving population. I suspect that is primarily due to the large cost of the recreational vehicles. I have never done OTR trucking only occasional day trips for my company and some volunteer work however we have logged thousands of miles in our RVs all over the western US.

[mhsteve]

25+ years OTR . my pet peeve was the m/h towing at 70 mph . when it say 55 mph towing .like its their road . i drive m/h now & give room & respect (but it has been invaded by stupid drivers) to trucks as they do me. who in a truck working needs a chain driven wallet & HD vest ? ... LOL ........... most all truck drivers are safe drivers . thanks ... steve

[carringb]

RV drivers in general aren't bad. However, there are some who just don't extend the common courtesies of driving a large vehicle, such as keeping right unless passing, not attempting a pass on a grade when they don't enough power, not creating a gap for merging traffic etc. However, this same issue applies to many of the low-paid, barely experienced drivers working for some of the low-bid long-haul outfits.

[Peg_Leg]

Haven't held a commercial ticket since CDL was implemented. I logged a lot of miles driving everything for a auto auction. The only thing that upset me was people texting while driving.

I've seen many near accidents at interstate speeds that scared me to no end. I believe the first thing law enforcement should check is the cell phone for the last message time.

[explorenorth]

36 years on the highway (13 in semis, 23 in long-haul buses), and motorhomes were never a specific complaint. It was BAD DRIVERS that made me wish every now and then that I'd had a different job. If you know how to drive your rig, no trucker will be cursing you. If you think that it's your right to go 20mph under the limit on a 2-lane road, well....

[Kennedy64]

My dad was a trucker for 40+ years, I never heard him complain of MH, TT, etc... My husband & I own a machine shop and I am the 'trucker'. Small truck, I can only haul 3 tons of steel but I will spend many hours on the roads locally. I can honestly say, a MH, TT, etc has ever caused me problems. The ones that I have problems with are 'normal' commuters who believe their time is more important than mine. They tailgate and cut me off, etc. Again, it's only a small truck but when I have upwards of 3 tons on my rear, I'm not stopping on a dime, that's for sure and not only am I trying to stop safely, I am also watching the parts that I am hauling. I have complete faith in myself and the way I secure my load but one never knows what can happen with evasive driving.
I'm sorry for my rant but it's a huge deal for me, I want to come home every night to my family.
Thank you for asking though, again, no complaints here.....even if I'm just a 'baby trucker' (that's what my dad calls me)

[NeverHome2]

Thanks Berner2 for your thoughtfulness to truckers. I have been an OTR trucker since 1970. I have hauled heavy loads (160,000#) and long loads (110') and up to 18' wide loads. Lots of state police escorts so maybe I have been the problem holding up the motorhomes! :B

Now days most of the trucks have plenty of horsepower so passing on a grade is not an issue unless the traffic is heavy. Slowing down on a grade is just part of the job. I have never had a problem with a motorhome on the road.

The only problem was when I was out of hours and had to pull into a truck stop or rest area to park. Unlike motorhomes, the trucks don't have a lot of options to park a big rig, especially oversized. It was a little frustrating to find spots taken by a motorhome when they had the option to go to a campground or even a Walmart parking lot.

There is no problem sharing the road, just the parking spaces.

[Mfan]

I look at them with envy. Wish I was in my faith wheel.