Truck notes


Speed - Acceleration and Braking

TURNS -

Bumps

Anticipating bumps

9000 - 12000 lbs of our friends

Merging

Reversing


We will be driving 24' box trucks loaded w approximately 9,000 to 12,000 lbs of our friends in the back. Accelerating, braking, and turning need to be done with this in mind.

Acceleration should be gradual and steady. No sudden jumps of RPMs should be necessary. While we must maintain some conformity to the traffic pattern and speed, there is no need for moving faster than absolutely necessary.
Sudden bursts of acceleration are not only going to do throw everyone in the back around, it also impedes the vehicles ability to smoothly shift gears as we gain speed.

Braking and deceleration should also be gradual and steady. It is imperative that we maintain a healthy distance from the vehicles in front of us so that we can anticipate any events we may not be able to see. There may be situations where we are required to quickly brake, but we should be mindful of our passengers.
Because of the weight of the passengers it will take longer to brake than it will with an empty truck. This should play into the distance we allow ourselves to decelerate and then brake. There is absolutely no reason to hold your foot on the gas and race to the point in which you have to apply the brakes. Let your foot off the gas early, allow the vehicle to lose some speed, and smoothly apply the brakes as needed.
At 55 MPH it will take about 6 seconds to stop a truck and the truck will have traveled about 512 feet.

Turning is possibly a very dangerous situation if the vehicle is moving too fast to make the curve. We will be top heavy. And depending on the make and model of the vehicle it could be very top heavy. For example Penske trucks have a higher box compared to Uhaul trucks.
Common sense may play into how much we need to brake when taking turns and curves, however there are usually signs along the road with recommended speeds in black on yellow. This is not a suggestion. DO NOT EXCEED THE SPEED STATED.
When coming to a turn, decelerate by letting your foot off the gas well before you know you will have to brake, gradually apply the brakes and bring your self down to the proper speed before the turn, and lightly accelerate through the turn to maintain speed. We should be traveling at the proper speed before the turn begins.
While turning on city streets use your mirrors to ensure you are not cutting them to close.

We should be looking 12-15 seconds ahead. This is about a city block in town and on the hiway about a quarter mile. We should all be able to determine how far a quarter mile is with a few quick jogs down the road if you are not familiar.

Mirrors should be checked and adjusted before departure.

Blinkers should be used well in advance of any turn.

Hazards should be used in the event we need to pull over.

When you see a bump coming up that you need to brake for but have too little time to reduce your speed as needed, it is better to eat the bump and bounce a little than it is to slam on the brakes and bounce our passengers around a lot.