Need some I-80 west help....:

Just had to pick on you RHM. I saw where you posted Cassie has bad gas?
Break out the Frebreeze..

 

There's not? Ha ha ha. I'm gonna take you out of Kansas for a ride through PA and WV. We've got some "hills" that'll turn those western boys white as a ghost!

 

I wasn't sure reading through this (to this point) if everyone was trying to just scare this driver or if they are seriously afraid of Donner.

If you have done I-80 (west bound) into Salt Lake...Parley (the long hill before SLC) Donner is about the same!

Once into NV, you have 400 miles to the CA line. In that 400 you will go over 4 decent (short) climbs; Silver Zone, Pequop, Emigrant, and Golconda. After Golconda, it is easy going into Fernley then through the canyon and Sparks/Reno. approaching Wells, (mm 350) have your CB on and set on 19...say hello and some nice female voice will welcome you to the "zone"....["hey boys, free coffee, free showers, free conversation...no obligation"]...just keep on truckin!
Stay the night at either Petro or T/A in Sparks. Construction through Reno on I-80 can be testy but short lived and watch your speed...in the construction zone stay in the left lane till you clear downtown then get over to the right lane. Watch your speed, 50 through the construction and 65 after to the State line. those NHP do like to get the trucks letting it get over down the short hills after Reno.

Once in CA, watch your speed....55 posted, but what's in front of you should keep you down at 55 or less. As you climb out of a flat, wide area and start up a good climb, Truckee Scale is at the top of this hill, along with the CA Agriculture "Bug Station". Have you BOL's ready to hand to the Ag Inspector and declare what your hauling...then over the hill we go!

Watch your speed at all times...Donner is very deceiving, and the down grades are long...so keep in control. You actually only have the one climb from Truckee up to Donner Summit...the last quarter of it is the steep part...don't be in a hurry to climb...save your engine! From the Summit, down you go...the first drop isn't that much but there are some easy turns and some crazy 4 wheelers, so pay attention. When you start a climb and see the turn off (exit) for CA 20, Grass Valley, Nevada City...at the top of this climb it will ease off almost flat, but the next drop is steep and quick. down this and up to Nyack. After the Nyack exit, there will be a Brake Check area...it is posted and enforced. Stop there and do a walk around...but steer clear of the port-a-potties, no explanation needed!

Now, after the Brake Check at Nyack, comes the real down grade...actually several of them. Keep your speed in control, if you are heavy, 50mph can be too much (depending on your jakes and brakes). When the signs say "advised 50", (or less) heed the warning!!! The top third of this downgrade isn't that bad for the curves. Once you pass the rest area at Gold Run (or just after) and the short climb...now the fun curves and grade start...just watch your speed....the mountain ain't all it's cracked up to be by the "fear mongers"! You will now go under a rail road trestle...you are coming up to Colfax...the first off/on ramp of Colfax always has a 4 wheeler blasting onto I-80...so watch for it and be ready! It's easy sailing now!!!

Just after the Bell Road off ramp...climb the hill and try to get over into the center lane to go Through Auburn. There are 4 on ramps through Auburn that the 4 wheelers like to launch out onto the freeway...very little warning...so stay in the center through the "S" turns of Auburn...then back over to the right lane.

The scale in the Sacramento area is at Antelope...just after Rocklin...no worries...well beyond the fun of coming off the mountain. Remember, trucks in the 2 right lanes in CA! When you are approaching Hwy 65 (Lincoln)...try to get into the center lane for all the congestion for the next 4-5 miles...just stay in the center, when the lanes open up to 4 then 5 lanes...keep the 2 right lane rule!

 

I have done cabbage and it wasn't that bad. Like I said, it's not the down, it's the up. The only reason I am scared is because of that video. I will say that the video has taught me to be respectful of the down grades. Maybe that is why I am better at going down. I don't care who is pushing me down (although I do get nervous when a truck gets behind me because maybe I am holding them up), it's my truck, I drive it, and I want to continue to drive it after I make it down safely!

 

No. It was a trainee and his trainer. They didn't know the trainer was in the truck until CalTrans went through the logs. And the England driver that filmed it was fired for driving through the debris. The moral of the story here: Don't Outdrive Your Ability. Slow down.

 

No kidding!

I'll stay on these western "Mountains" all day long.....you guys can have those sheets of ice!

Western mountains may be long and have some big elevations....but those short roller coasters back east can be HELL-O!

 

Don't be scared. Be cautious. It's not a bad pass. It's nothing like Red Mountain or Wolf Creek out in Colorado. Just keep your speed down and eyes on the road. That kid let it go and rode his brakes down.

 

Good report there otterhalf..
I don't run it that much any more so I did not know all the little hills and dips.

When I first started like I stated it was early 80's. My lead driver taught me how to run it with the jake and also with no jake.. Never got the brakes hot..
Alot of people listen to horror storeis and freak even before they get there.
As for Parley, I cheat when I can. 80 / 84/ 89 /15

 

Ha ha. I always tease my Western friends. We got some 9-10 % grades, and there are a few that are much worse. We don't use chains over here!

 

The Gulch is my all time favorite.
Let me guess, the trainer was asleep in the bunk?