passing vehicles with the trailer
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12064
Printed Date: 26 Jun 2025 at 11:58am
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Topic: passing vehicles with the trailer
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Subject: passing vehicles with the trailer
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2018 at 7:56pm
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I have trouble judging when I can safely return to the slow lane after passing another, slower vehicle on the interstate. Recently, I was in a traffic slow-down, went into the 'fast' lane because of a temporary blockage but when I returned to the 'slow' lane a truck I thought I was safely in front of, but coming up fast, 'took umbrage' and blasted me with his horn.
(Don't get me started on the deterioration I've seen in the quality of semi drivers. Some of them shouldn't be allowed on the road.)) Any tips/suggestions/comments on how to judge passing distance are appreciated. |
Replies:
Posted By: seafans
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2018 at 9:16pm
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Generally if you can see the vehicle in back of you in your mirrors its safe to move over. The way people drive today like they are all on a race track you might have to be quick. Some trucks will blink there head lights to signal its safe to move over but not every time. I try to do that for most and they do seam to appreciate it. I've had better luck with semi trucks than Dodge Ram trucks. |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 12:40am
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You shouldn't be trying to do sudden lane changes with a trailer in tow in the first place. You need to give semi drivers a lot of slack. They can be in the neighborhood of 88,000 lbs, and they can't do anything "suddenly". I'm not saying you were in the wrong, but I wouldn't be too quick to judge a semi driver either.
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 6:51am
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Seafans - Thank you. GlueGuy wrote - "... I wouldn't too quick to judge a semi driver either." I don't want this string highjacked. The issue of the lamentable decline in quality of the drivers of these 88,000 pound trucks and the unnecessary deaths of innocent families, including children, all resulting from the greed of the trucking industry really demands a separate thread. As I wrote, "Don't get me started". In the meantime, please focus - "Any tips/suggestions/comments on how to judge passing distance are appreciated." |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 7:17am
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If you have trouble judging the space, consider a rear view camera on the back of the Pod. We are about 15 feet longer total from the eX/Pod combo now. The Lance has a rear view camera, and darned if I don't like it very much. We don't use it much for backing and getting into campsites.. but on the road, love it. ------------- |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 8:35am
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I have had fair luck with using the turn signals early, to let folks know I want to change lanes. I've noticed semis generally give me same courtesy they provide each other by flashing lights to let me know I have cleared them and have space to move over. I also have larger extendable mirrors on the TV which have helped visually. When I set up my RV GPS option, I was surprised TV and TT were 44' long. Lot of moving stuff and understand the concerns. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 10:14am
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Furpod has an excellent suggestion with the use of a rear camera. I hope one of the future improvements on the R-Pod with be at least they putting in the wiring to mount a rear camera as they now do in the Jayco Hummingbird. You may want to look into adding on rear view mirror extenders that will give you a better sight view to the rear. ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 3:16pm
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Sorry. Not intended ti hijack, but I felt I had to say that. I will say +1 to the rear-view camera. They are relatively inexpensive these days, and there is a large selection to choose from. personally, I think I might lean toward one of the wired units, but that's probably a personal decision. Our rig plus the R-pod is in the neighborhood of 44', so there is a fair amount of distance to factor into the equation. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: crw8sr
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 5:15pm
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I installed a rear view camera on the license plate of our 190 and it's a great help with lane changes, backing and just seeing what goes on back there. ------------- Chuck & Lyn Izzy, Morkie. RIP Zoe Joy & Gracie, Yorkie 2018 R Pod 190 2019 Traverse In moments of adversity;when life's a total wreck, I think of those worse off than me and really feel like heck. |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 5:19pm
Excellent idea!!! I was wondering where and how to install a rear view camera and you have maybe supplied a good answer! Could you please supply me and other forum users more details of what kind of camera you bought, and how you wired it direct and mounted it on the license plate frame??? In advance thank you! ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: crw8sr
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 5:57pm
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I had the idea after our first outing with our R-pod and not being able to see what's back there. I found a Peak wireless backup camera in the clearance bin at Menard's for $60 and took a chance it would work. I attached it to the license with some metal strap. Removed the license plate frame from the R-pod and spliced the power to the camera into the license plate light and reattached it to the R-pod. The lights on TV have to be on to power the camera which is okay because I drive with my lights on on the highway anyway. The monitor is plugged into a power port (formerly called cigarette lighter) and stuck on the windshield. Viola! I can see what you're doing back there, so behave yourselves!!! ------------- Chuck & Lyn Izzy, Morkie. RIP Zoe Joy & Gracie, Yorkie 2018 R Pod 190 2019 Traverse In moments of adversity;when life's a total wreck, I think of those worse off than me and really feel like heck. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 9:28pm
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I don't know the type of tow vehicle the OP has. I purchased a set of towing mirrors from 1A Auto for our Nissan Frontier. These are power, heated mirrors which are larger than the stock mirrors. They are extend (manually) to give a better view of what is behind. Many states only specify that you should be able to behind you for 200 ft. Some specify that it has to be a line of sight parallel to the tow vehicle. If the trailer is wider than the tow vehicle, towing mirrors, either replacements or strap/clamp on mirrors are essential.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2018 at 9:53am
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What I generally do is use my towing mirrors (you do have them, don't you?) and my depth perception to see when the end of my TV+trailer is 1 or more lengths in front of the passed vehicle. Then I signal and check the mirrors again. THEN, I move over into the other lane. The other visual clue is the 16-30 year old driver who tailgates you as you pass then zips into the gap between you and the passed vehicle and gives you the finger as they pass you on the right side.  Sometimes shadows of the passed/passing vehicles can help. Used to be that semi drivers would flash their headlights at you when it was safe to pull back into their lane. This generation of truck drivers evidently don't know about that courtesy. ------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2018 at 10:04am
Yeah! I've noticed that too. They used to flash their tail lights when we offered them the same courtesy. fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2018 at 2:34pm
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Some of them still do. I think it is about 50/50.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2018 at 3:04pm
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Turn the blinker on like your asking a question, they will tell you when your clear, that's how they do each other. They don't want an accident anymore than you do. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |