At some point, we’ve all impatiently driven next to a longer, larger vehicle in need of a little extra room to drive. Whether it be an 18 wheeler, a bus, an RV, a truck pulling a horse trailer, a landscaper towing their living, or your local garbage man making his rounds. I like to think of these guys and gals as “pace setters”, because more often than not, they are setting a careful pace for themselves and others on America’s highways and streets. Although what’s careful to them, usually seems annoying and far too slow to those around them.

I used to be just as guilty as anyone when it came to occasionally not giving them enough respect on the road. Whether it be when merging on a highway, changing lanes right in front of them, ignoring their blind spots, not giving them enough room to make a turn or any number of infractions. Sure, maybe I was distracted, or running behind, but really, I was just being impatient. And a bit oblivious. And ultimately, I just simply wasn’t paying enough attention to give them the appreciated respect they deserve.

Fast forward to today: It’s crazy, but I am now a pace setter! I have been for the last several months while venturing across America with our travel trailer, and I’m more aware than EVER. I’m well aware of the wide ones, the heavy ones and the slow ones, because I’m part of the club. And I also keep my eye out for the fast ones, the impatient ones, and the clueless ones (the way I used to be!). Wishing only that I could turn back the hands of time and give a few more large-load drivers some larger respect earlier on in my driving years.

With a 52 foot long truck and RV combo now, I really have to be on my game ALL of the time. If I miss a turn, I can’t just turn around anywhere. It could be miles before I get another chance. If I need gas, I have to visually evaluate each gas station before deciding if I can navigate in and out of it without running something or someone over. Every highway on-ramp magnetically pulls my eyes to see who is carelessly merging and forcing me to floor the gas pedal or slam on my brakes. With a payload of over 15,000 pounds, slowing down or stopping unexpectedly can be a mobile game of rolling the dice for us. I don’t like dice.

And on a windy day on the highway, riding alongside pace setters can be like line dancing in a narrow hallway with a couple of baby elephants. One bump and you’re done. And the baby elephants will always win. Quick piece of advice for any driver…if you need to pass a large, heavy, over-sized vehicle: do it quickly! Because having someone ride along in your blind spot is really fun! Said no one, ever. Oh, and to the drivers who speed up and cut over at the last minute before a lane closure in an upcoming construction zone…there’s a special place in hell for you.

My all-time, least-favorite experiences have not been from motorists, but from crossing pedestrians. That’s right, pedestrians have the right of way: IN A CROSSWALK! Don’t get me wrong, I’m always cautious of pedestrians, but the big guys don’t stop quick, even when they’re going slow. So give them their dues, and give them seven more seconds before crossing the street. On a personal note, I don’t think I’ll ever be jay walking outside of a crosswalk anymore.

Okay, okay. I’ll step down from my high horse now and just say that it pays to put the impatience, frustration, and immortal feelings aside, when we’re in the presence of pace setters. We’ll all eventually get to where we’re going, just give them a break from time to time. For anyone who’s ever had a large load, you know what I’m talking about. And to anyone who hasn’t, just learn from my mistakes and keep this little story in mind. Because one day you just might.

All in all, despite the learning lessons of being a pace setter, and the white-knuckled moments of towing a trailer across the country, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Cheers to sharing the roads with each other, and safe travels to you!

Matt