MegaDodge wrote: Chadsalt...Do you give big rigs a wide berth too?? You've got a better chance of tangling with a transport than an RV. The percentage of RV accidents compared to semi accidents is miniscule. Semi drivers are driving tired a lot of the time....too much actually, while RV drivers are well rested. What makes you think RV drivers are inexperienced? Did you hear that somewhere? Don't believe everything you hear. There are far more guys out there driving big rigs without a clue than RV drivers. I've seen semis with tires coming apart....semis weaving down the interstate.....semis speeding. There are exceptions on both sides....but I'd rather be beside a pickup and RV or a big motor home than a semi.....given the service that semis get these days. When a big rig gets beside me, I get him past quickly, so parts don't come off, especially tire parts, and damage my rig. Running side by side with big trucks is a recipe for disaster. All those tire treads on the interstates don't come from RV's.
Megadodge you make very valid points. You never know what kind of driver you are to encounter on the open road and city. Makes ya wonder
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MegaDodge wrote: Chadsalt...Do you give big rigs a wide berth too?? You've got a better chance of tangling with a transport than an RV.The percentage of RV accidents compared to semi accidents is miniscule. Semi drivers are driving tired a lot of the time....too much actually, while RV drivers are well rested. What makes you think RV drivers are inexperienced? Did you hear that somewhere? Don't believe everything you hear. There are far more guys out there driving big rigs without a clue than RV drivers. I've seen semis with tires coming apart....semis weaving down the interstate.....semis speeding. There are exceptions on both sides....but I'd rather be beside a pickup and RV or a big motor home than a semi.....given the service that semis get these days. When a big rig gets beside me, I get him past quickly, so parts don't come off, especially tire parts, and damage my rig. Running side by side with big trucks is a recipe for disaster. All those tire treads on the interstates don't come from RV's.
Yes I do, they dont 'scare' me either, but that is another discussion.
OF COURSE the "percentage of RV accidents compared to semi accidents is miniscule", semis run 24/7/365 as opposed to holidays and vacations.
There are "far more guys out there driving big rigs without a clue than RV drivers." not likely. Sure some semi drivers are subpar, but they at least had to display some sort of skill during the driving/written test to get behind their wheel.
RV drivers are well rested? Screaming kids, nagging wife, the fact they dont generally drive all day.......well rested, if you say so. I dont "think" rvers are inexperienced it is simple statistics (or a quick scan though the questions on this site), they do it for a hobby or recreation a few thousand miles a year. You could easily go a life time rving and never become experienced.
I could care less about the 'service' other vehicles on the road receive. I dont run beside anyone, rv, big rig, or otherwise. Although you may want to know semis are subject to an annual inspection in addition to the daily pre-trip......any federal regs for the rv world?
I don't drive beside ANY vehicle period. You need to have an OUT. You know the throttle goes down to increase speed and you can let up on the throttle to decrease your speed to keep you from driving besides some one for any lenght of time. Of course you will be beside someone when passing or when being passed but make that time as minimal as possible. Works for me.
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chadsalt wrote: Funny what scares some people. I spend all day driving big rigs for a living and I give ALL rver's a wide berth....odds are good theyre inexperienced or worrying to much about something irrelevant.
That's a good one. All truckers speed and are involved in many accidents, almost daily.
I guess we can stay away from each other.
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I have to disagree that the percentage of semi accidents is higher than RV accidents. The total number yes, but as stated that are driving quite a few more miles. I've seen RVs with tires flapping, things falling off the back, and everyone trying to get there on a Friday after work (I'm guilty too). I've probably driven a few minutes more than I should have.
On the positive side for everyone, with the price of fuel, it seem EVERYONE is driving just a little slower! That's really safer for everyone.
Chevy 1500, towing about a 27-28ft Travel Trailer (guessing it was close to mine as it looked similar).
That may or may not be bad by itself (My trailer has a max weight of 7700), but in his bed he had a Cab over rack it it had 2 4wheelers and 2 Dirt bikes in it.
Back end was Way down low. Front tires didn't look like they had that much steering on them
Chadsalt it sounds like you have become wise due to experience.
If it was not for drivers yielding when we RV'ers pull some of our mistakes it would make the RV industry stats would look really bad.
I am sure some messes we create are never known by us as we plow forward. I can not remember meeting a TV with tow on local two lane roads that did not concern me. Many of us are "out of prime" before we drive our first MH. To do a million miles accident free would be a chore.
