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Slowing down on...
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: South Texas
Slowing down on...
Does anyone ever see trucks or suv's slowing down when crossing rail road tracks like it's bad for their suspension or something? I'm not an engineer but I would think that the suspension could take it. Doesnt make me bounce around... doesnt spill my drink... hum I just don't know why they do this. DRIVE FASTER!!!
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,542
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From: Murphysboro, IL
I always slow down as a forced habit. In alot of the places I hunt or travel to hunt or on farm roads and such the crossings are not lit or have wating systems so i make it a point to get use to slowing down. Also having a CDL with Pass. and Hazardous materials endorsements you 'd better learn to stop at train crossings. When in my pickup truck everywhere else I at least slow down on approach to look, my experience with electrical equip. is that it wil fail at some point in time. Railroad crossing equip. is all very well maintained but to me there is always that chance. Have you ever seen a car/truck/large critter get hit by a train?
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: South Texas
Birdhunter1, I understand for like school buses and commercial vehicles slowing down. I always look to before crossing too, but never really slow down. I mostly see the slow people slowing down when crossing the track or something bumpy. It's not that they're looking, I think they're being "careful" of their vehicle. They DRIVE SLOW and DRIVE SOFT haha yes sir
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 302
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From: St. Joseph, MO
Not only a safety issue but I remember years ago as a kid the tracks around town were very bumpy. No a days they run the pavement right up level with the tracks and it is smooth in most places.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 626
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From: N Ga. Mountains
In Atlanta about a week ago some guys were shot in their car and drove right into a moving frieght train. Like something out of a movie.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 197
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From: South Texas
I'm not talking about trains nor getting hit by them. I'm all for safty and it ain't no joke. What I'm talking about is slowing down for bumps in general. Ah, but anyway.. yeah getting hit by trains is not cool.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Arlington, TX
MX2004,
I know what you're talking about. I'm one of those guys that slows down for bumps/tracks. I know that the truck can handle it, but I've never been the type to beat the crap out of my things. No since in paying for an alignment or new suspension componets any earlier than normal.
I know what you're talking about. I'm one of those guys that slows down for bumps/tracks. I know that the truck can handle it, but I've never been the type to beat the crap out of my things. No since in paying for an alignment or new suspension componets any earlier than normal.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 22
From: Murphysboro, IL
If I know there is a bump in a road I'll usually slow down for it. No sense in beating the ehll out of a perfectly good truck. Also I usually have something in the bed or in tow and often I don't feel like it being jostled around.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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Slowing down makes sense to me-why bottom out the suspension,that doesn't prove a thing. Railroad tracks can be some of the most terrible ruts there are. Some of the Offroaders may enjoy it, but not me. This new STX shortbed (2wd) I bought rides rough on city streets, I can't imagine zooming over RR tracks. Each to their own.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 922
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From: san diego
i think its because most people are going to 20 inches and up for rims and they don't wanna mess them up. i was careful in my oldcar because that set was 3000 dollars. im happy now and i hit all the bumps and everything else in my way. my friend blew out both rear shocks once but she always went fast over everything and we had a whole bunch of stuff in the bed.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: South Texas
I don't know dudes. I had a '00 vw jetta, those things only have a 4" clearance in the front and I always went fast through rough terrain and @ 90k miles the only problem I had as far as suspension was a CV joint messed up and bushings needed to be replaced. I think that's because I drive over a CRATER and slammed on the front drivers side (thats where I needed by CV joint replaced) . My ext. warranty covered that... new vw cv joint with labor... $700!!! Crazy huh?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 270
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From: Charlotte, NC
MX2004 and others......
To bluntly answer your question.....YES.....the suspension in your truck can "take" it when you cross railroad tracks WITHOUT slowing down.
However, what can and will happen over a period of time, or can even happen the first time (if the tracks are bumpy enough and your approach angle is just right).....is a mis-aligned front end, which if left uncorrected will result in eneven tire wear and premature tire replacament. In Charlotte, the going rate for a front end alignment is about $50.00.....which is about the cost of full tank of regular gas here.
I don't know about you....but if I can put a tank of gas in my truck a couple of times per year just by slowing down when I cross railroad tracks....I will damn sure do it!!!
Fred
To bluntly answer your question.....YES.....the suspension in your truck can "take" it when you cross railroad tracks WITHOUT slowing down.
However, what can and will happen over a period of time, or can even happen the first time (if the tracks are bumpy enough and your approach angle is just right).....is a mis-aligned front end, which if left uncorrected will result in eneven tire wear and premature tire replacament. In Charlotte, the going rate for a front end alignment is about $50.00.....which is about the cost of full tank of regular gas here.
I don't know about you....but if I can put a tank of gas in my truck a couple of times per year just by slowing down when I cross railroad tracks....I will damn sure do it!!!
Fred
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: South Texas
fanman2,
You have answered my question... I did have uneven wear my first set of tires on the jetta... they told me it might have been over inflation but I'm pretty sure it wasn't. I won't complain about the slow people anymore.
You have answered my question... I did have uneven wear my first set of tires on the jetta... they told me it might have been over inflation but I'm pretty sure it wasn't. I won't complain about the slow people anymore.
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