It’s Almost Trailer Time!
And we need to focus...
by R. Bruce Thomas
I'm not saying that you shouldn't be focused all the time when riding but, when you are in the vicinity of a trailer, you really need to be focused.
Think about it. Many of the trailers we see on the road are being hauled by someone who spends 50 weeks of the year driving to work in their compact car. Now, while on vacation for two weeks, they are pulling 30 feet or more of trailer and, in some cases they've got another 20 feet of boat tagged on behind. It is legal to pull two trailers in Alberta (first trailer must use a fifth-wheel connection and have at least two axles) with a combined overall length not exceeding 20 meters. It is important to keep in mind that these are not trained professionals and they have never had any training or testing before being set loose on the roads. I had a lot of classroom and road instruction before I could pull multiple semi-trailers on the open road and when I wasn't doing that all the time I lost the extended-length endorsement on my license.
Recognize the perhaps limited experience many of these drivers have, use a little extra patience, and try to vacate their area as soon as you can.
When you see a trailer be very mindful of their blind spots when you approach them. Many drivers don't add proper mirror extensions and can't see what's behind them. If you can't see their mirrors, they can't see you!
It is imperative that you give someone pulling a trailer plenty of room. As mentioned, many aren't used to the size of vehicle they are operating, or the turn radius they need, so they may cut corners short. Avoid being on the inside of a big vacation rig in a corner. You also need to watch for oncoming tailers as the rear-ends may cross the center line in a corner and you need to ensure you aren't in that space.
Realize that many of the vehicles pulling a trailer don't have enough power to do so in a manner that they aren't affecting other traffic. Expect them to be slower off the line and when climbing hills. Knowing the power of your own bike/vehicle is necessary so that you can safely overtake the behemoths. Again, be patient and don't try to rush your passing attempts which could compromise your safety or that of other road users.
In the past couple of years here in Edmonton we've seen the damage inflicted by professional drivers who didn't know the height of their loads. If the pros can goof up, don't be surprised when the amateurs make a mess of things. Be extra observant and aware of overloaded vehicles, poorly balanced or insecure loads, and erratic driving behaviour. Flapping boat covers and bouncing BBQ's are excellent reasons to give a wide berth to the offending vehicle.
After dark, be extra careful with your lane changes. It can often be difficult to ascertain that a vehicle passing you is pulling a trailer. Wait until you are definitely certain that you are looking at the back of a vehicle before changing lanes to follow it.
In recent years, many big rigs (semi-trucks, gravel trucks, etc.) have begun to be mindful of excess tire-wear. You can observe this by the raised axles when the rigs are empty. Only the tires that need to be rolling are on the ground. Use this info to your advantage in order to anticipate how they might accelerate or fit into the flow of traffic. If wheels are off the ground, don't expect them to be sluggish or to take a long time to slow down as they do when they are loaded.
With proper care and attention, and a focus on the details of surrounding traffic, riding season can be more enjoyable.
Ride responsibly, and often.