Visit our Popular Forums

MrUKToad · 05-31-2011, 09:40 PM

Tailgating seems to be the Provincial sport here in Ontario. It's fine when you're not towing because at least you can see the bloodshot eyes of the guy behind you, but when towing it's a nightmare. My mirrors are pretty good and I can see behind the Airstream quite well; except when the idiot behind is only 6 feet off my bumper! Sometimes the only clue to there being anyone there is the shadow on the road. Last weekend I slowed quite rapidly as someone was turning left in front of me and the guy behind ran off the road to avoid hitting me (serves him right).

What's the situation elsewhere in North America?

**azflycaster** · 05-31-2011, 09:51 PM

No one likes to be tailgated. My solution to this is to slow down a little, if the person is still tailgating I slow down a little more. They will get the message...

overlander64 · 06-01-2011, 01:31 AM

Greetings MrUKToad!

Tailgating is a problem in the US as well. As Richard mentions in his post, when I am aware of a someone following too closely, i begin slowing gradually and begin looking for a safe place to pull off to allow the impatient follower to pass.

Something that you may have not discovered (and it may not be true in your late model coach) is that Airstreams are/were often designed with a "see-through" floorplan. One way to determine if your coach has this design is to sit in front of your center front window and look to the rear - - if you can see all the way through your coach to the center rear window -- your coach has the "see-throug" design. Should your coach have this design, you can replace your center rock guard with clear Lexan rather than the factory dark tinted which would facilitate taking advantage of the "see-through" feature by leaving your center front and rear drapes open and securing any aisle doors in the open position prior to travel -- then, you can see through your coach and observe what is immediately behind your coach using your tow vehicle's rear view mirror -- this assumes that you are towing with a truck-based vehicle that is high enough to allow the sighting through the trailer. I enjoy this feature on both my Overlander and Minuet when I tow with my Suburban.

If it hadn't created such a dangerous situation, my Overlander provided what could have been a comedic interlude with an Oldsmobile Cutlass that was tailgating my Overlander in North Dakota several years ago. The road conditions were horrible and it was virtually impossible to find a safe pull-off point so I had slowed considerably to allow the car an opportunity to pass me. While waiting for his passing opportunity, the weld broke on the rear spare tire carrier on the Overlander sending the spare tire bounding to the pavement where it struck immediately ahead of the Oldsmobile's bumper then bounded over the Oldsmobile (without touching the car in any way) then hit the pavement behind the Oldsmobile and veered off the highway into the ditch. A fellow caravanner who was following us retrieved the undamaged spare tire/wheel/wheelcover from the ditch and we all met beside the road. Neeless to say, the spare tire carrier and any of its remnants have been removed from the Overlander's bumper.

Kevin

Lumatic · 06-01-2011, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrUKToad

T except when the idiot behind is only 6 feet off my bumper! Sometimes the only clue to there being anyone there is the shadow on the road.

I suspect some tailgaters think they are getting a MPH boost by drafting.

I put a video camera mounted in my AS rear window. I can see what is behind me both on the road and backing into campsites.

Melody Ranch · 06-01-2011, 08:08 AM

I am anti social about this dangerous practice. Years ago I found that the best ..and positive...way to keep tailgaters off my rear wheel ( me on motorcycle) was to keep a handful of ball bearings handy. When tailgated ...just a few bearings dropped below the bike usually cleared the offender off and away quickly.

Wingeezer · 06-01-2011, 09:10 AM

Well, truth to tell, I am much more bothered about tailgaters when I am driving the truck with no trailer behind - and most especially when I am riding my motorcycle, then it really bothers me!

As for when I am towing the trailer, it probably isn't a smart philosophy, but I really don't give a thought about who may be back there that I can't see! Even if I do catch a glimpse of them now and then on a tight curve.

Its his lookout - although I admit it could be quite a pain dealing with the damage he may cause if he hits me, even though the responsibility would be his, and would be very disruptive to our trip. Always possible he/she may have no insurance too!

