Driving a Governed Truck Etiquette 101

How you going to speed up to get away from him???

 

I don't get it. If I can even catch another truck, then I'm obviously faster. (most of the time I'm passed). If I can get within 50' then I start gauging my "target". Does he run as fast uphill, or does he slow? How fast does he go downhill? Who has better acceleration and response time? I take my time and make my move when appropriate.

I'm not going anywhere for 8 hours, I have the time to figure out when I'll pass you.

Of course there are some drivers that simply can't stand being passed by a USA Truck. They sand bag along # 59, untill they look over and read my door. Suddenly they find they can go 65! Whatever dude.

 

Yep! been there. What's wrong with Sunflower, doesn't want to get passed by a Swift truck. And you know he's not going to have his radio on.

 

My truck is governed to 67 but I only do 60-62 for better fuel mileage and the ability to quickly pass those trucks going .5 MPH slower than me. For some time I was annoyed that when I pulled out to pass some drivers would speed up and try to keep ahead forcing me to either slow down or speed up. Often times if I slowed down they would too.

I eventually learned to floor it so that I would be against the governor when I was pulling out for the pass, catching the other driver off-guard and passing quickly. I guess when they've seen me slowly catching up for the last several miles they just don't expect me to pass by 5+ MPH. The same things works on a lot of 4-wheelers too.

When I was in a slower truck and I came across someone who wouldn't let me pass for one reason or another I would keep a real close eye on the on-ramp traffic. I'm pretty good at timing things so they have to slow down for vehicles getting on the highway. While it may not be the most courteous way of going about things it sure works.

I never could understand the idea of trying to stop someone from passing who is obviously going faster than you. If your self-worth is based on the name on the side of the truck passing you than maybe you should find another career.


I still contend that the LTL guys are the worst when it comes to passing slowly/not backing off to let other pass more quickly.

 

Anyone know what speed Marten trucks are governed?

 

when i was stuck at 71 passing a 70 truck knocking it out of gear helped sometimes to get on by and free up the hammer lane


now that im in a 75mph truck i can pretty much do as i please

 

Completely unsafe way to drive, I don't mind the slow trucks on the interstates, but if you can go the speed lmit on a two lane and choose to run 5-10 mph under the limit to save a few cents then you are dangerous.
Plugging up the road and making the 4 wheelers pass constantly is just stupid.

I ran I-15 from LA to Salt Lake City wenesday and they have a few areas that are an 80 mph test area. Pretty cool as I was really tight on time to get unloaded before the place closed.

 

I guess it just takes years/millions of miles to figure to go with the flow and some hands never do.

 

agreed...

"some men you just can't reach"..

 

These are the types of people that the Truck Driving Schools are putting on the roads today. They have that "4 Wheeler" mentality and have no sense of any road etiquette. Most of these so called drivers are in it because of economic conditions, not for the love of the road.
Get used to it because it's not going to get any better and if you think things are bad now, wait until they unleash the Mexican truckers on the entire American Interstate system.