Pucker Power

7 Replies to “Pucker Power”

1. Having driven semi-tucks for 27 years I always used to say that in a car you can zig zag your way out of trouble. But, with a truck you can only zig as the zag is not an option. The video is a classic example of that.
   (I shall fail to mention here that the idiotic side skirting for extra aerodynamic efficiency as seen here contribute greatly to the side impact of the winds on that rig.)

2. Did the truck driver pay for the fence?

3. Very professional and acted on instinct. Going with the flow never had a better example when the only other option was laying it over on its side.

4. That is some cool truck driver.

5. No schwartze, the “skirts” are low down, so not much of a factor. The higher up you go the more “leverage” the wind has. So down low not so much.

6. ‘Like judo. Use the force that’s coming at you.

7. The skirts initially do not effect the trailer leaning over from the top but believe me, once that air gets under the skirts there is a drag chute effect that aggravates the entire situation. The video clearly demonstrates that and the dynamics involved with wind forces. I consider the skirts one of the stupidest ideas that came into the industry in the last few years and believe me there have been plenty of dumb ideas put forward outside of this. In winter we loathe these trailers, especially when lightly laden. Under icy road conditions and with significant crosswinds pressing against the greatly increased area of the trailer sides, the very real threat of the trailer skating into other lanes of traffic or into the shoulders and then the ditch is ever present.