MegaDodge wrote: Chadsalt...Do you give big rigs a wide berth too?? You've got a better chance of tangling with a transport than an RV. The percentage of RV accidents compared to semi accidents is miniscule. Semi drivers are driving tired a lot of the time....too much actually, while RV drivers are well rested. What makes you think RV drivers are inexperienced? Did you hear that somewhere? Don't believe everything you hear. There are far more guys out there driving big rigs without a clue than RV drivers. I've seen semis with tires coming apart....semis weaving down the interstate.....semis speeding. There are exceptions on both sides....but I'd rather be beside a pickup and RV or a big motor home than a semi.....given the service that semis get these days. When a big rig gets beside me, I get him past quickly, so parts don't come off, especially tire parts, and damage my rig. Running side by side with big trucks is a recipe for disaster. All those tire treads on the interstates don't come from RV's.
Tut tut...you sound awefully bitter for some reason. Next time you are on the road towing, try to keep count of how many semis you see for every RV!
To use a different example to illustrate a point:
50 years ago, a book was published about cargo ships involved in collisions and groundings. Over 80% ofthe ships were British flagged. limeys are unsafe? NO....it is just that a vast majority of ALL shipping then was British flagged, so any accidents had a good chance of involving the Brits.
Same book updated today has ZERO British flagged ships. Limeys getting better at this sailing thing?....NO....there are hardly and Brit flagged ships anymore, so the chance of hitting one is almost zero!!!!
Sorry to be longwinded....but you have to look at the numbers!
Nope...I am definitely not bitter. Chadsalt said he gives ALL RV's a wide berth. That translates to me that RV drivers are all dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. That is obviously not true. Had he said, "I give all RV's and semis a wide berth," I would have understood his natural nervousness for the potential with tangling with anything bigger than a car, the operators of which..(CARS)... are far and away the biggest threat to us all.
I have great respect for a guy who drives a big rig for a living and I get out of their way on two lane roads so as not to hold them up. He's working, I'm not. BUT...I don't believe that, even though, no licencing of any consequence is in place for RV drivers, that this translates into every RV driver out there, not knowing what they are doing. When I drive my rig, I know that it is my responsibiity to merge with traffic when entering an interstate. I get over to allow a big rig and even a car to enter an interstate when it is possible to do so. I also signal when it is safe for them to come over, like they do. I drive with a margin of safety between me and the unit in front...WHICH many semi drivers don't do...(granted they have good brakes, but reaction times for any driver can put you into the back of the rig ahead).....AND I never take a mile to pass anything.....like many truckers do.
Now I drove firetrucks in a major Canadian city for twenty five years...I had some experience dealing with traffic and heavy stuff, but just watching RV's tells me that the bulk of RV drivers out there are not without sufficient knowledge to drive safely.
Real driving experience comes by doing it. I believe that the longer you drive an RV without an accident....(and certainly the most dangerous time for you and others is when you first start doing it, and the same is certainly true for rookie semi operators)....the less chance you have of ever having one, because as you gain experience, you are more aware of hazzards that get you in trouble.....overheads, turning ability, merging, distances between vehicles, brake settings, and the list goes on.
I think if any group of operators is totally lacking in driving ability, it is the four wheelers that perform absolutely crazy stunts out there, and actually risk lives all the time and don't even know that they are doing it. Here again, all operators cannot be painted with the same brush. Many car drivers know what they are doing, but I see far more violations and crazy actions by car operators than any other group.
* This post was
edited 06/03/08 02:57am by MegaDodge *
Quote: Nope...I am definitely not bitter. Chadsalt said he gives ALL RV's a wide berth. That translates to me that RV drivers are all dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. That is obviously not true.
Translates that all RV drivers dangerous?...Why are you taking this so personal?...Of course not all RV drivers are a possible issue, BUT how do you know which ones are?...So, you decides that since you can't always tell the safe ones from the "Bozos" just give ALL of them a wide berth...It's not knocking all RVers, just the only safe way to prevent possible trouble...
Professional truck drivers are just that, trained and perform their driving and vehicle prep with actual regulatory oversite...RV'ers are in fact "weekend warriors" with little or no one to answer to...
Lighten up a little, if you're the average RV driver then you're not the guy to look out for...To bad the OP didn't get a picture of that overloaded "hillbilly" 1/2 ton...
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...you sound awefully bitter for some reason. Next time you are on the road towing, try to keep count of how many semis you see for every RV!
....it is just that a vast majority of ALL shipping then was British flagged, so any accidents had a good chance of involving the Brits.
....NO....there are hardly and Brit flagged ships anymore, so the chance of hitting one is almost zero!!!!
