My brakes are smoking when on steep grades.

I’ve heard the opposite. That the disc brakes are heavier
Anyone have real data?

 

I tend to agree. Reading his opening statement, I was reminded of myself in my 1973 Cabover Kenworth over 30 years ago. No Jakes, and no power steering, simply had to learn as time went on.

The positive in the whole thread, is the OP asking for advice to begin with, instead of….. well you know.

I tip my hat to all who gave positive answers….

 

TO THE OP.

If your company shut off than manual option find a new company. These new cascadia's are already light and flimsy. At minmum.you want to control the weight even more so hauling a tanker. Smoking breaks suck. But no breaks are worse.

I hauled a 45k 700lb load across 75. Scale ticket read 400 under gross on a half tank. Not as bad as the grape vine but hauling flaming liquids still was not pleasant.
Glad your safe thou

 

There should be a diagram on the sunshade that explains how all this stuff works(or is supposed to work, unless your company demanded changes in the specs because desk jockeys know way more than we do about how to drive a truck).

 

I know his is newer but only has the regen info on my visor

 

It should…but it don’t. It’s down by my right foot. But is not super helpful. The videos on the Freightliner truck smart app we’re much more helpful. I had never driven a truck with all this stuff and learned a lot there. I’m used to stick in’ it in a gear and letting the engine brake eat. But for right now I got this contraption.

 

This is correct.
I was using the jake in one of our company's Freightshaker daycabs just today. Literally a few hours ago.
(Looks just like OP's pic.)
Have only used the first two steps of the engine brake cause haven't needed more.
One particular highway off-ramp it is nice to have. Downshifts itself as the speed drops.

 

I love the autoshift on hills.
Just set the cruise control and let the computer control things.

If too heavy on a steep grade set it to manual with the engine brake on high and slow down enough so that it holds.
If you are smoking the brakes at 35, maybe 25 would be a better speed?
But you need to slow down before your brakes are heating up, enough that the engine brake can be used in the gear you are in.
At the right speed full engine brake will slow you down, while settings lower will let you gain speed or hold you steady.

 

I have never had disc on a tractor trailer, but also thought they were suppose to be lighter.

I came out of CA to the Midwest without the Jake working one time and was loaded heavy.

I slowed to 15 mph on many grades and almost never touched the brakes.

Use your 4-ways.

Got to take care of the equipment.