Why do people in big trucks slow way down to cross RR tracks?

[Louie Detroit]

I was just out and about and saw a couple of people in big LATB sized trucks slow down and cross at a snails place. Why drive a big truck if you're roll like a bitch?

[slewfoot]

Are you talking about Semi's? First off for safety but they are to cross over in a single gear and not shift

[Vandelay Industries]

The same reason that people with Mall Crawler®️ Jeeps swerve around every bump and manhole cover in the street.

[6spdC6]

Are you talking about Semi's? First off for safety but they are to cross over in a single gear and not shift

The more weight you can carry means you have a high capacity suspension system. Everything is sprung so intense that hitting a hole or obstruction can break a spring. RR tracks can be very bumpy! Granted that is more for the very large trucks but even the super class PU size can get hurt.

Note I have a commercial license and have driven plenty of big trucks!

[Torqaholic]

Big trucks are required by law to stop (same as a school buss) if they're hauling hazardous.

As someone else explained large pickups are prone to damage from sudden jolts and RR tracks can be that. Busted a motor mount on mine climbing a hill due to a stump buried under the sand. Another time in that truck I ran over a log in a mud pit, didn't break the truck but it bounced me up off the seat into the roof and damn near broke my neck.

Not the kind of pain a person gets used to :lol:

[Louie Detroit]

Let me clarify, I'm talking pick-em-up trucks here.

[Torqaholic]

Let me clarify, I'm talking pick-em-up trucks here.

Like this?

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yJJULoAv-JQ/hqdefault.jpg

[TheHammer]

The more weight you can carry means you have a high capacity suspension system. Everything is sprung so intense that hitting a hole or obstruction can break a spring. RR tracks can be very bumpy! Granted that is more for the very large trucks but even the super class PU size can get hurt.

Note I have a commercial license and have driven plenty of big trucks!

Yup, break a leaf spring. Especially on the trailers.
We had a semi-truck driver lose a piece of a broken spring on his trailer. The broken piece worked its way out and fell on the freeway going 75 or so, it hit the pavement, bounced up and went through a passenger car windshield, killing the driver.

[LATB]

I was just out and about and saw a couple of people in big LATB sized trucks slow down and cross at a snails place. Why drive a big truck if you're roll like a bitch?

Why is it "roll like a bitch" if you slow down to cross RR tracks? :island14:

I always slow a bit when approaching RR tracks. Seems prudent to me. Has little to do with the truck size IMO.

But as mentioned, if carrying a load it makes sense if crossing RR tracks or a bumpy/bad road. :seasix:

[Tikiman]

We slow down so that we don't spill our beer.


You're welcome.

[Louie Detroit]

Why is it "roll like a bitch" if you slow down to cross RR tracks? :island14:

I always slow a bit when approaching RR tracks. Seems prudent to me. Has little to do with the truck size IMO.

But as mentioned, if carrying a load it makes sense if crossing RR tracks or a bumpy/bad road. :seasix:

Sorry dude, nothing personal was intended.

[Tikiman]

Why is it "roll like a bitch" if you slow down to cross RR tracks? :island14:

I always slow a bit when approaching RR tracks. Seems prudent to me. Has little to do with the truck size IMO.

But as mentioned, if carrying a load it makes sense if crossing RR tracks or a bumpy/bad road. :seasix:


I slow down for them when I'm in my Vette. Why wouldn't I slow down for them in my truck? The main takeaways about railroad tracks are they can be very rough, while you want to slow down you never want to have your foot on the brakes going over them, and if the arm is down and the lights are flashing - stop. I don't care how big your truck is, you aren't going to win against what's coming down the tracks.

[GTOguy]

Let me clarify, I'm talking pick-em-up trucks here.
One of our shop trucks was a 2019 F250 like Lars's. It was sprung so stiff that if you were in the back seat and went over any kind of bump, it would literally injure your back. I'm talking kidney belt stuff, and I used to ride dirt bikes when 4 inches of suspension travel was the norm.

