Lane choice

jasin1 · 03-06-2021, 05:37 AM

So I’m heading up 95 thru the Carolinas ..on the way down I was taking it easy for tv break in...what’s the opinion on which lane to use?..if I stay in the right lane when it’s only two lanes I’m relegated to all the pot holes. Do most of you drive in the fast lane and keep up with traffic ? Or stay in the right lane trying to dodge pot holes at a lower speed....which is worse for the tires? Pot holes or high speed? ...it really sucks the conditions of the roads thru different states

**flybouy** · 03-06-2021, 06:07 AM

I guess first you have to define the speed of "keeping up with traffic"..Is that 65 to 70., 70 to 75, or 75 to ?... Big difference especially in relation to tire speed rating?..

dutchmensport · 03-06-2021, 06:20 AM

I've done both ... sort of. Except, I never go faster than 65. If I piss people off, I really don't care. Really! It's not about THEM ... it's about ME. I've invested over $100,000 in my camper and tow vehicle. I'll be damned if anyone expects me to drive it putting myself or others in danger. THEY are the one speeding in the fast lane. THEY are the ones breaking the law. Just because you do not get stopped by law enforcement for speeding, does not mean you are STILL not breaking the law.

No. for this VERY reason, we avoid interstates at all costs. Secondary roads are always less beat up, and traffic runs slower. I quit driving interstates more than 10 years ago. Every now and then, we have no choice. It seems they get worse and worse each year. As fast as possible without taking us too far out of our way, we exit the interstates. People are insane and they DON'T give a damn about you. Why should you give a damn about them. Drive secondary roads with your camper. Why be in such a hurry anyway!

Its should NEVER be about speed with our RV's. It should ALWAYS be about safety. If the road is to dangerous (speed or potholes), then drive a different road where it is safe. Simple as that.

Set your Tom-Tom or your Garmin for "No Interstates" and enjoy the drive once again!

rhagfo · 03-06-2021, 06:23 AM

Well I would base that on the speed each lane was traveling, you will always find someone wanting to do 85 in a 70 zone. I don't worry about tire speed as I have LT tires on the 5er rated at 103 mph, so if I need to run a little faster to stay with traffic I can.
It would also depend on the volume of traffic, if light and you can move right to allow a speed racer by fine. If heavy a bit of a crap shoot, the right lane might be held to a little bit faster than the right and you can hang there. The issue with that is that you will have those that just can't be behind a trailer, and will cut to the right at the first opening, and try to squeeze in in front of you!!!
Use your best judgment!!

NH_Bulldog · 03-06-2021, 06:41 AM

I use whatever lane is the smoothest, but balance that with prevailing traffic. In many states it is unlawful to loiter in the left lane unless you are actively passing someone, but if there is light traffic and no one is stacking up behind me, I will keep to the left if it is a better ride. It is also not unlawful in most states to pass on the right as long as you remain in the travel lane of two or more lanes going in the same direction (no using the breakdown lane to pass).

The concrete joints on I-69 between Port Huron and Flint, MI used to jar your dental work in the right lane, so I kept to the left and let people pass on the right if they wanted to get by bad enough.

jasin1 · 03-06-2021, 06:44 AM

I will try and balance it.. I don’t go over 70 and that’s only in extreme situations. Thanks

rhagfo · 03-06-2021, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dutchmensport

I've done both ... sort of. Except, I never go faster than 65. If I piss people off, I really don't care. Really! It's not about THEM ... it's about ME. I've invested over $100,000 in my camper and tow vehicle. I'll be damned if anyone expects me to drive it putting myself or others in danger. THEY are the one speeding in the fast lane. THEY are the ones breaking the law. Just because you do not get stopped by law enforcement for speeding, does not mean you are STILL not breaking the law.
.....................................

Its should NEVER be about speed with our RV's. It should ALWAYS be about safety. If the road is to dangerous (speed or potholes), then drive a different road where it is safe. Simple as that.

Set your Tom-Tom or your Garmin for "No Interstates" and enjoy the drive once again!

The statement in RED can really get you in trouble! First of all, most interstates now have 70 mph speed limits, that and hanging in the left lane not passing is also a against the law in most states.

**flybouy** · 03-06-2021, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasin1

I will try and balance it.. I don’t go over 70 and that’s only in extreme situations. Thanks

Just exercise some patience and common sense. I used to vut across VA to go to central NC and it was like the road from Kuwait during the gulf war. I would use the smoother lane towing or not. Kept an eye on the review as always and if someone was closing fast from behing I'd move over ans slow down a bit until that lane cleared. Reducing the speed from 65 to 60 ain't the end of the world.

