need advice

i am a trucker with 1 year otr experience i usually comfortably run 2500-3200 miles a week currently not driving but now applying to several different companies i have never been too comfortable with down grades with twisty bends worried about rolling the truck how should i handle the situation so i can go faster with out the fear of rolling any help would be appreciated thanks

 

A little bit of "fear" about going on long twisty downgrades is a good thing. This fear is probably what has kept you alive so far. I really wouldn't worry about it too much. Just keep doing what you have been doing.

 

ok thanks i was really worried that i was gonna sound like a idiot with this post

 

There's an old saying that goes something like this:

" You can come down a hill a thousand times too slow, but you'll only come down it once too fast ."

Safety first, my friend. Don't push yourself any faster than you feel comfortable. That comfort level is different with every driver, so don't let another driver talk you out of your comfort zone, in any driving situation.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wifwg6xWVAU&feature=player_embedded

Watch this video.This driver and his trainer only went down the hill to fast once. Double Fatality. Take your time and be comfortable with what your doing. It`s not a race to see who gets to the bottom first.

 

i saw the video and now i understand what you guys are saying i now even sitting here at my computer feel alot more comfortalbe just doin what i have been doing i thank all of you that posted on this thread

 

Wow, that video puts things into perspective. I'll take a look at that as a reminder.
Thanks

 

Many steep downgrades have a suggested speed or lower speed limit for trucks . Know what gear won't exceed that speed and stay in that gear with the Jake brake on . Why are you asking about going faster ?

 

Don't let anybody push you, not even your trainer. If he or she is a good trainer they won't push you anyway. After all these years I still get real serious about going down the grades. I'll turn off the music radio and keep the cb down low. I'll roll the window down just a bit so I can smell if the brakes are getting too hot. You've got to use all your senses.

There's a training film out there that's called the "Charlie Morecraft Story" and it's just him talking and working outside of his comfort zone. I guarantee you if you see you'll never forget it.

 

Always take your time, when descending steep grades...