These trucks ride better the heavier the load. Empty, like they are 99% of the time, they are brutal on a rough surface. Especially if they are running E-rated tires with a real sidewall.

[Louie Detroit]

I don't care how big your truck is, you aren't going to win against what's coming down the tracks.

Some really Coen Brothers like sentiment there. :seasix:

[Tikiman]

One of our shop trucks was a 2019 F250 like Lars's. It was sprung so stiff that if you were in the back seat and went over any kind of bump, it would literally injure your back. I'm talking kidney belt stuff, and I used to ride dirt bikes when 4 inches of suspension travel was the norm.

These trucks ride better the heavier the load. Empty, like they are 99% of the time, they are brutal on a rough surface. Especially if they are running E-rated tires with a real sidewall.

Try running dual rear wheels and everything is E load rated and 65 psi in the tires. If I don't have a load in the back, things can get bumpy over crap like railroad tracks. On the other hand, with the long wheelbase (crew cab, eight-foot bed) highway driving is like a Cadillac. It weighs just over 8,000 pounds empty.

[LATB]

I often hear how the SuperDuty trucks ride rough...I don't think my truck rides rough at all. :island14:

Mine is the High Capacity F250 (a derated F350) with 65 psi E tires. 5200 lb front axle. 6300 lb rear axle.

It's a beast but rides very nice IMO. Maybe I'm used to pickup trucks? or maybe it's the Michelin tires? But I have no complaints about the ride loaded or unloaded.

[NoLongerWelcome]

I often hear how the SuperDuty trucks ride rough...I don't think my truck rides rough at all. :island14:

Mine is the High Capacity F250 (a derated F350) with 65 psi E tires. 5200 lb front axle. 6300 lb rear axle.

It's a beast but rides very nice IMO. Maybe I'm used to pickup trucks? or maybe it's the Michelin tires? But I have no complaints about the ride loaded or unloaded.

Don't you mean your bosses truck? More delusions from a pathological liar that tries so hard for internet cred

[FLEXjs]

I was just out and about and saw a couple of people in big LATB sized trucks slow down and cross at a snails place. Why drive a big truck if you're roll like a bitch?

****ing LOL.

This drive me nuts too. We have tracks at 4 different areas around me that I cross every day.

Everyone drives SUVS these days and in the commercials they are blasting through rivers and forests and up mountains but IRL people slow to a crawl to cross RR tracks.

A while back I was behind a Land Cruiser Defender and I blasted the horn because they came to an almost complete stop at the tracks. Like isn't that supposed to be some hard core off-road vehicle?

I don't even slow down in my Vette.

[Unsuspicious]

****ing LOL.

This drive me nuts too. We have tracks at 4 different areas around me that I cross every day.

Everyone drives SUVS these days and in the commercials they are blasting through rivers and forests and up mountains but IRL people slow to a crawl to cross RR tracks.

A while back I was behind a Land Cruiser Defender and I blasted the horn because they came to an almost complete stop at the tracks. Like isn't that supposed to be some hard core off-road vehicle?

I don't even slow down in my Vette.

The vehicles in the commercials don't have espresso triple cumshot vanilla frapamocha swirl whatever from Starbucks in the cupholder

[LATB]

****ing LOL.

This drive me nuts too. We have tracks at 4 different areas around me that I cross every day.

Everyone drives SUVS these days and in the commercials they are blasting through rivers and forests and up mountains but IRL people slow to a crawl to cross RR tracks.

A while back I was behind a Land Cruiser Defender and I blasted the horn because they came to an almost complete stop at the tracks. Like isn't that supposed to be some hard core off-road vehicle?

I don't even slow down in my Vette.

You don't approach RR crossings with caution?

