I just got back from trailering my horse to the trainer's barn (about 12 miles) for a lesson.  On the way back home, I was going along the road and approaching a place where two lanes merge into one.  I always make sure I am in the left lane, so I don't have to worry about trying to get over.  It was before noon, so traffic was light.  Well, right as I am getting to where the right lane runs out, I notice a tractor trailer coming up from behind me in the soon to be nonexistent right lane.  He was trying to pass me and get in front of me AS the lane was running out!  He was already half on the shoulder.  Why didn't this moron just slide in behind me?  I ended up hitting my brakes to let the jerk in, because I had no idea what he might do next, all with my quite valuable horse in the trailer.  You would think if anyone would understand the physics of hauling it would be a truck driver.  I so wish he had one of those "How's my driving?" stickers on the back!  I jammed on my horn, but the idiot never gave an inch.  Oh, yeah, and I ended up right next to him at the next stop light (the road widens right back out to two lanes, again in about 1/4 mile).  I was turning there, so I didn't get to look at him and yell at him. 

And I had just been congratulating our locals on the way to the trainer's at how courteous MOST of them are in the area around my barn, as MOST of them are really good about keeping a nice following distance from my trailer.

We had several instances of bad drivers (we live in the BayArea California....lot's of bad drivers and few with sympathies about horse trailers): there are alwasy the ones that try to pass you on the right when two lanes are merging...and a few time they were those big cement blocks/barriers on the right.

As for truck drivers...well we usually go to events with one of then and: he is overloaded by a few thousand lbs and his tires are kind of saggy....but at least he admits it...

RE: What the h@!! is wrong with people?!

My first thought would be ALOT!

We were in the center lane of a three lane highway going 65 mph, when a car in the left lane cut directly across the front of us to make the exit ramp. He was so close, that part of his car disappeared under our hood line. I had to nail the brakes and jerk the wheel as hard to the right as I could to avoid him. We did, but the next half a mile of tail wagging was pure hell.

People don't think, and if they do, don't care at all.

Gard

There are all kinds of jerks out there driving trucks these days.  Just because they are truckers doesn't mean they are either courteous or intelligent.  I come from a long line of professional truckers, and they all lament the quality of drivers today.

Marla

we have had our share of stuff pulling a horse trailer,you can imagine,living in Arkansas.Usually people will sit there looking at you until you are nearly on them,then,decide to pull out in front of you then poke along about 25MPH.I don't think they realize or CARE that you can't stop on a dime.

The most amazing and hair raising feats behind a wheel that I've seen were not when we were pulling a trailer,but,in Memphis when we were in my little HOnda.I saw a couple of stunts that Jeff Gordon wouldn't dare try.

Around here I'm constantly shaking my finger that has a spring in it, my loaded spring finger I should say. People don't think, and simple thinking, and basics has gone right out the window with most folks nowadays. It's all about the "ME" generation!

Up here in the mountains, they will ride your arse and honk their horns like you can go any faster down hill, on very curvey sierras roads, and these are 15-20 mph curves with signs and a big arrow, now a car is supposed to go that slow so you can imagine what a truck and trailer has to do loaded around them curves. Anyways, they try to pass on these turns, now mind you the road is basically 1 1/2 car width in spots even narrower, and they try to pass! Duh  idiots!!!! The other thing is funny is that I always down shift, use my lower gears, and exhuast brake, never really needing to ride my trailer brakes, so my brake lights never come on, I love it, as they ride up and then slam on their brakes. If they only figure, you don't need to ride your brakes, cars or truck, keep your foot off the pedal and downshift, will save your car in the meantime too.

Gosh, I could go on and on. Takes all kinds I guess. It just takes alot of defenssive driving around here. 

I usually dont give alot either....I have found that if you just keep coming from the right lane into the left lane they have two choices...

hit the brakes and drive like they have some hint of brains or run off in the median. 

90% of them do not want the bend in their car.  Truck drivers i really havent had a problem with.  Truth be known i really dont want any paint on my trailer but you have to make them think you dont give a dam.