Maybe now you have brought it to my attention, I will fret over it more - I hope not, I worry enough about my trailer or tow vehicle breaking down en route to want to add more worries to detract from enjoyment of our travels!

Brian.

SoCalStreamr · 06-01-2011, 09:14 AM

Tailgating is an unfortunate reality of any megalopolis or major city with heavier traffic patterns and people feeling rushed. Also as gas prices spike, some a******e decides that your AS is the best thing to NASCAR draft for a 10mpg bump on the highway. I should red sharpie on the outside of the shade of my rear window "CAUTION, MAKES SUDDEN STOPS" but I doubt it would help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander64

...sending the spare tire bounding to the pavement where it struck immediately ahead of the Oldsmobile's bumper then bounded over the Oldsmobile (without touching the car in any way) then hit the pavement behind the Oldsmobile...A fellow caravanner who was following us retrieved the undamaged spare tire...

I wonder who retrieved the poop from the driver of the Oldsmobile's pants.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

...keep a handful of ball bearings handy. When tailgated ...just a few bearings dropped below the bike usually cleared the offender off and away quickly.

Incredibly missguided, criminally prosecutable behavior. Way to suggest a potential felony nevermind that if you want to get shot or ran down, damage agressive drivers cars when riding a motorcycle. If you are close enough to hit me with ball bearings/rocks/nuts and bolts I am close enough to see you did it. Dont even start with the "cars cant catch me on a bike". Mine can and does regularly. Dont get yourself killed, keep the rubber side down and practice being a good citizen.

Splitrock · 06-01-2011, 09:38 AM

Around here tailgating refers to showing up early for spectator sports with a grill and a cooler full of adult beverages. In South Dakota the driving danger is hitting a deer or getting blown off the road by a cross wind. I have driven in Chicago . . . there they pull around the car in front and hit the brakes.

Gringo · 06-01-2011, 02:26 PM

Ball bearings! outrageous. And hard to defend.

now...if a half dozen of your favorite golf balls fell out of your jacket pocket.....

that would just be a shame, wouldn't it.

Lumatic · 06-01-2011, 06:21 PM

Airstream had the perfect solution in the 70s, the Thermosan. It was a device that connected the black water tank to the exhaust manifold on the tow.

Gringo · 06-01-2011, 07:42 PM

so, your stuff hit his fan...

nilesrob · 06-01-2011, 07:44 PM

People here in Atlanta drive like angels. Don't know what you folks are talking about.

Nuvite-F · 06-01-2011, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumatic

Airstream had the perfect solution in the 70s, the Thermosan. It was a device that connected the black water tank to the exhaust manifold on the tow.

Works for motor homes, not so well for trailers!

I like the bumper sticker that says, "GET ANY CLOSER AND I'LL FLUSH IT!"

.

ROBERT CROSS · 06-01-2011, 08:40 PM

This is how it's done in Buffalo......

Bills tailgating tradition continues - YNN, Your News Now

Jim & Susan · 06-01-2011, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nilesrob

People here in Atlanta drive like angels. Don't know what you folks are talking about.

Don't get out much anymore, do ya Brad?

TBRich · 06-01-2011, 08:54 PM

One of my big fears with the Airstream (in addition to hail) is getting rear-ended... People can be such idiots behind the wheel sometimes. And they give you no leeway when you're pulling around all that trailer!

noreen&sal · 06-02-2011, 04:20 AM

Remote control black tank dump valve. Sal.

Gringo · 06-02-2011, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

This is how it's done in Buffalo......

Bills tailgating tradition continues - YNN, Your News Now

Buffalo has long been one of the leading programs in the research to determine the effects of repeated re-freezing of brain tissue...

GeocamperAS · 06-02-2011, 06:11 AM

If you brake, they know you did it on purpose and usually get upset with you. When I am not towing, I wash my windows. The over spray make them wash theirs. If they don't back off the first time, they usually do the second time. Now as often as this happens to me I should buy stock in washer fluid.