TripTips TRAILERINGTIP
Use On Ramps Safely Failing to use on ramps properly not only disrupts traffic, but also contributes to accidents. Safe travel on freeways and interstates is all about flow; anything that disrupts the flow of traffic can cause an accident. “Merging into interstate traffic with a horse trailer is a part of trailering that requires full concentration,” said Tomas Gimenez, Dr. Med. Vet., a noted expert in large-animal emergency rescue. “It can easily take a quarter mile on level ground for a heavy truck and trailer to reach 65 miles per hour, and most access ramps aren’t that long, so you may be going 40 to 50 miles per hour when you merge. Fortunately, most [drivers] will try to move over to accommodate you.” USRider offers these steps for executing a safe merge: Use your mirrors. As you drive onto an on ramp, use your mirrors to check traffic speed. (Make sure your mirrors are properly adjusted. Use convex mirrors for blind spots.) Signal and accelerate. Signal, then accelerate as closely as possible to the speed of the other vehicles. Check again. Keep checking the traffic by looking in your side-view mirror and over your shoulder; make sure no one is in your blind spot. Look ahead. Keep glancing at the vehicles ahead of you to make sure they aren’t stopping or slowing unexpectedly. Allow extra distance between you and the vehicle ahead to prevent a rear-end collision in case
PHOTOS BY HEIDI MELOCCO
Safe travel is all about flow; anything that disrupts the flow of traffic can cause an accident. Inset: When hauling your horse, use convex rearview mirrors for blind spots. someone stops. Also, check to see how much shoulder space is ahead as an emergency option. Gradually increase speed. Gradually increase your speed at the acceleration lane. Never cross the solid white or yellow line separating the acceleration lane from the freeway or interstate. Find a gap. Find a gap in the traffic flow before attempting to enter. Be sure the gap is large enough for your tow vehicle and trailer. Go with the flow. Before entering a traffic flow, adjust your speed to the flow’s speed. Turn off your signal. When you reach the through lane, turn off your turn signal.
USRIDER MEMBERTIP
Emergency Air Transport Have you ever thought what it would be like if you were traveling with your horse miles away from home and suddenly became incapacitated, which prevented you from driving your rig home? SkyMed, North America’s premier emergency air repatriation membership service, is now available to USRider Members at a 20% discount off everyday annual retail membership rates. In the event of a critical illness or injury when traveling more than 100 air miles from home, SkyMed will dispatch a medically equipped jet to the stranded patient for a return flight home at no cost to the Member. Then SkyMed sends a replacement driver to the stranded horse and trailer. For more information on USRider’s discount program, click here. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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Fall 2021
