Topic: how to blink headlights (Read 924 times)

journeyman1 · « **on:** November 03, 2009, 01:03:47 PM »

I have just moved aboard my '04 "Journey" full time. Need to know how to flash headlights to alert big rigs, day or night, that it is safe to return to my lane. Also to"request" oncoming vehicles to change to their low beams.

afchap · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2009, 01:35:26 PM »

Upper left button on your Smart steering wheel, or turn signal stalk bright/dim switch?

BruceinFL · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2009, 01:50:23 PM »

Three flashes for speed traps.

adun015 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2009, 04:23:16 PM »

Mine has a switch that is marked I/C, it flashes all the marking/clearnace lights like you see the tractor - trailers do.

afchap · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2009, 05:08:09 PM »

Upper right button on the Smart steering wheel will flash the clearance/marker lamps... little symbol w/two lights...

Jack Nichols · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2009, 02:55:10 PM »

If you are being passed by a big rig, please do NOT flash your high beams (at night, especially) when he clears your coach. Reason is, he knows he is about clear, and will be looking in his mirrors to judge distance, then gets a BRIGHT flash in his eyes just when he does not need it. Better: When he is clear, turn off your headlights for a few seconds, and that will tell him.

By the way, in heavy traffic a big rig wants to delay traffic as little as possible, just as we all do. The driver will really appreciate the "you are clear" signal as permission to cut it a little closer than a polite person would normally do on an open road.

Many coaches have switches to flash clearance lights, perfect for a "thank you" to truckers for a kindness.

Use the horn very little, only to warn of a real danger. I have seen some horn happy drivers, RV and 18 wheelers, and the general consensus is "idiot".

On the CB, reporting every little detail is not necessary. Listen to the pros and follow their pattern, but maybe clean up the language a little.

1joester2 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2009, 04:03:41 PM »

Quote from: Jack Nichols on November 04, 2009, 02:55:10 PM

but maybe clean up the language a little.

No doubt about that...

I installed a small speaker on the door post by my left ear and wired it to the CB so I can prevent little ears from hearing the language that unfortunately frequents the air waves.

Joe

carson · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2009, 04:08:35 PM »

I agree with everything you said, Jack

Funny thing happened on my way to the SE Rally last week. Traveling at 60mph, a biggie (semi) passed me, then cut over into my lane. His trailer landed up about 20 feet in front of my windshield... whoopee.

Doesn't happen often..I didn't lose any sleep over it.

carson

Dick Zeiter · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2009, 05:05:14 PM »

As Jack said: When they are clear, turn off your headlights for a few seconds, and that will tell them. Don't make quick flashes. Just turn them off for a full second. They'll notice it in the corner of their eye if they are not looking in the mirror at that exact moment.

For DAYTIME use, take a relay and wire it to a switch on your dash to momentarily turn on the high beams. I have 2 relays and can turn on both the high beams and the fog lights for better noticibility. AGAIN, no quick flashes. Turn them on for a full 2-3 seconds or until they activate their right turn signals. Remember, they want over quickly so don't wait for them to be 6 car lengths ahead before activating your signaling lights.

When passing them, don't for get to thank them if they signal you by depressing your D.O.T. switch (diesel) or alternately activating your right and left turn signal twice. Don't hit the 4 ways unless you want to see smoke from their tires. On my last gasser, I put a switch in line with the fuse so the clearance lights could be turned off momentarily (at night) for signalling.

To recap, avoid quick flashes. They can't remain focused on the mirror waiting on you to get around to signalling. Use long 2-3 second flashes. If you have daytime running lights, you need contrast. Use a relay to flash both high beams and fog lights. Clearance lights are virtually invisible in the daylight.
Daytime: Bright Head Lights (and fog lights) on
Nighttime: Head Lights off

Ned · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2009, 05:48:16 PM »

Before using the ICC switch in the daytime, test it. Ours will not turn the marker lights on when they're off, but only turn them off when they're on.

Grumpy · « **Reply #10 on:** November 09, 2009, 09:42:31 PM »

Quote from: Dick Zeiter on November 04, 2009, 05:05:14 PM

When passing them, don't for get to thank them if they signal you by depressing your D.O.T. switch (diesel) or alternately activating your right and left turn signal twice. Don't hit the 4 ways unless you want to see smoke from their tires. On my last gasser, I put a switch in line with the fuse so the clearance lights could be turned off momentarily (at night) for signalling.

