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Truckers and RVers share a common love for the open road, but their experiences differ considerably.
While both groups spend a significant amount of time traveling across the country, some may experience a little tension between the two groups.
It is common to hear members of both groups express their dissatisfaction with the other. These negative sentiments can arise due to disparities in their driving behaviors, choices of lifestyle, and attitudes toward each other.
Today, we’re looking at five reasons truckers often harbor negative feelings towards RVers. We’ll also share some tips for avoiding angering truckers during your RVing adventures.
Buckle up, and let’s get into it!
Do Truckers Dislike All RVers?
While there is a negative stereotype that truckers dislike all RVers, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, some truckers are very vocal about their disdain for RVers. However, it would be unfair to paint the entire industry of truck drivers with a broad brush.
We’ve heard from some truckers that they appreciate RVers, more than other drivers. This is because RVers, like truckers, typically tend to understand how difficult it is to navigate and maneuver a big rig on the open road. When possible, most RVers will do all they can to help truckers.
Does this mean that all truckers love RVers or that all RVers are great drivers? Absolutely not. However, it’s been our experience that the negative stereotype isn’t as widespread as some would lead you to believe.
5 Reasons Truckers Dislike RVers
While we might not have experienced hate from truckers, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. When you hear truckers having beef with RVers, it’s typically for one of several reasons.
Let’s look at some of the common reasons truckers dislike RVers.
1. Distracted Driving
Unfortunately, despite most states’ laws prohibiting distracted driving, only some RV drivers obey them.
We live in a world where many people think they must stay constantly connected. They hear their phone’s notification tone or feel their phone vibrate and struggle to fight the urge to respond.
In a typical year, more than 3,000 people die in collisions involving distracted driving, hundreds resulting from the use of cell phones.
Truckers see these accidents happen or the aftermath and get frustrated when they see individuals driving distracted, especially when behind the wheel of an RV.
2. Exceeding Vehicle Towing Capabilities
Truckers must follow very strict standards regarding weight and safety. It’s common for them to drive through roadside weight stations to check their weight and equipment. Unfortunately, even the largest RVs are typically exempt from these rules because they’re not commercial vehicles.
Far too many RVers purchase rigs without checking the compatibility with their tow vehicle. As a result, some drivers haul campers around when they shouldn’t.
Truckers see those drivers pushing their suspension to the max, knowing it could cause a very dangerous situation for them and others on the road.
Pro Tip: Buying an RV for the first time? Here’s what you need to know
3. Inconsiderate Parking
Another reason truckers don’t like RVers is that some people don’t consider others when parking their rigs at truck and rest stops.
Both groups of drivers frequently use these locations for refueling, using the restroom, and parking overnight. However, unlike RVers, truckers have fewer options.
Truck drivers operate on very strict time restraints and have limits on how long they can drive. Once they reach their limit, they must park for the night and get some rest.
Imagine the frustration a driver would experience finding an RV taking up multiple spots or blocking access to one. A truck driver only needs one experience like this to loathe RVers.
4. Truckers Are More Interested in the Destination
Truckers and RVers tend to operate on different mindsets when traveling. Most RVers are about enjoying the experience and taking their sweet time. However, for truckers, time is money, and the longer their trip takes, the longer it is until they can get home.
Getting stuck behind a large RV can be frustrating for truckers, especially if the RVer goes well below the posted speed limit.
If you’ve been stuck behind someone driving too slow, you can understand their frustrations. But for truckers, this can really interfere with their tight time schedules.
5. Not Using Signals
No matter how large your vehicle is, you should always use signals. Unfortunately, we’ve seen our fair share of RVers failing to use their indicators when changing lanes or making turns.
Using your signals allows other drivers to adjust accordingly to keep everyone safe. Anything that endangers a trucker’s life will cause them some frustration and anger.
Additionally, large semis can’t stop on a dime, so any unpredictable movements, especially from large RVs, can be very dangerous.
How to Avoid Angering Truckers While RVing
You can do some things to avoid angering truckers during your RVing adventures. Let’s examine some of the most important driving habits you should develop to avoid conflicts.
Give Plenty of Space
Truckers and RVers both require substantially more stopping distance and space for maneuvering. The golden rule of “treat others as you wish to be treated” applies in these situations.
Always give truckers the space you wish other drivers gave you in all situations. If they’re passing you, give them a flash of your lights to indicate it’s safe for them to get back over. They’ll appreciate you looking out for them and helping ensure their safety.
