Big truck passing

[MickUpi]

I done several searches on the following topic but could not find anything on it. I am usually driving in the right lane on the interstate or a four lane road. When a big truck passes an the left as it gets about even with me our rig is pushed to the right. It's usually just slight but sometimes it be a fairly hard push. It's only scared me once on a US highway. It happened right as I and the truck driver crossed a bridge. After a rather strong push I am estimating the side of our MH was less than a foot from the bridge and it was a bit scary. Some big trucks don't blow our MH at all. I'm not sure what's up with that. Our MH is 28 feet long and 11 feet 7 inches high. I have noticed bridges on US highways can be much more narrow than on interstates.

[DaCarmack]

Getting pushed around just part of the game.my 389 Peterbilt will get pushed around every so often when somebody passes me going a lot much faster. If I start to get pushed into the emergency lane I just put my foot all the way the floor and pull myself out of it, works in the motorhome too that I have

[JRscooby]

ajriding wrote:
Air turbulence disturbances is why truckers do not like you drafting them, riding too close behind their trailer causes turbulence and bounces their trailer around, causing them to take note. They are not worried about you crashing in to them, or anything, they just dont want the turbulence.
They also feel you beside them so do not want you at their side for long.

You will get where you see a big rig coming, and you turn slighty into it to counter the push and then turn away as it pulls. All part of driving RVs

Wow! I don't remember a vehicle drafting on my wagon ever bouncing it around. OTOH, I did worry about the snot I would have to go thru when for example, I straddled a cap, but my draft pulled it up into your snot.
And I don't like running side by each because if I need to change lanes I would rather not have you're paint on my sidewalls.

[CavemanCharlie]

I know that this is not always possible and I don't know what situation you were in.

But,,, if you saw the big rig coming up to pass and saw a bridge coming could you have changed your speed slightly so that he could have passed on a flat straight area with no bridge ??

Situational awareness.

Again, that is not always possible. It is sometimes though.

[ajriding]

Air turbulence disturbances is why truckers do not like you drafting them, riding too close behind their trailer causes turbulence and bounces their trailer around, causing them to take note. They are not worried about you crashing in to them, or anything, they just dont want the turbulence.
They also feel you beside them so do not want you at their side for long.

You will get where you see a big rig coming, and you turn slighty into it to counter the push and then turn away as it pulls. All part of driving RVs

[ferndaleflyer]

I followed a short class A towing a 4dr Ford F 150 on I-4 today that was using the center lane and 1/2 of the other 2 lanes as he swayed down the highway looking for someone to kill. Nothing about that mess was safe. Oh, it all looked new including the motor scooter in a hitch mounted rack on the back of the truck.

[lwbfl]

ktmrfs wrote:


First thing it to make sure your rig is well set up and you are comfortable controlling it so these types of passes are a NON issue.

We pull a 35ft TT 60ft overall and when a semi, or double passes us on the left I notice a very slight push but if it moves me even 6 inches anywhere I'd be very suprised. Same when we pass a semi. Get your WD properly set up, and a sway control suitable for your rig and passing or being passed will be a non issue.

I agree that my rig doesn't actually move much but the push is felt. I was prepared for it to push the opposite way from past experience but with my new set up it was different. I don't have an issue with it, just answering the OP's question.

[ktmrfs]

JaxDad wrote:

MickUpi wrote:
I done several searches on the following topic but could not find anything on it. I am usually driving in the right lane on the interstate or a four lane road. When a big truck passes an the left as it gets about even with me our rig is pushed to the right. It's usually just slight but sometimes it be a fairly hard push.

Even just a foot or two difference in the space between your unit and the truck can make a huge difference, here’s how to exploit that.

When the truck pulls out to pass you, ease over and crowd the left side of the lane, the passing driver will naturally do the same thing hugging the left side of their lane. Then once the other driver gets up next to you ease your unit over to the right side of your lane until it’s past you.

Doing this successfully will create a 6’ish foot gap between the 2 vehicles and almost if not completely eliminate the problem.

and unsuccesfully likely put two rigs in the ditch. changing a safe pass and turning it into something dangerous.

First thing it to make sure your rig is well set up and you are comfortable controlling it so these types of passes are a NON issue.