OK, I don't understand this. I drive truck, and when I signal a RV to come around me, and they "thank" me with a hit of the 4 way flasher switch, I don't think anything about it. Durning the day, this is what I use on the big truck to say "thanks".

You can buy a marker interupt switch at any truck shop, and install it, if you have room in your dash, and know how.

And, I will agree, with the CB, clean up the language. Some of these people think they are sitting in a bar with their buddies. I wish Good Sam would of pushed their "We CB 13" a little harder.

Oh, and I agree, don't flash the bright lights at night. If you watch the passagner mirror of the truck going around, you will notice that the driver looks over. When he does, then do the light thing.

If you can't see the mirrors of the truck, then the truck driver can't see you.

taoshum · « **Reply #11 on:** November 09, 2009, 10:05:45 PM »

this sounds important but I suspect there are quite a few of us who don't know about all the light switches and protocols that are mentioned in this thread. Smart Steering Wheel? DOT swtich? ICC switch? install a relay to flash the marker lights?

If you want RV drivers (especially new ones) to buy into these protocols we need far more information, IMHO. thanks.

Jim Godward · « **Reply #12 on:** November 10, 2009, 12:24:51 AM »

Quote from: taoshum on November 09, 2009, 10:05:45 PM

this sounds important but I suspect there are quite a few of us who don't know about all the light switches and protocols that are mentioned in this thread. Smart Steering Wheel? DOT swtich? ICC switch? install a relay to flash the marker lights?

If you want RV drivers (especially new ones) to buy into these protocols we need far more information, IMHO. thanks.

Smart steering Wheel A switch that has a lot of buttons on it to control various things, may vary by manufacturer but usually include but not limited to, cruise control, bright/dim switch etc. I wish I had one!

DOT sw, ICC sw, a switch on the dash or smart wheel to blink the clearance lights, blink the low beams as the case may be. In my MH at night it blinks the low beams off and on and the clearance lights by day. MY wife, the driver NEVER uses it!

taoshum · « **Reply #13 on:** November 10, 2009, 01:06:33 AM »

Quote from: Jim Godward on November 10, 2009, 12:24:51 AM

Smart steering Wheel A switch that has a lot of buttons on it to control various things, may vary by manufacturer but usually include but not limited to, cruise control, bright/dim switch etc. I wish I had one!

DOT sw, ICC sw, a switch on the dash or smart wheel to blink the clearance lights, blink the low beams as the case may be. In my MH at night it blinks the low beams off and on and the clearance lights by day. MY wife, the driver NEVER uses it!

I'll check but pretty sure I don't have any of this stuff... it is "normal" to have these features on an 07 class A DP?

RV Roamer · « **Reply #14 on:** November 10, 2009, 09:05:49 AM »

Quote

. it is "normal" to have these features on an 07 class A DP?

The "Smart Wheel" is usually an option on low-mid range coaches and standard on high end models. But an "ICC switch" to blink the lights is pretty common these days. Wasn't so common in the 90's.

1joester2 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 10, 2009, 05:18:59 PM »

You WANT a smart switch? (AKA: multi-function switch)

My Coachmen has one, and it's failed twice. Once before leaving the dealership, and again after two years in my hands. At $400 to replace it, I'm not thrilled or eager to change it.

I found a way to make it work, and it will stay that way until I absolutely need to change it. That junk switch is the worst part of my RV.

Joe

Grumpy · « **Reply #16 on:** November 10, 2009, 09:27:09 PM »

Quote from: taoshum on November 09, 2009, 10:05:45 PM

this sounds important but I suspect there are quite a few of us who don't know about all the light switches and protocols that are mentioned in this thread. Smart Steering Wheel? DOT swtich? ICC switch? install a relay to flash the marker lights?

If you want RV drivers (especially new ones) to buy into these protocols we need far more information, IMHO. thanks.

I'm guessing that your vehicle has a "flash to pass" feature in with the turn signal switch. That is fine to use in the daytime. It has never bothered me. At night, as said before, shut the headlights off for a second or two, then turn them back on.

