X2

45 mile commute everyday. 43 of it on the slab. Highway miles and traffic are a big reason I went with a RG this time around.

 

Similiar experience for me. Last year, while driving my SUV on I-94 in Detroit area, a semi hit a bump and lost a tire/wheel from the right side. The tire/wheel went up the embankment and broad-sided a Cadillac on the ramp causing major damage to the car. Scared the hell outta me, and I could imagine how the Caddy's driver was...I shudder to think if a biker was hit.

 

All good info, I'll see how it goes tomm, gotta a 100 mile one way trip, get home climb in the truck do it all again a few hours later...

JJ

 

I was riding up in Cooks Forest in PA. getting late so I told my buddie that we will hope on interstate 80 and head home, anyone who rides Pa. 80 knows if you don't do 80 get off the interstate, my friend wanted to do 70, I pulled in a rest area and told him if you don't feel like doing 80 we have to get off , so we got off. Yep free ways and interstate highways are not for cruising .

 

Being a former owner-operator with approx. 2 million miles under my belt I've seen some pretty foolish stuff on the super slab and around semis. I wish I could speak for all drivers when I say I always kept my equipment in top shape. But that isn't the truth. There are still trucks out there that shouldn't be there. Tires that are not being maintained properly and freight that isn't restrained in a safe manner. I ride the slab from time to time. I do not ride beside a truck any longer than neccessary. If I get in a spot where the semi or any vehicle for that matter is pacing me laterally, I either speed up or slow down to break the match. Why, you ask? Very simple. If one of us has to move sideways, be it caused by our actions or involuntarily, I don't want to be in the escape route or have another vehicle in my escape route. Always give yourself an out whether you're on a 2 wheeler or in an 18 wheeler. Do not follow another vehicle at an unsafe interval, no matter how big or small they are. Give yourself a safe area and attempt to maintain it as much as possible. Oh ya the statement about mid-easterners having a hole in floor to "dispose" of human refuse. Totally true in some cases. I've seen it in a Pete dealer on the canadian border. The under side of that truck was disgusting. The mechanics refused the truck service and the drivers were totally arrogant about it.

 

The main thing you should not do to a truck is speed up to pass and then slow in front of them. They try to keep a steady pace, at least I do in my truck. When you find one passing you and then you have to pass them back and so on take a close look at your own speed. I bet you will find you are up and down more than you know.

 

I agree with you Jim. One other foolish thing you used to see was the idiot who would run a stop sign to get out in front of you and then stop to turn left up the road in a mile or two................

 

Whoa! The chances of that tire blowing is less a retread than a new tire. Today's retreads (probably the last 10-15 yrs) are as good if not better then new tires if a quality shop does the work. Keep in mind any tire will reverse the vulcanizing process when it is overheated (almost always a result of an outside influence aka, nail)

 

Nice to see a few other drivers (truck drivers) chiming in. Some good info here although some I found a little humorous. One of the earlier responses saying if you find yourself repeatedly passed by the same truck, unless you are in mountain country it is probably because your slowing down after you pass him. If you think this is annoying to you, try looking at it from the truck drivers view. He's getting at best 6.5mpg with his cruise set. You slow him down 10 mph he will be getting about 2mpg trying to get back up to speed.

Anyhow...Ya'll are right to respect them and give them plenty of room. Be careful passing if your following a car. Most will speed up to pass the truck and as soon as they clear that front bumper they will slow down and match the trucks speed leaving you boxed in and in the trucks blind spot. If you can't see the drivers face in his mirrors he can't see you. Most of the time you will be passing a truck in the left lane and you will be far to the left in that lane, he will not be able to see you for most of the time you are next to him!

Watch for local trucks when your riding. In my experience they usually are not maintained as well as long haul trucks, mainly because many times local trucks do not go through any way stations so they only get their yearly safety inspection.

As for the responder who said truck drivers are not as skilled as they used to be. Unfortunately I believe he is correct. You have big companies rushing newbies through their classes in a couple of weeks and throwing them out there. Trust me, this is not safe!

As for the posts about certain drivers having holes in the floor of their trucks that they use as a bathroom. Yup, happens, but I think 99% of the time if your riding behind a truck and getting wet he is probably running a load of produce and shaking off some ice weight. There are holes in all 4 corners of the trailer so the water can drain.

You will get the most turbulence passing a parking lot (car carrier) if you have a cross wind. If you have a crosswind blowing from right to left and your passing a semi on the left be prepared to be sucked in towards the side of the truck as soon as you come along side of him. Keep in mind, the truck driver doesn't want you next to him either. Try walking down the street in a good breeze holding a piece of plywood. Its hard to keep a truck going straight in a heavy crosswind.

Anyway..I'm rambling and I can go on forever so..I'm out..be safe!

 

Is it just me or is the turbulence from a bus worse than a semi? I can deal with semi turbulence but buses always freak me out, especially when you go to pass them.