Why do pilot cars get so far from their trucks?

Why does the rear pilot car follow literally only 1 car length behind the trailer is what I want to know. I'd be suicidal and a nervous wreck within an hour of being able to continually read the expiration sticker on the trailer plate while driving at 65+ mph.

 

You know, I've wondered that too. From what I've seen, pilot car operators are,,,well,,, you know. Probably, in part, years ago, they only had CB's and couldn't get too far away. Now it's cell phone, maybe.

 

As far as the lead pilot car driver [checking clearances and for possible problems such as vehicle on the shoulder], I can understand them wanting to be a mile or more ahead to allow time to verify certain things before throwing out anchors and sounding alarms. If there is an 16 foot wide load and someone is parked on the shoulder ahead, they may need 45 seconds to find or create an opening to move over and straddle the zipper until they can get past the stopped vehicle.

Nobody hates people stopping needlessly on the shoulder more than over-diminsional (wide) haulers.

 

If permitted they have a list of problem areas, getting eyes in front asap is needed,could imagine oversized in some of those traffic jams areas could be interesting.

 

@STexan has it right, that's the pole car, checking to make sure they aren't about to hit a bridge. He's supposed to be a decent distance ahead to give them time to react if that pole smacks a bridge.

 

That’s funny

 

Front cars have poles for heights. And call outs


Rear is there to block lane on narrow curves


My observation,I could be wrong.

 

to run far ahead is to let others know, what's coming.

to be so close to the rear, is to hopefully keep some moron from getting directly behind the truck.