Safest way to drive downhill?

Whenever its time to drive downhill i just jump in the bunk. But when i do have to sit in the drivers seat i put it in R and open the drivers door just in case something goes wrong i can jump out. lol

 

First off STOP DOING TRYING TO DO WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING. Go down in the gear you are comfortable in and can stop in. I have been driving for 16 years and still won't take chances going down some hill. You never know what's around the corner. Put your flashers on and usually there is a speed limit. Try to stay within or below the speed limit and you will be alright, but if you feel its to fast slow it down more. Only thing you should be using going down hill is your high,med, and low jake brake gears if you have them, and the weather is not too bad. Yes we have all been told not to use jakes in the rain and on ice, but use common sense, and if it's that bad that you don't feel comfortable using your jakes. Then gear down even more and use the lowest or medium gear selection on your jake brake. If you fill yourself lose traction. cut off the jakes. Also when you can practice going down the hill/mountain like you would do in bad weather. So you can be prepared. Remember turn 4 ways on, and watch your mirror's so you don't get run over or can get out the way of an out of control truck.

 

I like to drop it into neutral and just roll as fast as I can,sometimes I can get it up to 80 mph with 3 trls back there going side to side..

 

Say what? Where and who did you learn this from?

 

Worried about going too slow I have been out here 10yrs or so and I went down a hill the other day at 5mph why it was super steep and had a corner at the bottom I could not tell how sharp. Now its not the same as going down donner or black mtn where you have other trucks and cars around but its what I felt was safe for it. I have done vail at 55-60 and I have done it at 5 to 10 depends on load and weather. Point is as others say who cares what others are doing. You must be safe I would much rather chase you all the way down the hill 20 mph slower than most other trucks than have to check on you or the vehicle that got wreckd for survivor's any day of the week.

 

In all seriousness, in school I thought trucks were totally out of control down hill. However I have driven down the highest mountains in the snow and ice with heavy loads and with down shifting and the jake brake the truck will maintain a slow speed. Just be sure not to ride the brakes. Plus there are not a lot of exits on mountains so people will not have a reason to slam on their brakes except for one place in VA and I stay in the left lane since one spot always has idiots hitting their brakes there and I prepare for it.

 

40k aint nothing I do it all the time @ 110k GVW..LOL

 

Pick a gear that your not going to have to hit the air brakes. I've been passed many times by other trucks going down grades. I'll then pass those same trucks who are now pulled off on the side smoking.

 

Yea. If you're not using the throttle, the truck is actually coasting down the hill.
How hard is that to understand..?