[Unsuspicious]

We live in a society where people need a sign telling them to yield to a huge ass locomotive

https://images.roadtrafficsigns.com/img/lg2/X/x-r15-1-5.png

[Bill]

I slow down for every rail crossing, in every vehicle I am in. Some of them are quite rough. If I know it's a particularly smooth crossing, I won't slow as much. Rough roads? Slow down. Potholes, manhole covers, etc.? Either avoid contacting them, or slow down.

There's two kinds of vehicles.....those with suspension and alignment issues, and those that are going to have suspension and alignment issues. Oh, you need new tie rods? Wheel bearings shot? Need an alignment in the worst way? How do we think all that happens?

And something I have discovered.....if you're in city traffic, hauling ass over RRXX's, potholes, shitty roads, etc.....doesn't really save you any time, because the guys who don't GAF about wrecking their suspensions are usually stuck at the same traffic light you pull up to.

And for those pulling gooseneck trailers.....an elevated RRXX can destroy your tailgate if you're not careful and watching. There are several crossings I can think of that require the tailgate to be down to successfully cross the tracks with a gooseneck.

[FLEXjs]

You don't approach RR crossings with caution?

No.

[Taurus]

Don't you mean your bosses truck? More delusions from a pathological liar that tries so hard for internet cred

Says the guy hiding behind a new screen name. :rofl:

[Tikiman]

I slow down for every rail crossing, in every vehicle I am in. Some of them are quite rough. If I know it's a particularly smooth crossing, I won't slow as much. Rough roads? Slow down. Potholes, manhole covers, etc.? Either avoid contacting them, or slow down.

There's two kinds of vehicles.....those with suspension and alignment issues, and those that are going to have suspension and alignment issues. Oh, you need new tie rods? Wheel bearings shot? Need an alignment in the worst way? How do we think all that happens?

And something I have discovered.....if you're in city traffic, hauling ass over RRXX's, potholes, shitty roads, etc.....doesn't really save you any time, because the guys who don't GAF about wrecking their suspensions are usually stuck at the same traffic light you pull up to.

And for those pulling gooseneck trailers.....an elevated RRXX can destroy your tailgate if you're not careful and watching. There are several crossings I can think of that require the tailgate to be down to successfully cross the tracks with a gooseneck.

:iagree:

Excellent point. I remove my tailgate altogether when I am pulling my gooseneck trailer.

[LATB]

No.
:island14:
Crossing railway tracks
As you come to a railway crossing, slow down, listen and look both ways before crossing the tracks. You should be certain that you can clear the tracks completely before crossing.



http://www.ontario.ca/page/driving-near-railway-crossings#:~:text=Slow%20down.,flashing%20before%20you%20start%20driving.

[Bill]

No.


I've been over elevated RRXX's that I am quite sure would high center my C-5, especially if I crossed it perpendicularly, vs. at an angle. True, those situations aren't common, but they do exist. Hell, I've encountered driveways that I couldn't pull into because the pitch was too steep.

[Tikiman]

I've been over elevated RRXX's that I am quite sure would high center my C-5, especially if I crossed it perpendicularly, vs. at an angle. True, those situations aren't common, but they do exist. Hell, I've encountered driveways that I couldn't pull into because the pitch was too steep.


Throw a security rock in there and you would have been screwed.

[FLEXjs]

:island14:


http://www.ontario.ca/page/driving-near-railway-crossings#:~:text=Slow%20down.,flashing%20before%20you%20start%20driving.

Mrs Flex got her license earlier this year. Her instructor told her not to slow down approaching rr tracks.

Our tracks have lights and barriers that come down if a train is approaching if the lights aren't flashing and the barrier isn't down there's no need to slow down.

[LATB]

Mrs Flex got her license earlier this year. Her instructor told her not to slow down approaching rr tracks.
Your wife is just now getting her drivers license?
Her instructor is an idiot.

Our tracks have lights and barriers that come down if a train is approaching if the lights aren't flashing and the barrier isn't down there's no need to slow down.
God forbid the lights and/or barriers don't work someday and you decide to blow through only to meet the business end of a locomotive.

