Trucks glorious trucks

[Snails pace]

I would be interested in hearing of how, or where others follow trucks. Living down Pokeno way and having to cruise SH 1 &2 coming and going I often end up following container trucks, quite often 3 or 4 in convoy. Thankfully i know the roads reasonably well and know the good passing spots but how do you handle the disturbed air? Have been experimenting and find that attaching the front wheel to their back bumper is the least windy spot, but does not do much for my life expectancy. The biggest draft seems 20 - 40 metres behind them. I find riding 15-20 metres behind them and in the centre, with the odd dab out to the right just to show them I am still there is the best. Any tips?

[Titanium]

I find riding in front of them much more appealing ......

If caught behind .. would rather ride back and safe, pick your passing moment.

[Motu]

Not much passing of trucks can be done on SH1 without risk of your licence....they only go slow up the Bombay hill,otherwise they are running you down.The Ramarama straight is the happy hunting ground.Depending on traffic I will sit in the outside lane to get out of the whipping and slowly pick them off at 105 to 110 kph,otherwise if the truck is really moving I'll drop back.

[MotoGirl]

I always sit in a position where I can see the driver's mirror - that way he can see me too. I also won't sit behind them, and will pass them so I have better visibility.

[Lou Girardin]

Following trucks? Sorry, I'm not familiar with that concept.

[Motu]

Then obviously you don't use SH1 coming into Auckland in the mornings - it's solid overnighters coming in to unload.You haven't got a hope in hell of not following trucks,they are everywhere you are.

[Lou Girardin]

Then obviously you don't use SH1 coming into Auckland in the mornings - it's solid overnighters coming in to unload.You haven't got a hope in hell of not following trucks,they are everywhere you are.

I do, but not the bit you use.

[MattRSK]

I love weaving in and out of the space between their axles. Don't believe me, watch Fast'n'Furious thats on TV so it's a fact.

[BarBender]

What Titanium said.

[hurricane_r]

I love weaving in and out of the space between their axles. Don't believe me, watch Fast'n'Furious thats on TV so it's a fact.

heh who hasnt done that before.......

[What?]

Stay back behind the disturbed air, and make sure the driver can see you.
And pay no heed to the story that trucks take a lot of stopping (infering a lesser danger in following closely); an unladen 9 axle B-train can stop like you wouldn't believe.

[madandy]

They are fitting new rigs with disk brakes all round now and abs on trailors too...they can stop well alright!
I pass 'em on principal but if traffic or road conditions dictate following then give 'em plenty of room as random objects can and do get ejected from the dual wheels now & then. If you can't see the mirrors the driver can't see you...and you can't see anything at all.

[Flyingpony]

There is always the danger of feeling sleepy/dopey when following trucks too closely because of their diesel exhaust gas.

[hurricane_r]

lol trucks are all g, keep your distance, or overtake them,, pretty simple?

[Squeak the Rat]

If you're riding in the outback and find yourself behind a truck (at night for example) the generally accepted best practice is to ride behind the wheels. Otherwise the truck might hit a 'roo which will bounce like a basketball down the centre of the truck and fling out the back straight into your gob.

Not many roo's in NZ though. Especially on SH1. Lot's of goose's though.

[hurricane_r]

dont roo's jump over the trucks?

[jafar]

best i have found is about 5 meters back from the trailer in the r/hand wheeltrack when the road is dry , this gives a good view of the road ahead & keeps you in the vortex created by the truck's movement through the air. If it is raining the trucks tyres will dry the road just a bit , the down side is that the water he has drained will be comming right back @ you ,so back it off a bit more.
You will get the most wind as you come up beside the cab , always a catch for the newbies.:scooter: