Newsletter #231

[Echo]

I have to say that I was surprised and disappointed at the comment about a new game that 18 wheelers are supposed to be playing with RVers.
We get so much bad press as it is now and are portrayed in a bad way in so many commercials, I really hadn't figured on seeing the same thing here.
If there are any truckers who ARE playing any kind of a deadly game with you, then you need to be on the phone talking to the company they drive for. Be sure you have the truck number so that you can tell them which driver it was.
But please don't lump all truckers in with any possible jerks! Just like any other profession or job, you get good ones and bad ones. It only takes a few rotten apples to spoil it for all.
As a truck driver I see RVers doing some stupid and/or inconsiderate things, but I don't lump all RV owners/drivers into the same class.
Along with truckers, there a lot of RVers who are excellent to share the road, a conversation or a cup of coffee with.
_________________
Echo
(who is)
A future full time RV'er
50, empty nester, single again, living alone and loving it
Mom to a Pom named Shade

[dusty1]

I just returned home from a trip to MN and back to Calif. Things have changed out there on the interstates. There was a time when all truckers were to be admired for their courtesy and helpfulness on the road. I drive in the right lane at 60 MPH. I know it's a pain to the drivers but saving fuel is what it's all about in today's world of traveling. Truckers have schedules and have to drive faster. I'm aware of that, but there are safety issues to be considered regardless of the vehicle or schedules. I was cut off by so many drivers I couldn't believe it. Not only was I cut off but no signals were used, and it appeared to be deliberate. I was pulling alongside a 18 wheeler southbound on I-15 in Barstow, and a doubles pulled up behind him and came over in my lane: no signal and his 1st set was right alongside me when he came over. Fortunately, I had seen him coming and knew he was going to pass the other trucker regardless of me in the passing lane. I tried to get his truck # but he was going too fast. The trailer said Central. I haven't a clue as to how to get in touch with his company. Another reason I don't turn these truckers in is sure as heck, I will meet them on the road again or in a truck stop and I'm too old for any confrontations. Besides, word travels on channel 19. Maybe that's why so many get away with it. Drivers are in such demand now that the schools are dumping them out there fast and furious, and companies are waiving the usual over the road experience that was once required. California law is 55 miles per hour for autos and trucks pulling trailers. I can't recall seeing a trucker doing that speed ever. The truckers and the companies they work for ask for the bad press. One only has to look at the accident rates of 18 wheelers nationally. Trucking companies and independent owner operators pay out a lot of tax money and will let you know about it when told they think because of it, they own the road (not by me, by the way). But that's not totally true. The consumer ultimately pays that tax in higher prices. Is every driver deserving bad press? Of course not, but my experience in recent years tells me there are too many bad apples out there for a safe driving experience for anyone. When I pay taxes at the pump on my auto and RV, I have no consumer to charge the taxes to and no writeoff. Sorry if I sound so hard but driving interstates is not a pleasant experience. Whenever possible, you will see me on the back roads. Thanks for letting me vent. Driving trucks is not an easy job. I know that too. Enuff rambling.

[Echo]

Dusty

You're right, there are a lot of bad apples out there. But believe it or not, there are a lot of truckers who are trying to police their ranks. But it's also like anything else. The bad ones really catch your attention and are remembered. Also, how many times have you seen a headline in the paper reading "Truck driver causes accident, kills 2"?--only to read it and find that the truck was a pick-up. I know I have seen those headlines. But it colors everyone's perception of the trucking industry. They only 'see' the headline and think tractor/trailer.
If at all possible, get a trucking company name and if nothing else, a trailer number when a driver does something so dangerous as you describe. If you have a cell phone, call 911 and report the driver. If you have online capability, then you could do a Google on the company name. A lot of companies now put contact numbers on the back of trailers, though a lot of drivers will cover/paint over that. And that's because of jerks who call where there was no problem. I almost got fired once for a call like that! They had the wrong truck number and I'm thankful I had proof it wasn't me or my truck.
I myself have certainly turned drivers in for dangerous actions. Fact is I turned one in today when I woke up. I was just getting home last night, making a tight right turn into the parking lot where I rent a parking space. I had my right turn signal on, swung wide to the left to make the turn into the drive (there is a mailbox and telephone pole on either edge of the drive). A car and a big truck cut between my rig and the drive I was turning into. When I said something on the CB to the driver, he jumped all over me for not knowing how to drive! I spoke with 'his' safety director today! I was in the position of knowing where he was going when he went by me. I did a real fast drop on my trailer and chased him down to get his numbers. You can bet he will know where the complaint came from. And I will know where to look if anything happens to my trailer.
As to accidents? There is more and more proof and statistics that are showing a swing in blame for most accidents to autos. The dreaded 4 wheeler! But yes, stupid and or arrogant truck drivers also have accidents. And between a truck and car, the car will be the loser because of size and weight. And yet way too many cars will cut off a truck or pull over in front of them and hit the brakes.
It's funny? I love driving a big truck. It's the rest of the 'stuff' that I hate. I look forward to the time when I don't have to drive over the road any more.
I do believe that one of the ways to combat the dangerous interaction between trucks and cars is to start teaching beginning drivers (kids) when they get their permits in driver ed classes. Driver ed classes need to cover all motor vehicles, not just cars. They wouldn't have to learn to drive anything other than cars, but teach them about cars, trucks and motorcycles too.
_________________
Echo
(who is)
A future full time RV'er
50, empty nester, single again, living alone and loving it
Mom to a Pom named Shade

[Laura M]

Hi Echo,
I was a little disappointed in the comment also. My only connection with 18-wheelers is a brother-in-law who is one and those I see on the road from my RV -- and I've always had a lot more help than I have problems with truckers.
The funny thing is, the 'game' they mentioned saved me a lot of grief once. In those days, I had an old VW Rabbit diesel. It was close to midnight and I was on the WV turnpike and started developing electrical problems. My headlights were getting dimmer and dimmer. I pulled off at one of the toll booths, and a trucker who'd been behind me also pulled off to see if he could help. By that time, if I turned on anything electrical, the car died and we were a good 50-60 miles from a large enough town that I could get help. He suggested that I pop-start it, 'run dark' and stay tucked in between he and another truck. They'd watch out for me and I could follow their lights.
Not sure it was the wisest thing in the world to do, but it DID get me to town, and it sure made for my most memorable trip through the moutains!