[FLEXjs]

She got her license in January a few days before her 58th birthday.

Problem?

[LATB]

She got her license in January a few days before her 58th birthday.

Problem?

Not a problem for me. A bit odd though, generally speaking.

Be careful at those RR crossings, regardless of the lights/barriers... :cert:

or instructors. :rofl:

[FLEXjs]

Not a problem for me. A bit odd though, generally speaking.

She spent most of her career working downtown Toronto.

We have commuter trains and a subway sytem. They're faster and cheaper than driving.

My sister lives in Toronto she never drove until she moved out of the city and sold her car when she moved back.

[LATB]

She spent most of her career working downtown Toronto.

We have commuter trains and a subway sytem. They're faster and cheaper than driving.

My sister lives on Toronto she never drove until she moved out of the city and sold her car when she moved back.

I understand. Have a 70-something older sister, aging hippie. Never had a drivers license or a job.

[FLEXjs]

I understand. Have a 70-something older sister, aging hippie. Never had a drivers license or a job.

Ummmm...Mrs Flex is very successful, not a hippie, makes almost as much as I do. Owns house and a car. No debt. Substantial savings. 7 figure net worth.

So not sure you "understand"

[LATB]

Ummmm...Mrs Flex is very successful, not a hippie, makes almost as much as I do. Owns house and a car. No debt. Substantial savings.

Cute too, you married well sir. :cert:

[FLEXjs]

Cute too, you married well sir. :cert:

I did OK. :hurray:

[Yadkin]

Short answer, cuz they pussies.

There used to be a speed bump on the driveway of a private school that my daughter's team used to scrimmage against. Get behind a Range Rover and the biatch would crawl over it. Probably didn't want to spill his Grey Poupon. :Jeff '79:

[Bill]

Short answer, cuz they pussies.

There used to be a speed bump on the driveway of a private school that my daughter's team used to scrimmage against. Get behind a Range Rover and the biatch would crawl over it. Probably didn't want to spill his Grey Poupon. :Jeff '79:

Speed bumps are idiotic and evil. Oh, you want to slow traffic down because you've got kids and pets? Great. That should be some small comfort when the ambulance or fire truck you need in an emergency doesn't get there in time to save your life or your house.

Here's how one enterprising Houston area freedom fighter approached the speed bump controversy:

https://www.click2houston.com/news/2013/09/04/thieves-steal-speed-bumps-from-friendswood-neighborhood/

Thieves steal speed bumps from Friendswood neighborhood
According to police, someone stole the speed bumps from the neighborhood two weeks ago

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas – Thieves are going after speed bumps in a Houston area suburb.

While the speed bumps do help slow down vehicles passing through, the controversy over whether they should even be there in the first place is only speeding up in the Friendswood neighborhood of Northfield Estates.
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According to police, someone stole the speed bumps from the neighborhood two weeks ago.

"Woke up in the morning and there was two of them that were gone. It didn't make any sense. I thought the city came and took one side," said neighbor, Jerry Brannen.

After months of debate, the Friendswood City Council decided to install them on a trial basis.

" I just think it's unnecessary,"said neighbor, Matt Broughton.

According to Broughton, even though he doesn't like them, he doesn't condone stealing them.

"Nobody really likes speed bumps because it slows 'em down, but I got six kids on this street and there's a lot of children around here. I love it that it slows us down. It slows me down, I'm glad," said neighbor, Joy LeBlanc.

The speed bumps they're talking about are constructed of rubber and bolted to the concrete. Apparently, unbolt, toss in the back of the truck, and easy peasy, problem solved.

[GTOguy]

I understand. Have a 70-something older sister, aging hippie. Never had a drivers license or a job.


