why do fellow drivers tailgate? is there an actual reason?
 

All too often I am tailgated, very closely, by fellow truckers. I usually drive 5 over. Never under. Is there an actual reason why a trucker would tailgate or travel very close?

To save fuel?
To use me as bear bait?
To think I will actually speed up?

Most of the time, believe it or not, there is actually room for the person to pass. There is no one in the fast lane. I tested this the other day. I was going 60 in a 55. No one was in the fast lane so the covenant driver could have passed. Just to see what would happen I slowed to 55. He's still there. I sped to 60 - he's still there. Dropped again to 55- he's still there refusing to pass. anyway, was just wondering if there is an actual reason. . . :?:

Tailgating big trucks...same reason 4wheelers do it, impatience, saying "Im back here, get out of my way" (BBR's)

As far as Covenient, probably against company policy to pass :lol: :lol:

The "Ignorance is Bliss" class of driver.

maybe you have a nice shiny hiney!

Re: why do fellow drivers tailgate? is there an actual reas
 

In a case like that, I pull into the fast lane for a couple minutes, then get behind them. In my younger days I would drive on their tail for a while to try and wake them up. Now I just let them go on and stop bugging me.......

Most drivers who do that are trying to save fuel. And they do. It's called drafting. Your breaking the wind for them, and creating a vacuume for their rig to fit into. In return, your rig works harder, using more fuel, while they "get pulled" down the road, saving themselves some fuel. The idea is to increase their fuel mileage per gallon.

This is the stupidest move a truck driver makes, and has caused more accidents then what I believe to be good. Too many drivers slam on the brakes, causing a rear-end collision. But this still happens, even in local areas.

The best thing to do is just to slow down, and let them pass. Sometimes that means to 45 mph. Once they pass you, you can always get back up to speed, and always get their truck number and company when you can..... then politely let them know over the CB that you going to drop a dime on them. It doesn't matter weather you do or not, but it might keep them from tailgating someone else. :wink:

There seems to be a false economy, in drafting.

Watching the fuel flow meter, indicates that the optimum distance is about 2 truck lengths, for the best economy. That is still a little too close, for following distance, though.

Oil may go to $125, according to a wall streeter.

As of this morning it went to $104.00/pb OPEC will not increase production and blaming the high cost of fuel on poor Gov't economics. I think a bomb should accidently fall on the oil cartel.

Not a good idea to accidentally drop a bomb. Any loss in oil production would only cause a higher oil price. Better idea is to wee the U.S.A. off oil.

kc0iv

Tailgating
 

The two truck lengths is about right for best fuel saving. That is too close for the truck. Four wheelers draft all the time, but most don't really know what they are doing, become transfixed with the back of the trailer and are dangerous. However, done well, the savings for a four wheeler of just about any size can be from 10-20%. That's real money for someone who drives 30000 miles a year on the interstates (in his mind) until he runs up under a truck.

You have been watching to much NASCAR.

Most company drivers care less about fuel savings. They tailgate because they are STUPID.You see 2 or 3 company trucks running so close together it's scary. Maybe the one in front is the only one that knows the way and the others are afraid of getting lost.

So this drafting theory is the reason they run just a few feet behind four wheelers?

Best tailgating I ever saw was three bull haulers running a few feet apart, front truck lost a tire, second truck had his crossover line knocked of by the gator, didn't seem to be saving much fuel as it ran out on the ground, take a long time to save enough fuel to pay for repairs and the EPA clean up.

thats not right :lol: :lol:

in what way?

Well said.

Re: why do fellow drivers tailgate? is there an actual reas
 

You forgot one:

Talking on the damn phone, totally oblivious to what's going on.

Which seems to be the normal state for everyone behind the wheel of a vehicle these days. Even cops. I actually saw a cop talking on the phone while shooting radar.

I can imagine that conversation.

"Oops. Sorry Bill, what was you sayin'? I had to write me a speedin' ticket."

Agree! One time, while running down I35 south of San Antonio, I had a Pete crawling up my back side for several miles. I finally informed him on the CB that I really was not in that homosexual stuff and I would appreciate he get off my *&%. Of course I got the usual "you drive your truck, I'll drive mine". I informed him that I had a real compassion for animals and that there were several (fictitious) kittens and puppies crossing the road and that I may have to lock up the wheels to avoid them. I also made him aware that he had 53' of trailer to get to me, but I had only 6' of hood to get to him and that he ought to stay right there. I then turned off the CB and waited... in about 15-20 seconds I saw that he was increasing the distance between us. Guess since I didn't respond to the rant he probably was expressing, he thought it might be better to back out of it. Who knows, but it worked.