How close behind a 18 wheeler do you have to be in order to get a good draft?

[Philippine Mango]

Originally posted by: Sluggo

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: psteng19

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
It all depends on the size of the vehicle you're driving. My 4runner is large, so I have to get pretty close.

I won't draft if it looks like a younger guy driving. Most of those guys have no sense. If I see an old timer behind the wheel though I'll flash my lights and pull in behind the trailer. The old timers are usually pretty cool about it. Plus they know where smokey lurks, so the know what speed to go.

If you do draft always tap your brakes two or three times after you're in front of him as a thank you, it's the rules of the road my friend.

And flash your highs when you pull out to pass him. It's a courtesy truckers appreciate.

Are you guys serious? I can't tell.

I'm not sure about Perknose, but MisterJackson is right that flashing your brake lights a few times is the way you thank a trucker. But you don't have to hit the brakes, you can just turn your lights on and off. If you pay attention, you'll notice that when one trucker pulls in front of another, he'll sometimes flash the lights on the trailer on and off. The trucker that let the other guy in front of him then flashes his in acknowledgement.

Thats a little backwards from how I learned it.

I learned that when a truck passes you, a quick flash of lights or even a quick flash of your high beams lets the truck driver know that he has completely cleared your car and it is safe to pull back into the right hand lane of traffic. He can notice the flash without ever having to check his mirrors to know when he has cleared the vehicle he is passing.

The trucker will then flash his trailer lights as a quick thank you for doing him that small favor.

Or.... you could just decide not to be a cheapass and pick your self up a CB radio...

 

[Sluggo]

Originally posted by: Philippine Mango

Originally posted by: Sluggo

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: psteng19

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
It all depends on the size of the vehicle you're driving. My 4runner is large, so I have to get pretty close.

I won't draft if it looks like a younger guy driving. Most of those guys have no sense. If I see an old timer behind the wheel though I'll flash my lights and pull in behind the trailer. The old timers are usually pretty cool about it. Plus they know where smokey lurks, so the know what speed to go.

If you do draft always tap your brakes two or three times after you're in front of him as a thank you, it's the rules of the road my friend.

And flash your highs when you pull out to pass him. It's a courtesy truckers appreciate.

Are you guys serious? I can't tell.

I'm not sure about Perknose, but MisterJackson is right that flashing your brake lights a few times is the way you thank a trucker. But you don't have to hit the brakes, you can just turn your lights on and off. If you pay attention, you'll notice that when one trucker pulls in front of another, he'll sometimes flash the lights on the trailer on and off. The trucker that let the other guy in front of him then flashes his in acknowledgement.

Thats a little backwards from how I learned it.

I learned that when a truck passes you, a quick flash of lights or even a quick flash of your high beams lets the truck driver know that he has completely cleared your car and it is safe to pull back into the right hand lane of traffic. He can notice the flash without ever having to check his mirrors to know when he has cleared the vehicle he is passing.

The trucker will then flash his trailer lights as a quick thank you for doing him that small favor.

Or.... you could just decide not to be a cheapass and pick your self up a CB radio...

10-4 good buddy.

We got us a convoy.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Sluggo
Thats a little backwards from how I learned it.

I learned that when a truck passes you, a quick flash of lights or even a quick flash of your high beams lets the truck driver know that he has completely cleared your car and it is safe to pull back into the right hand lane of traffic. He can notice the flash without ever having to check his mirrors to know when he has cleared the vehicle he is passing.

The trucker will then flash his trailer lights as a quick thank you for doing him that small favor.

Whoops, yep you're right. I knew something didn't seem right when I was typing it, but I couldn't figure out what it was.

 

[Ctrackstar126]

Drafting behind a truck can save you if your low on gas and you just lost all your money at the casino. It hits best when the sign shows you only have 100 miles left to go

 

[daveymark]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: rh71
saving gas money this way and that way is so overrated... unless you drive 100 miles a day.

What you typically save with these methods is chump change.

But a penny saved is a penny earned.

penny wise and pound foolish

 

[TitanDiddly]

Originally posted by: yellowfiero
A big magnet and a boom to attach to the back of the rig. Then put your car into neutral and enjoy the ride. Gas milage = 8

Beat me to it. Make sure the boom is solid enough that if he hits the brakes, you won't go sliding under his wheels.