Use Turn Signals
Your turn signals allow you to communicate with truckers and others on the road. You must always use them, whether making a turn or changing lanes. If a driver is in your blind spot, this can warn them that you want to change lanes, and they can move or alert you of their presence.
Using your turn signal requires minimal effort. You only have to move your hand a few inches from the steering wheel to turn your indicator on. Manufacturers couldn’t make it any easier to exert less energy.
Be Patient
Travel days can be stressful, especially when things don’t go according to plan. However, avoid taking your frustrations out on truckers and other drivers on the road.
If you feel you’re experiencing anger or lack patience, find a place to pull over and take a break. Grab a coffee or soda to lift your spirits and improve your mood.
Having a lot of patience can make most situations in life more tolerable, including while RVing. As a result, we suggest you make sure that you add “patience” as an item to your packing list.
Avoid Sudden Braking
As mentioned, semis and RVs require a considerable amount of stopping distance. Unless it’s necessary, you should avoid sudden braking at all costs. Sudden braking is horrible for your braking system, and truckers rely on their brakes to be effective and last as long as possible.
If you’re braking suddenly while driving your RV, don’t expect truckers around you to be very happy with you. They can’t stop as quickly as other vehicles, and a rear-end collision with a semi could be deadly.
Keep in Mind: When towing a car behind your RV, you need a reliable RV braking system. Click the link to see the safest braking systems on the market!
Take Safety Seriously
To make friends with truckers, make sure you take safety seriously. This includes pre-trip inspections, maintaining your rig, and exhibiting safe driving practices. You can never take safety too seriously when behind the wheel of an RV.
Truckers, just like RVers, want to get home at the end of the day. The last thing they want to do is be stuck in traffic or involved in an accident. While you can’t control other drivers, you can control your driving. So do your part and take safety seriously.
Don’t Make Enemies with Truckers While RVing
Nobody wants to make an enemy while RVing. Truckers and RVers can work together to help make our highways and byways as safe as possible. Be a part of the solution and not the problem.
Drive safely, be patient, and always consider others when driving or parking. If everybody does their part, travel days can go smoother and much less stressful for everyone.
A large percentage of interstate accidents will involve a semi. I have seen distracted semi drivers as well way before purchasing our RV. Semis also take forever to pass slower moving traffic and clog the roadways. States like South Carolina and North Carolina only have 2 lanes on I-95 and slower traffic should be mindful of that. Semis are slower moving traffic when hauling a load. Respect works both ways. All drivers should follow these guidelines not just RVers.
The only legitimate points here is the one about parking and equipment. Truck drivers are as guilty as any driver in regards to the other three.
As a retired trucker driving an RV I always try to give others room .I flash my headlights when they want to come over in my lane. Some flash their lights back to say thank you. Others just ignore the gesture.
The story seems to be all about what RVers do, some of these truckers still have a lot to learn about sharing the road. I know you guys are on a time restraint but stop trying to run the rest of us off the highway, you will still get there. Don’t gripe to me about it, I’m a retired truck driver, so I know all about it.
First, things first screw these truckers. They are the worst budge out there that I’ve ever seen. In a 45 years of my driving Korea, they are inconsiderate. They run their rigs into the shoulders constantly. For whatever reason, swinging gravel rocks and whatever’s on the side of the road, especially Amazon Prime drivers are the worst. I’ve ever seen in my driving fear. Look at the Ohio turnpike Roll over statistics, they are all foreigners. Drive with flip-flops on a nation. Not be in the business whatsoever, they are horrible.
This article makes all RVers seem to be the problem on the roads we all share. My husband is a retired professional truck driver of 50 + yrs and we own a camptrailer now to enjoy the “road”,camping,visiting family,sight seeing etc and let me tell you there are a lot of issues with truck drivers simply for a lot of them are new to the. career ,impatient,distracted,unsure of how their equipment operates and how to control such big rigs with a lot of weight and limited space in some areas. With all due respect problems comes from both RVers and Semis and some patience and understanding for each other on how to get along and enjoy what your doing, be it your vacation/retirement or your career. I’ve always tried to give everybody “the benifit of doubt ” mistakes and accidents do happen. So let’s all work together the best we can and get along on the roads so we all get home or to our appointment safely. Safe travels to all.
