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0rion · 05-16-2016, 04:52 AM

Towed for the first time this year over the weekend. Couple of observations which certainly aren't a new thing. Just a couple things that got on my nerves.

Cars that pass you cut back over in front of you way to early. You can tell they've never towed anything in their lives. Traveling at 65mph you don't cut in front of me leaving me 1 car length....there's zero chance I would be able to stop in an emergency.

This is a big one. Cars entering the freeway from an on ramp are going to do 1 of 2 things. Either floor it to get ahead of you instead of dropping in behind you or merge in going the same speed as you are and not letting you back over into the right lane. They will ride there and always choose to try and get in front of you eventually which then creates a freight train of cars passing you on the right. Drives me insane.

lynnmor · 05-16-2016, 05:00 AM

Yep, that's how it is. They will not follow a large vehicle because they can't see around them when they follow so close.

Don't move over if you can help it, the merger can find a spot in front of, or behind you, he doesn't need the exact piece of real estate you are on.

RSchleder · 05-16-2016, 05:16 AM

I totally agree, it is very frustrating for sure. The problem with not moving over when someone is merging is often times they don't even look to see you there. They just look straight ahead and KEEP MERGING even with you there! Idiots for sure!!!

FaithBowls · 05-16-2016, 05:43 AM

I never have these issues because I don't fight with traffic. I stay in the right lane and go 45-55. Cars stay out of my way. I'm the white whale.

mbridinger · 05-16-2016, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaithBowls

I never have these issues because I don't fight with traffic. I stay in the right lane and go 45-55. Cars stay out of my way. I'm the white whale.

I too am a very slow driver....well.... most of the time. On the open highway I cruise at 62 ish. Driving in phoenix I must drive a little faster or I would be killed. The daily commuters here are training for NASCAR. You wouldn't last 5 min on the local freeways here. I believe that too slow can be just as dangerous in some situations.

FaithBowls · 05-16-2016, 06:43 AM

Actually I just spent a week in Phoenix. Same technique worked fine. Everyone stayed out of our way with the exception of a few geniuses who like to jump 2 lanes at a time. I don't go "too" slow - I go by the road and only as fast as the ride is good. But if you hold your lane and maintain your speed, people will get out of the way.

JJH3rd · 05-16-2016, 07:37 AM

Brain dead mergers are the reason we got a set of marine horns (electric) for the MH to replace the original horns which didn't make a peep. More than once I have used the to let the non-merging fool know that "he" had to make up "his" mind.

peterson · 05-16-2016, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJH3rd

Brain dead mergers are the reason we got a set of marine horns (electric) for the MH to replace the original horns which didn't make a peep. More than once I have used the to let the non-merging fool know that "he" had to make up "his" mind.

Where did you get the horns? And what model?

GRUU · 05-16-2016, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterson

Where did you get the horns? And what model?

Yes, please!

JFNM · 05-16-2016, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0rion

Towed for the first time this year over the weekend. Couple of observations which certainly aren't a new thing. Just a couple things that got on my nerves.

Yes, those are common issues. As someone who has driven everything from a bicycle to a large truck/trailer, I really wish the driver training in this country was MUCH better. Maybe even make everybody drive every "thing" once (a mile in another's shoes) so they at least understand what the other vehicles are dealing with. No doubt that is not going to happen....

0rion · 05-16-2016, 11:23 AM

I consider myself a very safe driver. I'm "on point" when I'm towing and constantly watching mirrors and traffic around me. It used to bother my wife that I got so quiet when towing as she found it pretty boring for me to just sit there and drive for hours at a time. I eventually told her I was responsible for our rig, our lives, and the lives of our 3 kids in the back seat. It's a lot to have on your shoulders towing a camper with all the morons on the road. People don't pay attention, drive to fast, and are just plain rude in some cases.
No one is exempt from getting my "moron" tag either. I've seen semi trucks do some pretty sketchy things and I always say the same thing "professional driver". Another offender I see on a regular basis are motorcycle riders. You would think they would be the most cautious and some are but there's also that percentage of them that evidently have a death wish.
My goal is to get my family to and from where ever we're going safely. That's all I'm focused on when towing. It gets pretty tough though when it seems like everyone around you is living in a different world.

0rion · 05-16-2016, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynnmor

Yep, that's how it is. They will not follow a large vehicle because they can't see around them when they follow so close.

Don't move over if you can help it, the merger can find a spot in front of, or behind you, he doesn't need the exact piece of real estate you are on.

I always move over if I can. There have been times when I'm trapped in that right lane though and my experience has been the merging car in that situation makes no effort to help you out. They don't speed up and get in front of you and they refuse to slow down and get behind you. They merge at the exact same speed you're going and when you try to slow down to let them in front of you as they're running out of lane they also slow down.

lynnmor · 05-16-2016, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0rion

I always move over if I can. There have been times when I'm trapped in that right lane though and my experience has been the merging car in that situation makes no effort to help you out. They don't speed up and get in front of you and they refuse to slow down and get behind you. They merge at the exact same speed you're going and when you try to slow down to let them in front of you as they're running out of lane they also slow down.

Yes, there is no good answer when they want your space. Slowing or increasing speed often disrupts the traffic for everyone but the idiot.

davendeb · 05-16-2016, 01:14 PM

I think safety dictates that we have to get comfortable with second place. Let others pass and jump ahead, and pray they make their destination, and you do as well.