Highway Swagger

[bigcoconut]

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 , but I've driven many vehicles in my life, as a "tailgater" , but the Venture van is the only one I've noticed this.

['97ventureowner]

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 .

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?

[pastaben]

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]

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.