"Trucks busses left lane only"

[Skater]

What do you do?

I saw this sign a bunch of times on the PA turnpike over the weekend in construction zones, so I was wondering what the proper course of action is.

There's a similar one that specifically mentions trailers, so no problem there; I hop to the left lane for that.

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by Skater

What do you do?

I saw this sign a bunch of times on the PA turnpike over the weekend, so I was wondering what the proper course of action is.

There's a similar one that specifically mentions trailers, so no problem there; I hop to the left lane for that.

When I see that sign out west, I'm told it's because the road is crummy and the additional weight will trash it even more.

[Jammer]

The signs are part of a recent strategy to keep heavy traffic on the permanent part of the roadway during construction to minimize damage to shoulder areas that are temporarily being used as travel lanes. A growing number of states are doing this.

In general, Airstreams aren't heavy enough to pose a problem. A fully loaded truck will have typically carry close to 37,000 pounds on each tandem axle pair, in comparison to around 6,000 for most Airstreams.

[overlander64]

I keep to the right as I don't exceed 60 MPH when towing either of my trailers. When these lane switch advisories are posted, I generally begin looking for the closest secondary road if the traffic is heavy. My Airstream in tow means that I am in recreation mode and being forced to travel in excess of 60 MPH is not my idea of fun when traveling for recreation . . . but I will reduce my exposure to irate travelers on the Interstates by choosing secondary highways for the vast majority of my travel.

Kevin

[Nuvite-F]

Like Jammer said, these signs are posted when construction causes the shoulder to be used as the right traffic lane. It isn't built to carry 80,000 pound GVW trucks so they ask them to use the left lane, which is the former right traffic lane.

I take either lane with my 7,000 pound GVW tow vehicle (which is usually not fully loaded) and my 4,000 pound GVW trailer.
.

[c_lewis77]

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

When I see that sign out west, I'm told it's because the road is crummy and the additional weight will trash it even more.

That pretty much describes the PA turnpike!

[noreen&sal]

If you don't want to destroy your rig, get in the left lane and stay the h**l off that washboard shoulder. Sal.

[overlander63]

There's also the possibility the lane trucks are being warned away from is narrower than the other lane. I've noticed this a few times, so now I move into the "truck lane" to take advantage of the width.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by c_lewis77

That pretty much describes the PA turnpike!

Ah, a veteran I see!

Good discussion. Of course what I do depends on the situation - if one lane is wider, I'll head for that lane. I didn't think about the weight issue at all, but that makes a lot of sense.

My general problem with these signs is that they basically "invert" the normal traffic flow - slower people are now to the left and faster to the right. Unfortunately there are plenty of cars that don't get the hint, and suddenly now both lanes are going well under the speed limit. With the B190 while towing a car, I used to just follow the directions for trucks, figuring it would be wider or smoother, and because I was usually going slower than the cars.

[MrUKToad]

Last year we hit some construction north bound on I59 in Alabama. All traffic was sharing the northbound side so some of the traffic was on the shoulder, some in lane 1; the two streams were separated by the big temporary concrete walls they use. I tried staying right, on what is normally the shoulder, as the construction company has made it a little wider with a few inches of black stuff added on the right hand side. The trouble was that the extended area was a couple of inches lower than the shoulder and the wheels of the Airstream kept dropping down to the lower level; not fun at 50mph and with the prospect of 15 more miles of the construction to go. Then I realised that all the heavy trucks were in the left lane, tucked up against the wall; obviously they were having the same problem and felt happier hugging the concrete wall. I moved over and whilst it was a long 15 miles being so close to the wall on the left, at least the trailer kept straight and true.

The moral of the story? Do what the truckers do; they have the experience.

[c_lewis77]

Originally Posted by MrUKToad

Last year we hit some construction north bound on I59 in Alabama. All traffic was sharing the northbound side so some of the traffic was on the shoulder, some in lane 1; the two streams were separated by the big temporary concrete walls they use. I tried staying right, on what is normally the shoulder, as the construction company has made it a little wider with a few inches of black stuff added on the right hand side. The trouble was that the extended area was a couple of inches lower than the shoulder and the wheels of the Airstream kept dropping down to the lower level; not fun at 50mph and with the prospect of 15 more miles of the construction to go. Then I realised that all the heavy trucks were in the left lane, tucked up against the wall; obviously they were having the same problem and felt happier hugging the concrete wall. I moved over and whilst it was a long 15 miles being so close to the wall on the left, at least the trailer kept straight and true.

The moral of the story? Do what the truckers do; they have the experience.

Good call.