Ken / Claudia · 03-06-2021, 07:39 AM

I primarily drive Oregon, Idaho and Washington freeways. Worked on Oregon freeways. There are not pot holes on freeways, if so they get filled in hours or someone on a 2 wheeler might be killed. And cars get damaged quickly. There are grooved paths from tire wear and joints. Mostly in the right lane.
I spent to much time driving in the left lane to not want to use it only for what it's purpose, passing slower traffic. When in the left lane you really should check your mirrors every few seconds. That means rotating your head almost all the time to be a safe driver, pulling a trailer or not. Right lane is more relaxing. Passing vehicles go around you on the left.
Issues between drivers on highways and freeways is maybe 99.8 times involved in left lane use. If the person is speeding up behind you and you are traveling at the speed limit in the left lane. Get out of their way. Unless your a police officer, its not up to you to slow traffic down. State troopers have a name for those who refuse to move over when they should yield to faster traffic, left lane rangers and In Oregon they get tickets.
If towing, check your state laws. Oregon says, no one is allowed to pull any trailer in the left lane. Unless your passing slower traffic. "Failure to drive in right lane" is a popular cite in the metro areas. "Impeding traffic" is another. That means 3 or more vehicles are stacked up behind you, that want to drive faster.
Forgot to mention: "Fail to yield to emergency vehicle." Any vehicle with emergency lights and or siren on, if there on your tail in the left lane you failed to yield. You should have seen them long before that. Not many warnings are given out on that violation.

kfxgreenie · 03-06-2021, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dutchmensport

I've done both ... sort of. Except, I never go faster than 65. If I piss people off, I really don't care. Really! It's not about THEM ... it's about ME. I've invested over $100,000 in my camper and tow vehicle. I'll be damned if anyone expects me to drive it putting myself or others in danger. THEY are the one speeding in the fast lane. THEY are the ones breaking the law. Just because you do not get stopped by law enforcement for speeding, does not mean you are STILL not breaking the law.

So it is okay for you to break the law and put more people in danger? Your reasoning is the exact reason many states have right lane laws. You slow traffic causing congestion and are an overall hazard to the road.

"According to state law, any vehicle traveling "at less than the normal speed of traffic" must be driven in the right-hand lane, or as close as practicable, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle. A citation for violating this law costs $213.10 and four points on a driver's license."

hornet28 · 03-06-2021, 08:05 AM

I don't care what the conditions are. LEFT LANERS are a PIA. If the reason for running there is smoother travel great but move over when overtaken. It's already been said, in most states it's against the law and a great way to incite road rage. With an "It's all about me and to heck with everyone else" attitude I predict that sooner or later that person will be in trouble because of it

travelin texans · 03-06-2021, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhagfo

The statement in RED can really get you in trouble! First of all, most interstates now have 70 mph speed limits, that and hanging in the left lane not passing is also a against the law in most states.

That red highlighted section is the attitude of most drivers nowadays, "me 1st, get the hell outa my way!".
I drive in whichever lane is the smoothest, watching in the mirrors for Johnny Speedracer so I can move over if necessary, then watch him give the one finger wave as he goes by if, God forbid, he had to slow below 90 for a second.
Towing through metro area I'll NEVER be in the right lane, too many idiots cutting you of while entering/exiting the roadway. I pick a center lane, or possibly the left, & go. With multiple lanes there's plenty of room for those that have to be one car ahead to go around.
How many times have you had that vehicle zipping in/out of traffic like they're dodging machine gun fire & then have them be the vehicle directly in front of you at the next signal?

**chuckster57** · 03-06-2021, 08:21 AM

All the rude drivers I encounter get 153Db of train horn. It usually makes them take pause and crane their neck looking for the locomotive as I LMAO

**sourdough** · 03-06-2021, 08:30 AM

Like many I'm sure, I used to drive many more miles in a car (company) than towing a trailer. Those that have/had the mentality of sticking in the left lane, for whatever reason, are the cause of much, if not most, of the road rage that happens in the highways. I've seen some really crazy stuff due to those folks, and lines stretching miles all clogged due to "that" guy that believes he owns the left lane; when in fact it is illegal and the signs on the highway, which they apparently can't read, say so.

As far as the right lane having all the pot holes, I've not seen that. Are some f them in worse shape? Yes. Is that just part of it? Yes. If I'm on a stretch of highway where the right lane is obviously in worse shape than the left and there is no traffic I will go to the left lane. If I do so I will keep my eyes open for folks coming up behind and get in the right lane long before they get to me so I'm not a hindrance - many people DO NOT like to either be behind, or have to follow, a truck pulling a bit camper.

