Pulling Hills...and does this bug anybody else ?

[Bobby]

You have all seen this I'm sure...unless your a flatlander.
Drivers that make a Run at a hill and don't have the power to hold the speed. So they get hung out in the 2nd lane ( trucks right two lanes only ) without enough power to pass the slower trucks in the right lane..so both lanes become blocked with slow moving trucks.

[floored]

You must be talking about the grapevine going south on the I-5

[Bobby]

No specific hill, but it happens on the Grapevine plenty I'm sure.
I have a hill on the fwy right by were I park so I see drivers doing this all the time.

[merrick4]

You know not too long ago I was out west, I don't even remember where,
and this guy tried to get past me. Maybe we were coming off a slight incline where I was slowed down a bit anyway as I got moving again the guy that tried to pass couldn't get by me. I had it on cruise control and I was in the right lane so I just stayed at the same speed, but this guy next to me was holding up traffic (on I 10).

Anyway, I hear some guy on the cb call out to me asking if I would just let the guy over so he could move on, so I said no problem and slowed down to let him in. But man the guy on the CB made such a big deal out of it, thanking me and saying something about being the bigger man and how professional that was. But I was thinking that really slowing down for a minute doesn't cost me anything and to be honest I don't like being in a cluster of vehicles so it was just no big deal. But it made me wonder if people out there on a whole have that attitude that they don't want to let someone get in front of them. I mean this guy made such a big deal out of it like he was shocked that I did that.

Don't get me wrong, in my short time out there, I don't like people getting in front of me just to slow me down, if you are going to pass well stay ahead of me. But to let a guy in is really no big deal.

[terrylamar]

You know not too long ago I was out west, I don't even remember where,
and this guy tried to get past me. Maybe we were coming off a slight incline where I was slowed down a bit anyway as I got moving again the guy that tried to pass couldn't get by me. I had it on cruise control and I was in the right lane so I just stayed at the same speed, but this guy next to me was holding up traffic (on I 10).

Anyway, I hear some guy on the cb call out to me asking if I would just let the guy over so he could move on, so I said no problem and slowed down to let him in. But man the guy on the CB made such a big deal out of it, thanking me and saying something about being the bigger man and how professional that was. But I was thinking that really slowing down for a minute doesn't cost me anything and to be honest I don't like being in a cluster of vehicles so it was just no big deal. But it made me wonder if people out there on a whole have that attitude that they don't want to let someone get in front of them. I mean this guy made such a big deal out of it like he was shocked that I did that.

Don't get me wrong, in my short time out there, I don't like people getting in front of me just to slow me down, if you are going to pass well stay ahead of me. But to let a guy in is really no big deal.

This happens to me all the time. Yeah, it's irritating to have to take it off cruise control, but it's the right thing to do.

[Rawlco]

You know not too long ago I was out west, I don't even remember where,
and this guy tried to get past me. Maybe we were coming off a slight incline where I was slowed down a bit anyway as I got moving again the guy that tried to pass couldn't get by me. I had it on cruise control and I was in the right lane so I just stayed at the same speed, but this guy next to me was holding up traffic (on I 10).

Anyway, I hear some guy on the cb call out to me asking if I would just let the guy over so he could move on, so I said no problem and slowed down to let him in. But man the guy on the CB made such a big deal out of it, thanking me and saying something about being the bigger man and how professional that was. But I was thinking that really slowing down for a minute doesn't cost me anything and to be honest I don't like being in a cluster of vehicles so it was just no big deal. But it made me wonder if people out there on a whole have that attitude that they don't want to let someone get in front of them. I mean this guy made such a big deal out of it like he was shocked that I did that.

Don't get me wrong, in my short time out there, I don't like people getting in front of me just to slow me down, if you are going to pass well stay ahead of me. But to let a guy in is really no big deal.

When I am passing on a hill I always check to make sure I am not going to hold up a fast truck. If I am holding up a fast truck I will back out of it and merge back to the right if I am not making any headway. For me there is no firm rule about passing uphill, it depends on my load and the trucks ahead of me.

I also see some of you owner operators come charging up the hill and pass me, but without enough power to climb the hill, or a heavier load than I have, and I will walk right past you a couple minutes later as gravity kicks in and my 475 Cat starts to purr.

Now I don't pass when climbing a hill if I don't have at least 5 mph on the truck ahead of me, but when I do I am not going to keep in the right lane just in case one of you faster trucks might come along, sorry. I have somewhere to be as well, and I don't want to be stuck behind a 61 mph JB Hunt anymore than you do. :wink:

[rank]

One time I watched a guy take 7 miles to make the pass. Dorks.