I don't know much about motorhomes. Don't have one. I didn't know the newer motorhomes had a marker interupt switch in them. They do as the name says, shuts off the marker/tail lights only, leaving the headlights on, so you can say "thanks" when somebody signals you to come in. I have always used the 4 way flashers. Some truckers will notice a CB antenna, and tell you it is OK to come over. If you want to do that, then please make sure you use the name of the carrier, and the direction they are traveling. And, look at the passanger mirror.

And, don't be surprised if the truck driver just ignores you. Some drivers don't like RVers. Yes, I know why, and no, this isn't the place to get into it.

kevin · « **Reply #17 on:** November 10, 2009, 09:44:18 PM »

our smart wheel has a button that turns the head lights off as long as you hold it, and a button that turns the clearance lights off as long as you hold that too. works great.

Dick Zeiter · « **Reply #18 on:** November 18, 2009, 02:37:35 PM »

Quote from: Grumpy on November 09, 2009, 09:42:31 PM

OK, I don't understand this. I drive truck, and when I signal a RV to come around me, and they "thank" me with a hit of the 4 way flasher switch, I don't think anything about it. Durning the day, this is what I use on the big truck to say "thanks".

My error. I was not thinking. Actually, you are right as 4-way signalling is what many of the pro-drivers do. The others blink the tail and/or clearance lights or hit the turn signals back & forth. Many of the RV rigs though, do not have the built in capability to blink the tail lights along with the clearance lights. When I'm looking at brake/tail lights, It's hard to notice the flashing upper clearence lights in the daytime. Thank goodness for the new LEDs.
In all reality, as the passee, as long as they acknowledge my effort, I'm happy. My personal preference is using the I.C.C. switch (as a passer) since it is easier. I rarely use it though, since I run 55 almost exclusively. I spend more time flashing the headlights.
Another problem being a passee, is that the daytime running lights reduce the contrast during night driving. On a busy metropolitan road with light coming from all angles, it's hard to notice the headlights dimming only slightly instead of going fully off for a second or two. My rig is a 2000 DP so maybe the newer rigs have better addressed the signalling options.

Jack Nichols · « **Reply #19 on:** November 18, 2009, 07:59:52 PM »

Passing and being passed by 18 wheelers has another aspect many do not know.

Many, if not most, 18 wheelers have their engines governed, due to insurance requirements, or as a way to save fuel (according to management - that debate is for another topic). I think most privately owned truck do what they want, but they are not the only ones out there.

So, when heavily loaded Truck starts to pass you, using the speed momentum he has built up, and you both start up a hill, his speed will bleed off quickly, while our coaches can maintain speed or accelerate, usually. As a result, the poor trucker is stuck out in the left lane, line of traffic behind, embarrassed as heck and discussing the RV drivers lineage and intelligence.

If you see a trucker trying to get around, and he does not quite have enough pep to do so, turn off the cruise and help the guy out a little. You may be more help by accelerating ahead of him, if he generally drives slower than you.

Anyway, he may be at a power disadvantage, and will really appreciate a help getting out of that left lane.

If you use CB you might let him know what you are trying to do, and he can let you know how to best help him.

We really are in this together.

Grumpy · « **Reply #20 on:** November 18, 2009, 09:02:28 PM »

Quote from: Jack Nichols on November 18, 2009, 07:59:52 PM

Passing and being passed by 18 wheelers has another aspect many do not know.

Many, if not most, 18 wheelers have their engines governed, due to insurance requirements, or as a way to save fuel (according to management - that debate is for another topic). I think most privately owned truck do what they want, but they are not the only ones out there.

So, when heavily loaded Truck starts to pass you, using the speed momentum he has built up, and you both start up a hill, his speed will bleed off quickly, while our coaches can maintain speed or accelerate, usually. As a result, the poor trucker is stuck out in the left lane, line of traffic behind, embarrassed as heck and discussing the RV drivers lineage and intelligence.

If you see a trucker trying to get around, and he does not quite have enough pep to do so, turn off the cruise and help the guy out a little. You may be more help by accelerating ahead of him, if he generally drives slower than you.

You are correct on this, and an excellent point. I never thought about it. When I drove OTR tanker, the Mack I drove was awful at overpasses, Speed would drop off like mad, then try to take off like a rocket going down until the gov kicked in. The truck I currently drive is set at 65MPH.

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Author Topic: how to blink headlights (Read 924 times)