There's the answer to your question

"90% of them do not want the bend in their car.  Truck drivers i really havent had a problem with.  Truth be known i really dont want any paint on my trailer but you have to make them think you dont give a dam"

Problem with that is: they're thinking that same thing,'i'll make  them think  that I don't give a dam' etc.I DO give one and dont' care if they figure it out,or not.

you have to play defense and OFFense...sometimes you have to take the initiative and make something happen.

the other day had a motorcycle that we caught up to, wasnt running fast maybe 60-65.  when he had a chance to move from the left lane into the right he wouldnt, this went on for several miles.  so i get over into the right lane to pass, this is large trailer and a 4400 so picking up speed doesnt happen in the blink of an eye.  after building up my momentum i catch up to a car in the right lane and have to move over into the left behind the motorcycle.  again he wouldnt let me pass, each time he would speed up or slow down beside cars then speed up after clearing them.  after several more miles i decided enough was enough this had happened several times.  after showing him the front of the International very close, as in close enough that i couldnt see his motorcycle anymore, just his helmet and shoulders.  He then decided to move.  It takes a dumba$$ on both ends to do this, but a much larger one on the motorcycle. 

These folks are in a zone, they drive with blinders on.  They are in there on little world and nothing else matters.  Everyone else is supposed to get out of their way.  I dont drive bad but after i give someone the benefit of the doubt a few times then I dont have alot of patience after that.

ignorance can be educated...stupidity is permanent.  most of them fall into that category.

Hey gard you forgot to turn down the magnification down on your font size

I rest my case. No I didn't forget

What really makes me mad is when semi's and pickup trailers large campers ect, go right down the middle of town when they are just going through town not stopping for anything.  They make truck routes for a reason.  When I hit a big town I try to avoid traffic for any reason because people are dumb and drive like idiots. 

Thier isn't much worse than being stuck in traffic with p/u and trailer and not being able to get over into the lane you want.  But I hate when people drive right beside your trailer on the interstate.  Its simple concept either pass or stay behind me.   

brew you gotta learn to be offensive dude...just let the trailer wiggle a little and or crowd the lane...you will get it cleared.

Hey gard, got another one for ya..while cruising down I20 at 80 trying to get home in the heat of the day my tires were rather warm (really hot as he!!) I had to get off on 80 to come home.  Got off on hwy 80 and before I could get up to speed guy in pickup truck was glued like super glue to my rear.  Weaving in and out trying to get around, he was close.  Well got up to about 60-65 for about two miles and ..............BOOOOOMmmmm.  One of them G rated 125psi tire blew out.  Yep sounded like a cannon went off back there...could have been a bomb...both of which I have never heard.  Heck of a noise I can tell ya.  Anyway the guy in back like to have wrecked trying to get off my rear.  Tire flying up hit his bumper before he could move.  The whole tread staying nearly intact when it came off so it was a big piece.  There wasnt anyone else around.  He decided to drive like he had some since after the smoke started coming off the rest of what was left but I suspect the pinch mark in his driver seat had something to do with it as well.  Personally hated to change the tire but it was kinda funny seeing the guy in my mirror get the heck out of the way.

On another note I guess I should try out for nascar maybe..stopped, changed the tire, cleaned up, took a leak, got a cold drink for the road all in 10 minutes... not bad for a guy by himself I didnt think.

brew you gotta learn to be offensive dude...just let the trailer wiggle a little and or crowd the lane...you will get it cleared.

I don't want to do anything stupid or risky with $100,000 worth of horse standing behind me.

Had to go through Atlanta last Feb-March to pickup a horse. No issue going north but when I was coming south I was on I-285 trying to get on I-675. Had my blinker on going slow and finaly got my chance to merge when some idiot in a SUV deceided he want their. By this time I was ticked off. I stabbed the pedal and started moving right, a big no-no with my truck because it is turned up some....LOL... Out came the big cloud of black smoke, Oops. Anyways, he got the picture and moved...LOL  I have never cared to do the smoke show thing but I guess I found out what the purpose was supposed to be for....