braking on big mountains...

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by elharrison, Feb 8, 2008.

  1. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    not sure if I posted this before. But, Number 1 people, KNOW YOUR EQUIPMENT. Don't assume the brakes are good. When you are 2/3rds the way down and they're smoking real good, you wish you had checked them as you are saying your prayers. And number 2, don't rely on the signs posted by the state boys. On the westbound hwy 68 from Kingman, Az. into Laughlin, Nv. the state says 50 is OK, on a 6% 12 mile downgrade. I don't think so people.
     
    JustSonny Thanks this.
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  3. kajidono

    kajidono Road Train Member

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    Oh yeah, there's a two lane that runs south from the interstate in MD, don't remember which, but it gets real curvy. Don't trust the sign on the first turn that says 35mph. I got a dash video of me going around it going "Oh ####! 35 my ###!" It's pretty much a 180 downhill.
     
  4. Kansas

    Kansas Road Train Member

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    Just because your instructors have 30 years doesn't mean you do. You're still wet behind the ears, and shouldn't be giving anybody advice let alone chastising somebody with 17 years of driving exp...

    If you could step out side of yourself and see how truly stupid your post reads you would be ashamed. Something else you don't know, You are part of whats wrong with the new breed out driver out there today. You think you know everything just because you have done it once. Right now you are the most dangerous driver out there. You have a couple years exp, you have seen quite a bit by now, and "think" you know it all. That false confidence is whats gonna get ya, it breeds carelessness. Come back and repost in 5 years when you've had your ### handed to you a few times.

    You are bragging on the shop at Stevens. LOL come on dude you really think they actually set pressures on trailer brakes? You're living in a fantasy world. Those words are evidence you nothing but a rookie. Some punk kid making $8.00 an hour texting with one hand and inspecting trailer brakes with the other is what you're getting. You WILL get a trailer with bad brakes, and you will get them more than once, and it will be during a snow storm, or on the hottest day ever, and YOU will be in trouble.
     
  5. daytriper

    daytriper Bobtail Member

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    Wait until there is a thick layer of ice on the road. Oh and there are blizzard conditions and it is night time. Also you are fully loaded and you are going down Parley's Canyon.
     
  6. rubbergearsnextyear

    rubbergearsnextyear Heavy Load Member

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    I don't think I'd wanna go down any hill covered in thick ice!:biggrin_2551: I just try to go down the grades slow enough to where I don't have to brake much.

    [​IMG]

    But when I do brake, I prefer the snub method.
     
  7. red_eye

    red_eye Medium Load Member

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    I still dont snubb stab or what ever you call it.. pick the right gear.. keep pressure on the peddle. was always taught pumping causes fires.. no place for the heat to go if shoes are not touching the drums.. but aint lost any brakes yet :) But with a jake... just let her roll.. right gear.. an listen to the beautiful sound all the way down
     
  8. rubbergearsnextyear

    rubbergearsnextyear Heavy Load Member

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    Snubbing isn't stabbing and you don't pump them. You apply steady pressure to drop you down around 5mph below your safe speed then release and rinse and repeat once you get around 5-10 mph above your safe speed. But I do agree about the jakes and letting old jake guide you down smoothly to where you don't even have to hardly brake at all. That's the way I do it.

    I don't think steady pressure all the way down would hurt too much with the jake but I wouldn't advise that method without one. The thinking behind snubbing is that it allows the brakes a little time to air cool when released. If it's constant, steady pressure, the heat has nowhere to go but into the brake components.
     
  9. red_eye

    red_eye Medium Load Member

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    That make sense... in a way. on the snubbing.. but if you are going too fast to start with..lol.. I guess after a few years..a guy knows what gear to be in.. :) We was setting on top of a mountain one winter...waiting on plow...bout 10 of us.. next thing ya know..here come old JB.. we tell him on the radio ..aint nothing but ice on the down grade.. he rolls right on down the hill.. hate to admit it.. but we all said.. heck if JB can do it.. we can.. lol..an down the ski slop we went.. course we passed him again on the next up grade.. lol.. but that wasnt his fault.. he was going as fast as he could..lol
     
  10. rubbergearsnextyear

    rubbergearsnextyear Heavy Load Member

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    Yeah if you're going down the hill too fast at the top to begin with, it's gonna be a fun ride down! If you catch yourself quick enough and the brakes are fresh, I believe I would mash good on em good for a spell and grab a lower gear if it was a bad grade. You probably won't smoke em if you do it quick enough. But then, you'd have to use your own judgment and know your equipment and pray your brakes are good and fresh.

    Either that or really mash em and get on the shoulder and let em' cool off and then go down in the right gear. I never had to do that because I always respect a new grade. If I haven't been down it before and it's good and steep, I'll creep until the rpms get too high and then grab the next one until it can balance out better. The ones that have suggested speeds, well I always follow those suggestions.
     
  11. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    People, come on now. Why ascend or descend Parleys (I-80 east of Salt Lake) when you can use I-84, which is about 15 miles further. Try it, you'll like it!
     
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