Hi all,
OK, having had my post 56561
well received, I thought I'd push my luck with my suggestions on how to be overtaken by heavy vehicles when towing a caravan or heavy trailer. It's based on the advice of experienced truckies like Doug on here and Rod Hannifey.
We recommend using UHF 40 to contact the truck driver
well before they catch up behind you, if possible. Something like "Good morning truck northbound. This is the Jayco caravan. Would you please give us a call when you're ready to pass" Almost always you'll get a good response.
Maintain your speed and a sensible road position. Don't slow down and cause the truck to loose any more momentum than it needs to. Don't try to pull too close to the left shoulder - you might drop off a rough shoulder and have to make a recovery - not what you want to do with potentially 115 T of Road Train close behind...
If you've made contact with the truck driver, he/she will sooner or later (remember they might
well know this road much better than you do) call to say they are coming past.
Maintain your steady speed until the truck is FULLY onto the other side of the road. They, if you want to get the truck past you as soon as possible, you can lift off the throttle and wash off a little speed, but don't brake.
As the truck comes alongside your 'van/trailer, just 'take up the slack' with the throttle to keep your rig 'stretched' but don't accelerate. Maintain a sensible road position (not too far left).
When the last trailer has passed you, give a 2 or 3 second high-beam flash so the driver knows he's clear of you and can pull back in.
That technique has worked very
well for us for several years now on normal two-lane highways. If you're on a single-width road, it's a bit harder. If the road has regular floodways, these are often wider sections. Tell the following truck driver you'll pull over at the next floodway of he/she gives you a little room to move. Otherwise ask them if they know of place coming up soon where you can get off the road safely.
Like passing oncoming truck on single lane roads, you and you rig will be better-off if you can get right off the road and let them stay on the bitumen.
I know the language on UHF 40 can be bit 'blue', especially in towns, but if you haven't tried it you might find it
well worth your while to make contact with the truckies when next towing your caravan across this wide brown land.
Ian