Why do pilot cars get so far from their trucks?

Some states tell you pilot car spacing, such as MI requires the tail car to be 2000 feet behind

 

2,000 feet? What is the tail car doing half a mile away? Get on a curvy rd, what are they protecting?

 

. I didn't know that,never needed one in Michigan. That doesn't make much sense,but then again they're the state that wants you creeping down the roads under posted minimum speed limit

 

So, if you had 3 cars and a police escort, how would you set it up?

 

1...2....3....4......simple, even a caveman can do it

 

The pilot cars would disagree with you.

 

i am "about" 2 years from full retirement. if i retire and get bored, and return to trucking, i'll be sure to get into over-dimensional trucking and worry about it then. till such a time.....she says it all for me..



in the end, i could really give an F about it, the o/p asked why the pilot cars were in formation the way they were. you wanna get technical, then YOU answer it in full for him/her.

and if you are too lazy..
(15) Do the rules change when a uniformed off-duty law enforcement officer, using official police car or motorcycle, performs the escorting function? While the spirit of the rules remains the same, specific rules may be modified to fit the situation.

WAC 468-38-100: Pilot/escort vehicle and operator requirements.

 

Yut!

 

In Alberta the first car is required to be at least a kilometre ahead, especially on two lane roads.
Company I worked for before had a guy clip a mobile home on a bridge after a blind curve down a valley. The oversized company got the blame as the pilot car was only a few truck lengths ahead, so approaching traffic didn’t have enough of a warning to stop before you could see what was on the bridge.

 

Rules don’t change. Pilot cars will disagree with you, but YOU are still the boss, regardless of whose running with you.