Highway Swagger
bigcoconut
11-27-2007, 02:21 PM
I've got a 1999 Venture that just turned 100K.
Something I 've noticed for some time now. At thighway speeds, 45 MPH or higher, I get a swagger when approaching larger vehicles from behind (semi's, panel vans, etc.) The van will want to buffet left to right until I get out of the air turbulence. I'm talking very noticeable movement that forces me to back-off to several vehicle lengths or change lanes. Once out from behind everything settles back down. Anyone else notice this in their van?
BTW, my wife says I am sort of a tailgater :nono: , but I've driven many vehicles in my life, as a "tailgater" :nono: , but the Venture van is the only one I've noticed this.
Something I 've noticed for some time now. At thighway speeds, 45 MPH or higher, I get a swagger when approaching larger vehicles from behind (semi's, panel vans, etc.) The van will want to buffet left to right until I get out of the air turbulence. I'm talking very noticeable movement that forces me to back-off to several vehicle lengths or change lanes. Once out from behind everything settles back down. Anyone else notice this in their van?
BTW, my wife says I am sort of a tailgater :nono: , but I've driven many vehicles in my life, as a "tailgater" :nono: , but the Venture van is the only one I've noticed this.
'97ventureowner
11-27-2007, 03:11 PM
All of my vans (2 Ventures and one Uplander) have done this or did this. I think because the vans are higher than cars so they "catch" more of the turbulence. I'm sure it's the same for any van or high statured vehicle. I haven't noticed it as much with my Roadmaster, then again it weighs almost as much as the tractor trailers :lol:.
EDIT: Something else I thought of. I've noticed more "aerodynamic" panels and such on these trucks nowadays and I wonder if that may have anything to do with this situation, as more air is directed around the trucks?:dunno:
EDIT: Something else I thought of. I've noticed more "aerodynamic" panels and such on these trucks nowadays and I wonder if that may have anything to do with this situation, as more air is directed around the trucks?:dunno:
pastaben
11-28-2007, 09:45 AM
Just took a trip with my wife's 04 Venture, and it did the same thing. The severity differe depending on the trailer I was tailing. But I got to explain to my son the idea of air turbulence. Simple solution, I just passed the trucks.
463
11-30-2007, 08:01 PM
it's a normal for this type and the larger G 20 vans that i have owned. this happens when we follow the semi vans or a hopper trailers on the highway.
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