I had a lady trying to pass me for over 45 minutes on and off. I was light and had my cruise on 65 and no problems on the hills. She would scream down the hills then come up the hill and creep just a little behind me but losing like 1/2 mph. She held up lines of traffic over and over again. The last time she was right beside me and not going to make it again so she ran me into the breakdown lane.

She then bitched at me that she had her directional on so she had the right of way. I then kicked in all 550 horses and blew her off and also flipped her off as I passed. I then set the cruise at 66 so she couldn't do it again.

She then proceeded to have a complete hissy fit on the CB. I didn't respond at all and she got even more pissed. She said she was going to find me in a truck stop and cut my liver out.

[Rawlco]

I personally think that all of you who aren't governed at 65 should set your cruise at 66 or 67. That will keep us 65 mph trucks from becomming annoyed when you slow to 63.5 mph on a slight hill that doesn't faze us, but doesn't slow you enough to be passable.

[BanditsCousin]

The worst is when I'm pulling a hill 15mph faster than anyone else in the middle lane and some idiot jumps out in front of me because he's going 2mph faster than the slow truck. i've been guilty of left-laning around these people at 60mph :x

[Rookie McRookerson]

You know not too long ago I was out west, I don't even remember where,
and this guy tried to get past me. Maybe we were coming off a slight incline where I was slowed down a bit anyway as I got moving again the guy that tried to pass couldn't get by me. I had it on cruise control and I was in the right lane so I just stayed at the same speed, but this guy next to me was holding up traffic (on I 10).

Anyway, I hear some guy on the cb call out to me asking if I would just let the guy over so he could move on, so I said no problem and slowed down to let him in. But man the guy on the CB made such a big deal out of it, thanking me and saying something about being the bigger man and how professional that was. But I was thinking that really slowing down for a minute doesn't cost me anything and to be honest I don't like being in a cluster of vehicles so it was just no big deal. But it made me wonder if people out there on a whole have that attitude that they don't want to let someone get in front of them. I mean this guy made such a big deal out of it like he was shocked that I did that.

Don't get me wrong, in my short time out there, I don't like people getting in front of me just to slow me down, if you are going to pass well stay ahead of me. But to let a guy in is really no big deal.

That's not such a big deal on a slight incline. But, if some driver tries to pass and doesn't have the power to keep up speed, you will lose your momentum if you slow form him/her. Then you end up dogging it up the hill when you could have kept up some speed if you had not slowed.

I don't mind letting someone in. But, I am not going to lose my momentum and suffer for it because somebody else made a tactical error. Just my humble opinion.

[silvan]

Anyway, I hear some guy on the cb call out to me asking if I would just let the guy over so he could move on, so I said no problem and slowed down to let him in. But man the guy on the CB made such a big deal out of it, thanking me and saying something about being the bigger man and how professional that was.

I had something similar happen around here. I didn't ask the guy to slow down and let the other truck get in front of him, but when he did it of his own accord, I said something to the effect of "That was good driving, $COMPANY. Now many people will do that anymore, and I really appreciate it."

I don't remember all the specifics, but the guy in the blue truck was really flattered. I could hear his voice cracking with emotion when I complimented him, and in turn that made me feel warm and fuzzy for making somebody's day.

For my part, I try to avoid that whole situation. If JB Hunt is passing Swift, and there are three cars behind JB, even though I can run much faster than either of them, there's no point hanging out in the hammer lane. Every time I forget this nugget of wisdom, I'm reminded of why it's true, when some fast fourwheeler runs up my back door, passes me on the right, and then cuts me off to get stuck behind JB, just like I was.

They can't see past me, and they have no idea why I'm in the way. Plus they think all trucks are by definition slow, and must be passed at any cost.

A little patience goes a long way. Plus I get to get most of them back when I finally get around the rolling roadblock, and get wound up to speed. (A steady 4 mph over the speed limit, usually. That seems to be just about the best compromise between risking a ticket and keeping up enough momentum to make the hills go well.)

[golfhobo]

Merrick4: Job WELL DONE, Sir! That IS the mark of a professional, and I wish MORE would do it! I've done it myself many times, and it does make one feel good.

