Speaking of double clutching

Repeat after me:

"I will NEVER try to shift while going down a mountain grade"

You were correct in your assessment that it is a recipe for disaster. If your brakes should happen to fade enough that you can't slow down and can't get the truck back into gear because the road speed and rpms are higher than the governed rpm of the engine...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x5-38LJ8N4

 

Downshifting going down a grade can be done if done correctly and safely. Keep it in gear slow it down to where the rpms are down to 1000 or so quick out bump throttle up and shift to lower gear. Now if you're already going down fast you're not gonna get it slowed down safely or in control.. Just saying it can be done safely but if you were in the right gear before you started down you wouldn't have to worry about downshifting.

 

True, but I am sure you have been surprised a few times. I know it isn't considered Kosher, but I do brake with my left foot while floating with my right throttle foot.

 

Oh yeah, ive been surprised a time or two and had to drop one gear lower than I thought.

 

No. I descend a mountain to a turn intersection regularly. If the gear is too high, the brakes have to slow it till you can downshift. Frell wear and tear. I grind if it works for the truck. I don't want the wheels smoking at the bottom.