why do fellow drivers tailgate? is there an actual reason?
#11
Rookie
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 22
Tailgating
The two truck lengths is about right for best fuel saving. That is too close for the truck. Four wheelers draft all the time, but most don't really know what they are doing, become transfixed with the back of the trailer and are dangerous. However, done well, the savings for a four wheeler of just about any size can be from 10-20%. That's real money for someone who drives 30000 miles a year on the interstates (in his mind) until he runs up under a truck.
#12
Board Regular
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 414
Most drivers who do that are trying to save fuel. And they do. It's called drafting. Your breaking the wind for them, and creating a vacuume for their rig to fit into. In return, your rig works harder, using more fuel, while they "get pulled" down the road, saving themselves some fuel. The idea is to increase their fuel mileage per gallon.
Most company drivers care less about fuel savings. They tailgate because they are STUPID.You see 2 or 3 company trucks running so close together it's scary. Maybe the one in front is the only one that knows the way and the others are afraid of getting lost. So this drafting theory is the reason they run just a few feet behind four wheelers? Best tailgating I ever saw was three bull haulers running a few feet apart, front truck lost a tire, second truck had his crossover line knocked of by the gator, didn't seem to be saving much fuel as it ran out on the ground, take a long time to save enough fuel to pay for repairs and the EPA clean up.
#15
Board Regular
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 460
Originally Posted by Heavy Duty
Most company drivers care less about fuel savings. They tailgate because they are STUPID.You see 2 or 3 company trucks running so close together it's scary. Maybe the one in front is the only one that knows the way and the others are afraid of getting lost.
So this drafting theory is the reason they run just a few feet behind four wheelers? Best tailgating I ever saw was three bull haulers running a few feet apart, front truck lost a tire, second truck had his crossover line knocked of by the gator, didn't seem to be saving much fuel as it ran out on the ground, take a long time to save enough fuel to pay for repairs and the EPA clean up.
#16
Re: why do fellow drivers tailgate? is there an actual reas
Originally Posted by Zen Road Warrior
To save fuel?
To use me as bear bait? To think I will actually speed up? Talking on the damn phone, totally oblivious to what's going on. Which seems to be the normal state for everyone behind the wheel of a vehicle these days. Even cops. I actually saw a cop talking on the phone while shooting radar. I can imagine that conversation. "Oops. Sorry Bill, what was you sayin'? I had to write me a speedin' ticket."
#17
Originally Posted by TomB985
Originally Posted by Heavy Duty
Most company drivers care less about fuel savings. They tailgate because they are STUPID.You see 2 or 3 company trucks running so close together it's scary. Maybe the one in front is the only one that knows the way and the others are afraid of getting lost.
So this drafting theory is the reason they run just a few feet behind four wheelers? Best tailgating I ever saw was three bull haulers running a few feet apart, front truck lost a tire, second truck had his crossover line knocked of by the gator, didn't seem to be saving much fuel as it ran out on the ground, take a long time to save enough fuel to pay for repairs and the EPA clean up. |
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