My truck is a bit underpowered going up hills since they cut the #uts off of it! But, I top end at 75 (used to be 85! :evil: ) I don't blame a stronger truck for thinking he can pass me on a hill, but when we crest it, and he is maxed out at 75 or a bit less, and can't get over in front of me, I'm NOT going to leave him hung out there to hold up traffic. I just kick off the cruise, and let him over. Then, when the 4wheelers are gone, I pull out and pass him back. No problem.... cost me only a minute or two!

I have often called out to the guy getting ?passed? to let the fool over, but they rarely WILL! Most of the time, NEITHER will give an inch! This is one of the most UNprofessional things a driver can do.

What you did should be taught, and reinforced every day, in CDL school! Since it's NOT, it is good to see that there are drivers with character like yours out there!

Keep up the good work! BTW.... how are things going with your loads? Staying busy now? I hope so.

[kilog55]

wow you guys sound like 4 wheelers. i know it seems like you can get up that hill but what about the guy your trying to pass. anyone ever think they are holding off a bit then get into it more when you start gaining on em? i imagine i happens especially with rival companies.

[Drew10]

wow you guys sound like 4 wheelers. i know it seems like you can get up that hill but what about the guy your trying to pass. anyone ever think they are holding off a bit then get into it more when you start gaining on em? i imagine i happens especially with rival companies.

Ive experience this many times. But I disagree about it occuring between "rival companies". I think your seeing closely governed trucks. I really havent noticed the rival company drivers really caring much about a rivalrey.

I drive for a large company governed at 65. Many times Ill come upon another truck, from a less known company or one I know is capable of a faster speed than my truck, yet as I overtake and abeam in the left lane all of a sudden my pass rate has diminished to nearly zero. This will force me to either tough it out and p/o the traffic behind me or back it off a little to try and get back into the right lane. This usually cases the traffic behind me to begin passing me on the right. A few times if I tough it out and make it back into the right lane the truck I just passed will come out into the left lane and pass me. True professionals out there.

[BigWheels]

I max out at 68mph and am rarely loaded over 50K. When another driver attempts to pass me on a slight incline but runs out of giddy-up, I'll cut the cruise if 2-3 cars start stacking up behind him.
Otherwise I'll just grin and look at the other driver until he's got his oomph back.

[ben45750]

I just get out of everyone's way. I can hardly pass a loaded truck going up a hill when i'm pulling emptys.

[Doghouse]

I suspect with my massive 11.7 DD60 365hp, that I will be letting(watching) everyone go by. I will own the right lane though :wink:

[Sizzle]

I have a slow truck and the only time I get a chance to pass anyone is going uphill. Even with heavy loads my Volvo with the Cummins 400 pulls pretty well for being governed at 65 mph. I get particularly annoyed if all of a sudden I start really slowing down when I'm almost passed another slow truck and they won't let me over. I never go out in the middle or left lane unless I'm darned sure I can pass.

I actually will ask someone to let me over to get out of the way. Sometimes the jerks are so determined not to let me in that I actually have to backout of it or hit the brake to get in behind them. Perhaps it's a macho thing I don't know; however, I always slow down if the shoes are on the other feet. I have to say a minute or so isn't going to delay my journey.

I was particularly annoyed one day when an FFE truck would not just let me get along down the road ahead of him and he wanted to play the 500 at 63 mph. I finally got so far past him uphill that he couldn't keep attempting to flirt with me. I was getting really pissed off. He finally hung out in the hammer lane while holding the traffic up and boy did the CB light up with all sorts of comments. That was just sheer stupidity to me.

I was on 80 recently trying to pass a slower truck-going uphill. I got out in plenty of time to get around him. When all of a sudden a fast petercar came up behind me and started in on me. By the time I got done with him the entire crowd on the CB was cheering me on for letting him have it. He wasn't man enough to look me in the face once I got back into the slow lane and he passed me.

I said, "I have been behind this truck for miles and don't want to be on his DOT bumper. Not everyone has a triple digit petercar, I pulled out in plenty of time to get around him before you blew up here. One minute of your day won't hold up your trip? :wink:

I guess immaturity and unprofessional demeanor will continue to astound us out here!

[Jack_07]

What I found that works well for me is when I am on someones bumper thats gonna take me 20 miles to pass is to just back off the cruise one click and let them go.
The thing I hate the most is when you are overtaking the truck in front of you and they start tapping the breaks, cause thay don't want you that close behind them, but when you go to pass they try to match your speed. That is the time I start crowding them into the emergency lane.
Other than that use the 3rd lane to pass if you are in that big of a hurry lol.