You're missing the boat Larry. Flex's area has been liberal/European-flavored for decades. Much like Manhattan. Honolulu was the same when my mom lived there. SF is similar. A car can be a detriment and a hinderance. Public transit, if well planned, and in the proper context, works much better. When I visited relatives in Connecticut we took the commuter train into NYC and it was super easy. Same with BART in the CA SF Bay Area. Great way to get around and avoid the $80 per day parking fees and congestion.

*Provided you want to live in a congested, cosmopolitan urban area. :seasix:

[LATB]

You're missing the boat Larry. Flex's area has been liberal/European-flavored for decades. Much like Manhattan. Honolulu was the same when my mom lived there. SF is similar. A car can be a detriment and a hinderance. Public transit, if well planned, and in the proper context, works much better. When I visited relatives in Connecticut we took the commuter train into NYC and it was super easy. Same with BART in the CA SF Bay Area. Great way to get around and avoid the $80 per day parking fees and congestion.

*Provided you want to live in a congested, cosmopolitan urban area. :seasix:

You already know that answer.

[GTOguy]

You already know that answer.

YU'UUUUP!

[LATB]

YU'UUUUP!

Indeed.
Not interested in commuter trains or buses or airliners. And type of public transportation is a no go for me.

I typically do 100 miles or more daily. And do it from the comfort of my own truck. TYVM

[snide]

Back in the days when we were kids and riding around in the back of the pickup truck, the driver slowed down after throwing too many kids out of the back of the truck. :yesnod:

[LATB]

Back in the days when we were kids and riding around in the back of the pickup truck, the driver slowed down after throwing too many kids out of the back of the truck. :yesnod:

My dad had a station wagon that had a drop tailgate like a pickup truck. We would stand on the tailgate and hold on to the roof rack while he drove down the road doing zig zags. :Jeff '79:

Looking back it was as if he was trying to throw us off. :willy:

[Tikiman]

Indeed.
Not interested in commuter trains or buses or airliners. And type of public transportation is a no go for me.

I typically do 100 miles or more daily. And do it from the comfort of my own truck. TYVM

You got that straight. Have you seen some of the freaks that ride it?

[LATB]

You got that straight. Have you seen some of the freaks that ride it?

Last time I took a flight (2020 my dad’s passing) wife and I were in that shuttle bus from the airport to the rental car center….
I looked around and said to my bride “never again”.

[snide]

My dad had a station wagon that had a drop tailgate like a pickup truck. We would stand on the tailgate and hold on to the roof rack while he drove down the road doing zig zags. :Jeff '79:

Looking back it was as if he was trying to throw us off. :willy:

For a couple of years, we lived just outside of a shit-splat town named Sylvan Lake, in Alberta, Canada. We lived next to a railroad track. There was a crossing just up the road from our driveway, and it was NOT a level crossing. us kids always rode in the back of the pickup truck, we always asked the driver to go faster over the tracks. We did catch some air a few times!

Ah, good times. :yesnod:

[Torqaholic]

My last Greyhound bus ride was a trip from Hell. Four inches of snow on the road and still coming down. I was sitting in a back window seat. Dude had his foot to the floor trying to climb a mountain and the rear of the bus was sliding from side to side. Not sure how he didn't hit the guard rail but he was doing a good job of holding the speed limit. One look out the window at the street lights a mile below was the last thing I saw because I closed my eyes for the rest of the ride. Holy schitt!!!

[LATB]

My last Greyhound bus ride was a trip from Hell. Four inches of snow on the road and still coming down. I was sitting in a back window seat. Dude had his foot to the floor trying to climb a mountain and the rear of the bus was sliding from side to side. Not sure how he didn't hit the guard rail but he was doing a good job of holding the speed limit. One look out the window at the street lights a mile below was the last thing I saw because I closed my eyes for the rest of the ride. Holy schitt!!!

:willy:

[Louie Detroit]

I remember when I was a kid and my grampa hit the gas peddle and threw my little brother across the pickup bed.