Do you pass trucks governed 1mph less than you?

Haven't seen the CHP out in force in a long time. I figure they are low on funds, can't even keep the rest areas open!

 

THE DORITOS PRINCIPLE

This is something I taught my trainees when I was with Swift. A single Dorito costs about two cents. If you are coming up on a slower truck or car, and by passing you can gain an additional 1/4 mile, how many Doritos have you earned?

If by making the pass you have to stick your nose into a dangerous scenario, like getting into a cluster of trucks in icy conditions, is than mouthful of Doritos worth the price of someone's life? Think of it this way, if your daughter had her brains blown out because someone wanted to steal a few Doritos from her, would you be upset? I know I would be looking for bloody, painful, long lasting retribution.

The next time you are tempted to get into a dangerous situation to gain a fraction of a mile, remember the Dorito Principle.

 

Weight stations are usually open and almost every time I think I want to speed, one shows up. Its the motorcycles that sneak up on you.

 

It depends on a lot of factors. The first being how quickly did I catch up to slower truck. By catch up I mean from first seeing it to being close enough to pass. Was over a 45 mile stretch of flat lands or in 5 miles of hills? If in hills, the second factor is their weight verses mine. Am I riding the brakes behind them when going downhill? Third factor is type of road. If it is a 4 lane, can I do it safely on the next hill? It it is a 2 lane, can I see far enough ahead of both trucks to make the pass? Then there is traffic, weather, and posted speed limits to add to the equation.

 

Now that's funny!

 

I rode side by side with another truck for about 70 miles in Iowa recently. It was about 3 am and we were the only two heading east on 80 for that stretch. Eventually a 4 wheeler was approaching so I backed off and fell in behind him, but there was no reason for either of is to ow down prior to that.

If there is traffic, I will step off the pedal to give you an opportunity to get around, if not, have at if, I don't care if it takes all day.

 

no reason, other than what if one of you blew a tire right then side by side. or what if there were a broke down truck parked on the side? In some states the left lane is for passing only. Not running alongside another truck waiting for that guy to slow down, that is not passing that is begging for mercy.

 

Make adjustments as we go along... Like I said there was no one else around and when there was I backed off.

 

Maybe I should clarify for those unfamiliar with 80 in Iowa... There are a lot of rolling hills, up and down, heavy and light one faster uphill, one faster down hill.

It beat the constant passing and lane changes. We were not side by side mirror to mirror if that is what you are thinking.

 

Usually if there is heavy traffic, id stay behind the slow truck. But if there is light traffic, I am always up for some turtle olympics. Honestly its not the slow trucks, most of the time its 4 wheeler. Theyll let you catch up and then speed up. Hate those guys and road is full of them.