One hand on wheel

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by brank, May 16, 2017.

  1. EZ Money

    EZ Money Road Train Member

    True STexan....It is the younger generation that has to have a cell phone glued in their hand!...
    I drive left handed most of the time but you won't catch me texting....bluetooth calls only.
    Yea,I eat my sandwich,have a smoke or whatever but always scanning way ahead of me.

    So many drivers do not look more than 50 ft ahead of them or scan traffic...
    I always keep my next move planned ahead......just a habit.

    The insurance companies are now giving discounts for driver facing cameras...
    What a shame it has come to this.
     
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  3. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    I have been thinking about this thread over the course of the last day. I'm not a big fan of driver facing cameras. On other hand I am not a big fan of driving with one hand on the wheel.

    Lane control is important, especially on uneven road surfaces and/or broadside gusting winds. I pay attention to trucks I am overtaking or that are overtaking me, to see whether they are in control of their truck. FAR too often I see truckers having great difficulty staying within their lane. When I pass or am getting passed I sneak a peek at the driver. The great majority of the time the driver that is all over the road is the driver with one hand on the wheel. They seem to suffer from "Yankee Doodle steering", yanking the steering wheel back and forth.

    I wonder if folks that think driving with one hand is the right thing to do are the same folks that say driving all day in a hard broadside wind WILL end up with you being stiff and sore? I look forward to a day in broadside winds. I enjoy it. I'm relaxed. I have both hands on the wheel 99% of the time, other than shifting, etc.

    I wonder if folks that think you should always park it if there's snow and ice are the same folks that have a habit of driving one handed. It's been said that there's nothing like snow and ice to expose your weaknesses. Yankee Doodle steering doesn't cut it. I ENJOY driving in slick, difficult conditions. Having both hands on the wheel, with thumbs on top, and relaxed hands and arms, allows me to feel the ruts, drifting steer tires, or tailing trailer.

    Having one hand on the wheel doesn't mean that you are in control, or advancing in your skills.
     
  4. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    Truth right there. Using only one hand in certain trucks is just a bad idea and a lack of skill sets. Try rolling off a mountain grade with triples or ramboing on a rutted goat trail hauling logs. The guys that have one hand on top of the wheel, the stress your putting on your body is going to come back as pain in later years. Cell phones-I just don't like to talk to people that much. Expecially the wife. :)
     
  5. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Like in Raiders of the Lost Ark? :laughing6:
     
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  6. gentran

    gentran Light Load Member

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    The east german wall was put up to keep their people from escaping communism. We are putting a wall up to prevent illegal entry into our country. Understand the difference?
     
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  7. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    535K on this truck.... what do you think my hand position is.....?

    IMG_1553.JPG
     
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  8. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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    Hey, I forgot about that lol:D:eek: but are correct!!
     
  9. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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    For the most part I agree with you, but we need to remember not every individual person on the road is identical in any or all ways. Just because you like spaghetti doesn't mean I do, just because you are comfortable in crowded areas doesn't mean I am too (just as examples). We all have our comfort zone, and as a certified crane operator I can assure you this, it mostly boils down to eye / hand coordination. Sadly though many are just as you mentioned lol, rough roads and one hand while fighting it.
     
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  10. KillingTime

    KillingTime Road Train Member

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    Edit: Meh. Nevermind. Not ruining a perfectly good thread with political BS.

    Good day to you.
     
  11. Snow Walker

    Snow Walker Light Load Member


    I cringe to think where your hands are but yu have tu get those wheels turnin to do some shiftin.
     
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