Caravan Strategy and Tactics: Difference between revisions

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* I'll work on this when I get some time, but in the meanwhile, here are some jumbled bullets. - [[User:Elsa]]
* Still maybe a little raw, but better. Please do let me know if you're not seeing something here that would be helpful. <elsa@hailmog.org> --[[User:Elsa|Elsa]] ([[User talk:Elsa|talk]]) 10:38, 30 April 2013 (PDT)
* Rearranged a bit today. I don't quite like it yet, but it's a start. --[[User:Elsa|Elsa]] 10:46, 5 October 2012 (PDT)
* Better. --[[User:Elsa|Elsa]] ([[User talk:Elsa|talk]]) 12:38, 18 March 2013 (PDT)




==Things to Consider==
==Things to Consider==


===Laws===
* All Vehicle Drivers are responsible for following all traffic laws independently.  
* All Vehicle Drivers are responsible for following all traffic laws independently.  
* Most drivers are okay with going 5 over the posted speed limit, but check with all drivers before assuming so..
* Most drivers are okay with going 5 over the posted speed limit ("5 you're alive, 9 you're mine"). Check with all drivers before assuming so.
* Not all vehicles will accelerate at the same rate, especially when a trailer is involved.
<br>
* Not all vehicles are comfortable at a high cruising speed, especially older vehicles, especially when hauling a trailer.
 
* Cruise Control follows the law of averages, NOT a set distance-per-time.
===Features===
* Not all vehicles will accelerate at the same rate.
* Not all vehicles are comfortable at a high cruising speed.
* Cruise Control holds to an average engine speed, NOT a set distance-per-time.
* Trailers and the age of a vehicle are major contributors to variances on vehicle capabilities.
<br>
 
===Best Practices===
* Keep caravan lengths to <4 cars if possible so the speedy drivers aren't bogged down with slower followers.
* Consider splitting into two caravans if some cars require detours and others don't.
* EVERY car should be able to contact every other car. Driver switches, food, bathroom breaks, emergency stops (ie tires, vehicle overheating).
 
<BR>
<BR>


==Lead, Follow, Get Out of the Way==
==Lead, Follow, Get Out of the Way==
===Lead===
===Lead===
* The Lead Car should make a point of driving so the last Follow Car is able to make it through a traffic light or gap in traffic.  
* Drive so the last Follow Car can make it through a traffic light or gap in traffic.  
* The Lead car should be the vehicle with the most inhibitions: low MPG, big trailer, history of problems.
* May be the vehicle with the most inhibitions: low MPG, big trailer, history of problems.
* The Lead car should have the navigation plan and a non-driver dedicated to staying conscious in case the other vehicles need to make contact.
* This car SHOULD have Cruise Control.
<BR>
* Navigation plan and a non-driver dedicated to staying conscious in case the other vehicles need to make contact.
* Telegraph all lane changes early so all cars can get in position before, say, an abrupt exit in heavy traffic in five same-direction lanes.
<br>


===Follow===
===Follow===
* This is an easier job than Lead because navigation isn't much of a consideration. But, an idea of where to go and how to get there would be helpful.
* An idea of where to go and how to get there would be helpful - in case traffic separates the party.
* The Follow car doesn't have to have cruise control - and may not use it much even if they have it, in order to keep up with the Lead during times of traffic, weather, and uneven terrain.  
* May not use cruise control much even if they have it, to keep up with the Lead during times of traffic, weather, and uneven terrain.  
* When the Lead car signals a lane change, it's the Right Thing for the Follow car to make that lane change and hold the position so the Lead knows it has the clearance it needs. This is particularly relevant when the Lead has a trailer in Dallas traffic.
* Serve as a mediator for the Lead Car: when a lane change is signaled, move into place and then hold the position so the Lead knows it has the clearance it needs. This is particularly relevant when the Lead has a trailer in Dallas traffic.
<BR>
* Second follow car should watch to make sure nothing falls out of the trailer in front of them, and keep an eye on the tarp/tie-downs.
* Last follow car should maintain visual contact with at least one car ahead, if not more, at all times.
<br>


===Get Out of the Way===
===Get Out of the Way===
* If one car gets pulled over, it's the right thing to do for everyone else to break away and wait at the next point of visual interest out of immediate view (usually a gas station in the next town). It has been known to happen that the whole caravan will get tickets if one car does.
* If one car in the party gets pulled over for any reason, break away and wait at the next point of visual interest out of immediate view (usually a gas station in the next town). It has been known to happen that the whole caravan will get tickets if one car does.


<BR>
<BR>
==In Case of "Oops"==
* EVERY car should be able to contact every other car - for driver switches, bathroom breaks, emergency stops (ie tires, vehicle overheating).


[[Category:Elsa]]
[[Category:Elsa]]
[[Category:Advice]]
[[Category:Advice]]
[[Category:Mooneschadowe]]
[[Category:Mooneschadowe]]
[[Category:Events]]

Latest revision as of 14:43, 21 February 2020

  • Still maybe a little raw, but better. Please do let me know if you're not seeing something here that would be helpful. <elsa@hailmog.org> --Elsa (talk) 10:38, 30 April 2013 (PDT)


Things to Consider

Laws

  • All Vehicle Drivers are responsible for following all traffic laws independently.
  • Most drivers are okay with going 5 over the posted speed limit ("5 you're alive, 9 you're mine"). Check with all drivers before assuming so.


Features

  • Not all vehicles will accelerate at the same rate.
  • Not all vehicles are comfortable at a high cruising speed.
  • Cruise Control holds to an average engine speed, NOT a set distance-per-time.
  • Trailers and the age of a vehicle are major contributors to variances on vehicle capabilities.


Best Practices

  • Keep caravan lengths to <4 cars if possible so the speedy drivers aren't bogged down with slower followers.
  • Consider splitting into two caravans if some cars require detours and others don't.
  • EVERY car should be able to contact every other car. Driver switches, food, bathroom breaks, emergency stops (ie tires, vehicle overheating).


Lead, Follow, Get Out of the Way

Lead

  • Drive so the last Follow Car can make it through a traffic light or gap in traffic.
  • May be the vehicle with the most inhibitions: low MPG, big trailer, history of problems.
  • This car SHOULD have Cruise Control.
  • Navigation plan and a non-driver dedicated to staying conscious in case the other vehicles need to make contact.
  • Telegraph all lane changes early so all cars can get in position before, say, an abrupt exit in heavy traffic in five same-direction lanes.


Follow

  • An idea of where to go and how to get there would be helpful - in case traffic separates the party.
  • May not use cruise control much even if they have it, to keep up with the Lead during times of traffic, weather, and uneven terrain.
  • Serve as a mediator for the Lead Car: when a lane change is signaled, move into place and then hold the position so the Lead knows it has the clearance it needs. This is particularly relevant when the Lead has a trailer in Dallas traffic.
  • Second follow car should watch to make sure nothing falls out of the trailer in front of them, and keep an eye on the tarp/tie-downs.
  • Last follow car should maintain visual contact with at least one car ahead, if not more, at all times.


Get Out of the Way

  • If one car in the party gets pulled over for any reason, break away and wait at the next point of visual interest out of immediate view (usually a gas station in the next town). It has been known to happen that the whole caravan will get tickets if one car does.