I’m a new driver and I’m startled by the mountains

The best way to learn how to drive in mountains is to go find a regional gig in the northwest for awhile.. Or just take some runs out there.. You will learn really quickly... Lots of good info here..

 

Don’t avoid any states or you will always feel like a rookie. Mountains are where I’m at most of the time..just seems like that’s where the money sends me. Better to get some experience in them now before the snow returns..then you’ll have some understanding of how to run your truck downhill. Believe me, you don’t want to just be learning in the snow and ice.
Learn to chain up now while the weather is good so you’re not fumbling around in sub zero weather trying to figure it out.

Helps a lot too if your truck is spec’d for running mountains..HP, torque and proper axle ratio.

 

The big mistake I hear from drivers that want you to think they’ve been driving a long time is “Oh, I can go down Cabbage at 60 mph no problem”.

What they fail to realize is it’s not about how fast you can go down it. It’s how fast you can stop should the need arise.

 

My very first trip in a truck took me to Taos, then Waglsenburg to Gunnison, over Monarch pass.

Don't overthink it. No way I'd trade the peace I get out west for the chaos east of 29.

Before you know it, you'll be dropping Lookout Pass with 6" of fresh snow.

 

I learned Mountain Truck Driving doing turns on I-77 from NC to Charleston, WV.
There were either ZERO "Escape Ramps" or I no paid attention to them.

Dropping out of Flagstaff, AZ on either I-40W or I-17S.
I-10 rolling West off of Mt. Blanc, TX., was fun, especially at Night.
Another FUN Route was Beckley, WV., up Rt.19 to I-79N.
BIG DROPS B4 I-79 with no "escape ramps".

Then there was Pennsylvania (and their 2 lane truck routes), as well on I-81 to Syracuse, NY.

 

I-68 WV was my first encounter with a mountain in a truck. Loaded to 80k with a bottled water load and it was snowing like a mo-fo.

Was definitely a “Come to Jesus” moment!

Still today, I rank that stretch of interstate as one of the most challenging.

 

Oh the fun of I-68.
That stupidly placed scale going East, around the 32 yard line where numerous HEAVY trucks couldn't stop??
Lotta smoking Brakes for that nuthouse.
I pulled some single dense Coils through there on a 53' skateboard with a 10 speed flat top cornbinder.
Those were the days!!

I wood rather have gone (at the time) to the truck plaza at x-57 in baltimore or a little south to jessups than EVER again roll I-68.

 

Since you run the the south so much, use Monteagle as practice. It isn't the steepest hill you'll go down by a long shot, but it's steep enough to train on how to drive down mountain grades effectively. You still must respect it. Black Mountain in North Carolina is a good practice grade as well. You start slow, and if you have a well maintained, good truck, going down with you engine brake activated will stay at one speed provided you chose the right speed. The Volvos we drive will go down just any grade at level 2 engine brake and the right speed.

 

Pilot Mtn and/or Fancy Gap is a serious hill, IMO.

 

Ran a long logger over Tombstone daily. No ramps just 25mph corners and a canyon on the drivers side. Triples(105k) off of Govy(26) daily with no jakes. I have nothing to add that hasn't been said. These drivers know their stuff.....run it cool.