As far as getting in the left lane and "stay" there while trying to mirror traffic I would just ask myself why. In TX that left lane will be running 80-85mph, are you really going to get out there and try to "go with the flow"? Go at 65 and stay out of the way unless the speed limit is lower....then slow down. It has nothing to do with anything but safety....of the RV owner and the other folks on the highway. I don't care what TV you have it will not control that RV at 70+ mph in an emergency.

Javi · 03-06-2021, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

Like many I'm sure, I used to drive many more miles in a car (company) than towing a trailer. Those that have/had the mentality of sticking in the left lane, for whatever reason, are the cause of much, if not most, of the road rage that happens in the highways. I've seen some really crazy stuff due to those folks, and lines stretching miles all clogged due to "that" guy that believes he owns the left lane; when in fact it is illegal and the signs on the highway, which they apparently can't read, say so.

As far as the right lane having all the pot holes, I've not seen that. Are some f them in worse shape? Yes. Is that just part of it? Yes. If I'm on a stretch of highway where the right lane is obviously in worse shape than the left and there is no traffic I will go to the left lane. If I do so I will keep my eyes open for folks coming up behind and get in the right lane long before they get to me so I'm not a hindrance - many people DO NOT like to either be behind, or have to follow, a truck pulling a bit camper.

As far as getting in the left lane and "stay" there while trying to mirror traffic I would just ask myself why. In TX that left lane will be running 80-85mph, are you really going to get out there and try to "go with the flow"? Go at 65 and stay out of the way unless the speed limit is lower....then slow down. It has nothing to do with anything but safety....of the RV owner and the other folks on the highway. I don't care what TV you have it will not control that RV at 70+ mph in an emergency.

Yep...... I agree

rhagfo · 03-06-2021, 08:46 AM

I love nothing more than driving up a hill with a passing lane doing 60+ in the right lane to six cars race by me as the lane ends just to slam on their brakes and slow to 45 mph.

**chuckster57** · 03-06-2021, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhagfo

I love nothing more than driving up a hill with a passing lane doing 60+ in the right lane to six cars race by me as the lane ends just to slam on their brakes and slow to 45 mph.

Or in my case to like 25 as I only have 240HP.

G Giroux · 03-06-2021, 09:52 AM

My 2 cents: FIRST: I spend time and moneys makings sure that our tow vehicle matches what I'm towing. My ultimate goal is safety, properly matched combo should ensure that you are able to safely run at the posted speed limit, that being said, towing 10,000 +lbs should, in my mind, be kept under 65 mph. Side bar: if the posted speed limit is in the higher range (70+) then you are surely on a multiple lane road leaving multiple left lanes for passing. SECONDLY: Equally as important is a proper hitch combo... safety is not the time to go cheap. THIRD: I find that driving in the right lane (on a multiple lane road) causes some problems i.e. i) you have to constantly proactively react to speeding merging cars (no one wants to be behind an RV or Bus) so they race you to the merge ii) you also have to deal with slowing traffic for vehicles wanting to take exit ramps iii) you also have to deal with slow moving vehicles driving below the speed limit, sometimes commercial vehicles or simply Sunday drivers. CONCLUSION: For these reasons I try to stay within the speed limit in the second lane while watching for "weavers" in in the right lane. And like others who have posted my primary concern is safety for all.

G Giroux · 03-06-2021, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfxgreenie

So it is okay for you to break the law and put more people in danger? Your reasoning is the exact reason many states have right lane laws. You slow traffic causing congestion and are an overall hazard to the road.

"According to state law, any vehicle traveling "at less than the normal speed of traffic" must be driven in the right-hand lane, or as close as practicable, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle. A citation for violating this law costs $213.10 and four points on a driver's license."

What does "normal speed of traffic" mean. i.e. if the posted speed LIMIT is 60 mph does that mean that it is ok to follow the fellow ahead of me who is doing 80 mph because both of us and the ten guys doing the same behind us are now setting the "normal speed of traffic". is Speed LIMIT a requirement of is it only a suggestion?

Northofu1 · 03-06-2021, 10:21 AM

IMO
2 lane road, right lane as much as possible. The person in a car doesn't care how much you spent on a rig. Most are just trying to keep it together without going postal, you might want to avoid them going postal on you.

3 lanes or more, middle or second lane. Less potholes, less lane gullying from large trucks, less merging traffic.
Keep that rearview camera on, it's better than mirrors.

Stay off of 69 heading west of Port Huron

(Pssst I find that Michiganders, and Massachusetters drive like Ontarians - I try to get out of my crappy province and go around that state I mentioned)
Be cool, you're on vacation.

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