They don’t own those spaces in rest stops. They don’t have any right to take up 100% of those spaces so they can sleep while they wait for the scales to close because they are running over their weight limit. We have had to drive straight through rest stops where they have taken up not only the spaces but every inch of the entrance ramp and exit ramp of the rest stop. We needed to use the restrooms. They just pee in the lot or dump their pee bottles by the side of the road. Now who is the bad actor?
This article is BS!!!! You act like truckers are the victim. I’ve seen more of them display the negative driving habits than RVers. Plus how many RVers are on their phones compared to truckers? I had a truckers literally chase and pass me and then try to run me off the road purposely. I have no idea why. Don’t give me this BS about truckers not being rude and probably drugged while driving!!
Us regular drivers don’t like this new age of CLASS A drivers that go to pass another big rig or RV going 1 MPH Faster. And when the big rig turns his signal on doest mean he wants to merge , it means they are going to and doesn’t matter if they cut you off
Retired truck driver and current 40 ft. Motorhome owner here. I have seen dangerous and inconsiderate idiots on both sides.
As you pointed out, commercial drivers have a clocked day that they have to adhere to, it’s called “hours of service” or HOS. It is the rules of when they can and cannot drive. RV drivers not only don’t have this restriction, but for the most part, have no clue. A commercial truck driver is AT WORK. The RV driver is on vacation. RV owners love to go to commercial Truck Stops to fuel up. So they’re taking away from the drivers time to fuel and get back on the road. Anotherwords, back to work. They don’t practice truck stop etiquette, (like pulling up to the pay line after fueling, and then going inside to shop and use the rest rooms). Instead, they are very casual about how much time they waste.
When a commercial driver plans their driving day, its usually from one fuel stop to the next, end of day (overnight parking), or final destination. There’s nothing more frustrating than a full parking lot with overnight RV’s in a badly needed space when you have no more hours to drive.
And yes, California still has differential speeds. Passenger vehicles have an allowed speed as high as 75mph. Commercial trucks are still restricted to 55. There is also a speed limit for “vehicles towing trailers” which is also 55. Again it’s frustrating to be going 55, or even pushing it at 60, and be passed by a motor home towing their 4-wheeler, or a pick-up towing a camper or boat. And… I’ve seen CHP pull over the commercial truck in the same example.
This article is terrible. Lacks any sense of reality. I would say the same about why rvs dislike truckers.
As an RV’er I always make sure I watch out for Truckers they have a job to do and while we share the road they are on a mission, I’m on vacation, using turn signals, flashing my lights to allow them access to move in front of me is only respectful as they do for me, IT’s Safety First so both of us can Arrive safe and sound…
People now days drive like they are the only ones on the road, we ALL need to take driver safety courses that way we learn the rules that all of us need to know and get to where we are going in one piece, I love truckers my dad drove trucks and my respect for ALL my fellow ROAD WARRIORS will exceed my want to get to my destination faster…
When everyone respects each other the road WILL be a Safer Place for ALL OF US… GOD BLESS our TRUCKERS…
Your article is one sided. Drive the highways of Arkansas sometime and note the truckers. They ride the left lane well below the speed limit andd hold up traffic for miles before they pass. Change lanes without looking. I’ve personally had to slam on my brakes because a trucker put his blinker in ss he was already changing lanes. I understand they want to keep their speed up, but don’t run over a csr or truck just to save shifting. And the big one is as you stated, they don’t stop real well. Then stop tailgaiting and trying to push a driver over the speed limit. Back off. Truckers make their money driving but we make our money driving to our jobs. Works both ways. Eveyone needs yo consuder the other driver. Truckers are not anymore special than the next driver.
I do all of the aforementioned tips to stay safe, I even flash my taillights to thank a driver for giving me the all clear to move over, but I do believe you think only RV drivers are distracted, I can say with certainty that truck drivers are guilty of using the cell phones in the road, I see it more often than you would think. And not to be shitty but why is it I get a good run prior to hitting a steep incline say at 75mph and the truck ahead of me believes he can pass the truck ahead of him going up the same hill, and at that time my speed is reduced by 15 to 25 mph..
That is bullshit, to prove what.
Thanks for allowing me to voice my opinion, it is not only RV’ers being at fault for safety far to many newbies driving rigs with no more than 6 months experience
Just so you know I see many truckers messing with their phones and weaving over the lane markers. I see this everyday as I drive I-10 and see them weaving. It is scary !