We pull a 35ft TT 60ft overall and when a semi, or double passes us on the left I notice a very slight push but if it moves me even 6 inches anywhere I'd be very suprised. Same when we pass a semi. Get your WD properly set up, and a sway control suitable for your rig and passing or being passed will be a non issue.

[Lwiddis]

You'll get used to the push. Watch your mirrors and keep your ears open for when you don't see the truck.

[lwbfl]

jdc1 wrote:
Remember the paddles used by the principle to swat unruly kids? Those holes he drilled in it had a purpose......

I remember them well! They were said to make the paddle faster (not really effective at slow speeds and small paddle sizes but it was intimidating). We aren't trying to go faster or drill holes though out trailers though!:p:p

[Grit_dog]

JaxDad wrote:

MickUpi wrote:
I done several searches on the following topic but could not find anything on it. I am usually driving in the right lane on the interstate or a four lane road. When a big truck passes an the left as it gets about even with me our rig is pushed to the right. It's usually just slight but sometimes it be a fairly hard push.

Even just a foot or two difference in the space between your unit and the truck can make a huge difference, here’s how to exploit that.

When the truck pulls out to pass you, ease over and crowd the left side of the lane, the passing driver will naturally do the same thing hugging the left side of their lane. Then once the other driver gets up next to you ease your unit over to the right side of your lane until it’s past you.

Doing this successfully will create a 6’ish foot gap between the 2 vehicles and almost if not completely eliminate the problem.

Also a stellar way to get put in the ditch by a trucker who thinks you were attempting to cut him off to pass him! Or cause a head on collision or get sideswiped by a semi on a head to head 4 lane. Yeah that’s a great idea. I love the insight on how some people’s brains work. It’s amazing the “f you it’s all about me” ideas that pop up so regularly!

Now had you said, scoot over and use some shoulder to create that distance, since aside from being passed on a 2 lane road, most 4 lanes have a wide right shoulder, I would have said that is a great idea!

Btw, I believe I see one or 2 of your kin every morning on my drive in to work.
Several 2 to 1 lane merges at the top of grades and a major truck route. (Also dangerous as he!! as most of it is 3 or 4 lane head to head traffic and 6% grades with a 60 mph speed limits so easy 30-40mph speed differentials between loaded trucks pulling the grades and passenger vehicles. )

Almost never fails that someone, typically a Prius, Subaru, Hyundai type decides they’re not going to let a semi merge or have to get past them, pushin the truck towards no shoulder and a deep bar ditch at the merge point.
I’ve heard trucks on their horn until they run outta air, behind some of these flakes.
But maybe if you’ve never had to deal with idiot 4 wheelers from the seat of a vehicle that takes a long time to stop or maneuver, you wouldn’t understand. You would think self preservation would kick in but it doesn’t. These folks probably also try to feed bears! Lol.


Had one this morning. Little fart car squoze in between 2 big rigs in the lane taper. I flashed the rig in front of me good to move over since he got pushed too far into the taper and had to merge Now.
I got a thank you flash and that dumb arse got a rear view mirror full of chrome bumper and a loud monotone tune for about 1/4 mile!!! It was awesome!

[Grit_dog]

MickUpi wrote:
I done several searches on the following topic but could not find anything on it. I am usually driving in the right lane on the interstate or a four lane road. When a big truck passes an the left as it gets about even with me our rig is pushed to the right. It's usually just slight but sometimes it be a fairly hard push. It's only scared me once on a US highway. It happened right as I and the truck driver crossed a bridge. After a rather strong push I am estimating the side of our MH was less than a foot from the bridge and it was a bit scary. Some big trucks don't blow our MH at all. I'm not sure what's up with that. Our MH is 28 feet long and 11 feet 7 inches high. I have noticed bridges on US highways can be much more narrow than on interstates.

I’m trying to figure why this issue appears to be exclusive to “US” highways ....

[jdc1]

Remember the paddles used by the principle to swat unruly kids? Those holes he drilled in it had a purpose......

[ReneeG]

We too have felt that when we had a short bed F250 towing a 32' TT, then we switched to a Hensley Arrow (not advertising it), and that push stopped. We now have an F350 long bed dually towing a 35' FW and never ever feel it.

[bgum]

That is normal and is caused by the trucks bow wave of air. You will be pushed out and pulled in by large trucks at speed. We are affected much less due to the aerodynamic shape of the Airstream trailer we tow. It does happen with all classes of RV. Less with some more with others.