How to take highway curves?

Kind of like downhill. You can do it to slow a million times, but to fast only once.

Seriously do not worry about how fast someone else is going. They may be empty, they may be a low load, they could just have a little more power so they can pull through the turn.


It helps if you can tug on your trailer as you go through the turn. Not hold it to the floor acceleration, but a good steady pull you can maintain through the apex.

 

Most ppl find out they are going to fast for a curve when they are driving in the ditch. Untill than you are fine.

 

The reason they couldn't answer is that there is NO proper measurement. I remember a job I had doing a dedicated run. One day they increased the load per truck and we had two drivers tip over on the same ramp at the same spot. There is no defacto on how fast you can go around bends you just have to feel your truck and your load with one sobering rembramce in mind. You can go too slow all you want but you only get to go too fast once. Who knows those other trucks might be empty, might be loaded with freight soo heavy it's only 3ft tall. Dont worry about what their doing driver get ur load where it's going safe and secure the rest will come with time, just remember you only get to make that mistake once.

 

If the load is stacked Hi inside trailer and heavy it will need to driven slower around curves to keep leaning to a safe limit?

 

Go with your gut. If it feels too fast then slow down. When I was brand new other trucks would blow my doors off lol. It takes time to get the feel of what your truck can do

 

Go as fast as you feel comfortable and safe.... As mentioned above there is no set answer with the exception of the being at or below the speed limit. And don't worry about what other trucks are doing, let them drive their trucks and you drive your truck.

 

If it feels too fast, it is too fast. I generally go 5 to 10 slower than what the sign by the curve says the first time or two I go around and then start hitting it a little faster if it feels like it's safe to do so.

 

Sometimes I get dispatched to Washington for a load of apples. They are the worse loads for the curves. They always stack the pallets high. A big difference between the load of apples and a load of pharmaceuticals.

 

There is no correct maximum speed as each load will have a different Center of gravity .. low and heavy can go quicker without leaning as opposed to a double stacked load ... your doing it right by trusting your sense that it’s leaning