Runaway Ramp...

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by rickybobby, Dec 19, 2014.

  1. rickybobby

    rickybobby Road Train Member

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    Has anyone ever used the runaway ramp? I was coming down Fancy Gap the other day. They had one lane closed because a truck was in the ramp. It was a clear day no rain or snow. The driver was near his truck and appeared to be fine. Would that be considered a Roll over? BTW it was a flat bedder.
     
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  3. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Why would it be considered a roll over? I'm quite sure his company will be less than thrilled to be paying for the tow to get out of there, and to repair possible damage, but it beats the hell out of a totaled truck with a dead driver, (and possibly a dead family too.)

    You can bet it will go on his record, but not as a roll over.
     
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  4. stabob

    stabob Heavy Load Member

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    Probably failure to maintain control.
     
  5. crzyjarmans

    crzyjarmans Road Train Member

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    Roll over will consist of truck and/or trailer not being on its wheels, so! No will not be considered a roll over, just failure to control, and no, never had to use the run away ramp
     
  6. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Seems to me that if he got it up the ramp right side up without hitting anything/anyone he controlled it pretty good. Was just going too fast and/or in the wrong gear to begin with.
     
  7. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    I've never used an escape ramp and never seen anyone else use it but you can bet his company will be talking to that driver once he gets back to the terminal.A rollover is just that ,he flips the rig which happens a lot during the winter months.This guy lost control or just panicked who knows.
     
  8. dca

    dca Road Train Member

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    Yeah.. keep the dirty side down.. no sense sliding in on a side or the top


    perhaps the driver tried to swap a gear and lost it.. hmm
     
  9. Shadetree Trkr

    Shadetree Trkr Bobtail Member

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    Fancy Gap isn't much of a grade, it's just 7 miles long. Last time I geared down for Fancy Gap I was driving a White with 350 Detroit with no Jake.
     
  10. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Runaway ramps are awesome inventions. I've never used one myself, but have seen trucks on Monteagle hill in Tennessee use them. There's a whole science how they're constructed. There's several layers of stone and sand, and an uphill on a downhill and while creating a mess, and who knows what to the underside, it's clearly better than screaming out of control down a hill.( and they have signs going down indicating if a ramp is available, I think there's 3) I'm not sure how they're viewed to a company. Could be a mechanical issue forcing a driver to use one, as I know on Monteagle, all trucks must stop at the top, sometimes they have DOT checking brakes, but mostly it starts the truck down the hill at a slow speed. Also, I heard, they can time you when you leave that stopping point at the top, and if you get to the bottom too fast, they can give you a ticket. Either way, you go into a runaway ramp, you better have some clean underwear with you.:biggrin_25524:
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2014
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  11. Al. Roper

    Al. Roper Road Train Member

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    Back in the mid 90s, prolly been drivin close to 2 years, saw a Schneider Cabover that had gone through the sand berm. It was also on Fancy Gap. Not disputing, nor arguing but that lil hill will bite you on the ### IF you don't pay attention. JMO
     
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