What if it Snows?

I love seeing these signs in the Midwest. I saw one in Texas on the 10 or 20, and like a guy who runs the western 11, I sat up, paid attention rolled over the top of this “hill” and looked down to the bottom, an incredible 1/4 or 1/2 mile away. I started to laugh. Sure isn’t like coming out of Eisenhower tunnel.

Ya ya ya 2 lane black tops can have real hills back there, I’ve been down a few in Arkansas.

 

Lol that can be a real adventure in an ABF truck. They insist on getting tractors without engine brakes to save money...er... Because their drivers are the most professional and safest drivers on the road!

A half a mile grade isn't bad, but...hills that shouldn't be an issue were an issue sometimes.

 

I need more sleep, but this guy had other plans. Probably works out better this way. I'll be tired this afternoon when I really NEED the sleep.

 

There is a group of sensors and so forth as part of the ABS. The one you do not want is the master cylinder to be bad due to low fluid which is from leaks and so on. In the older cars it was a 100 dollars to drop in a new master cylinder and then the nicky picky stuff is extra.

I generally don't worry about the ABS light on my old tahoe. it will cost more to fix than the truck is worth. If I had to stop I can, but due to it's large weight its known as a crusher so its a matter of if you had to stop with that thing pick something other than occupied by a human.

Detriot is not known for paint jobs back in the 80's they converted to non lead paint and the early models of vehicles just peeled like a bad sunburn in a few years. They finally started learning to put down quality paint when making new cars.

 

I absolutely refuse to drive a rig without a jacobs. I have had way too many years with trucks and no jakes. Run away on the occasional downgrade back east. Fortunately a bit of smoking and hot brakes don't bother me too much, let her go. Too many episodes.

I think for the last half of my driving with trucks that had jakes in them I never had hot brakes or wore out brakes in 200,000 miles or more. The rig will still have the original pads with a percentage off the top but otherwise good for another 200,000.

 

Jake brakes are essential. I will never drive another truck without one.

I remember coming down that long grade into Salt Lake City in an ABF truck with 44k between the two boxes.

I got her down. She smoked, because of course she smoked. But we didn't catch fire.

And then I remembered that I could've just taken 84 into town and about punched myself.

That's what I get for not being that far out west in so many years. Lol

 

Geesh.... I use my Jake a ton! I'd be lost without it. Or wrecked.
I also have a Jake on my car. Love it. Makes me feel at home.
You mentioned Arkansas. Have you noticed? My GPS changed the names of all the roads in Arkansas to: "Sharp Curve" and "Sharp Curve Ahead".

 

Port east gave me a container that was about 115000 gross. Then handed me keys to a U model offsest mack from about early to mid 60's told me I needed to have it up into PA customs harrisburg airport redball then to Altoona.

It was not long before a few years later I am driving a small new 94 or so mack virgin CH model daycab with that 350 and 9 speed and jake. Come up and down fishertown 56 all day in PA on pure ice. She was very good on her feet like a mule. Much better than what I had to endure with that old container crap. On that Babcock State Park downgrade, there is a 220 degree turnback curve rated for 15 or so at the bottom.

Nothing like the container brakes going fade away on full trolley downhill rolling smoke first back there then get on the tractor brakes the rest of the way down. They get hot too. But god that 115000 was HEAVY. story of my life. ive totaled a truck or two for excessive weight with that company. But they didnt care. Thats why we keep older cheap disposibles for the new hires.

 

Now... Ya need to do something to take care of your clear coat. I was studying cars when I was dumping trash. Guy asked me. I told him what I was doing looking. He mentioned that one car. It's paint was burnt away because of the plant across the street. I told him he was mistaken. That person has never put any sealer, wax, or anything on that paint. That's why it burnt off. Buffing clear coat does much good for it. At the very least... a good sealer every few years.

 

I really thought the cat was a Buddhist. Hence the OM.