Would you get annoyed?

Funny you should mention it. My first truck was a 2005 Pete 379 that had serious power issues. Climbing hills out west, I ALWAYS had do downshift to at least 6th, and occasionally all the way to 4th.

A little different, though - was definitely a physical problem. Rather than spend $5k fixing it, the company dug up another 379 for me. Much happier with that one.

As for the left lane prohibition, that usually does not apply to passing situations. Pull over, go by, and pull back in.

 

The road he mentions does strictly forbid truck passing. Personally, I would have stayed behind him. They sit along sections waiting to see a truck in the left lane. Ticket is not worth the few extra minutes.

 

ah, wasn't aware of a specific restriction against even passing. Yeah, in that case, it's not worth the heartache.

Just think of it as a construction zone with no cones

 

I would just get in the left lane and pass, I don't usually get harassed.

 

That stretch of highway in NC is known as The Gorge, and you do not pass in that stretch, no matter what. They will nail you for it on that stretch.

 

Yes. But then EVERYTHING annoys me, so don't worry about it!

Sometimes you just have to deal with a problem the best way you can. If it annoys someone, so be it. Of course, there is also the possibility of getting a ticket for "impeding traffic" in some jurisdictions.

In other words, you are pretty much screwed either way.

Sounds like you got through this one OK though. Trucks do not often break down, and a good preventive maintenance program, coupled with good pre and post trip inspections will alleviate the majority of problems. But the fact is, that sometimes, you are just going to have a mechanical problem with your truck.

 

You got that right Big Don! Hubby just had the EGR valve go on his truck earlier this week - top speed 35 mph on the flat. He spent all day waiting for the tow truck to tow him 80 miles so it could get fixed. We are both just glad that he's a company driver right now!

 

I've had the same issue with my truck. The check engine light starts flashing and the truck goes into a "safe mode" and I can't go any faster than 45 mph. This happens once in awhile. I have to shut the truck down and restart it and it's fine untill nextime. It might be 20 minutes or 2 weeks or even a month later. So far nobody has been able to determine the problem.

Fortunately it's never happened in the Gorge but I did come up behind a truck doing 35 mph late one night. He had his 4-ways flashing and I followed him for about 5 miles and guess what, I did get annoyed and took my chances. I hit the left lane and passed. The thing about it was about 10 trucks behind me followed.

My question is, if your having troubles and backing up traffic, would it be safe to pull over and let traffic go by?

 

Let's go back to Mechanical Engines....S*rew Kommiefornia laws.