Mountain Driving Tips

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Best mountain advice I ever got..... Don't go down the up side or up the down side.

There you have it.

 

sorry i think faster than i can type ...yes you should be in proper gear BEFORE you start down. My bad sorry for the confusion.

So what am I thinking right now

You just had to go there didn't ya

 

whatever it takes to help you out Nik...always glad to help!

 

Man driver you got TOO much time on your hands but then again you drive for Swift right good one other half you definitely help keep the smiles on the face for sure

 

if you don't have jake we are taught to use the higest gear on the low range. while keeping a constant 7psi on the brakes. if you do have a jake use the lowest gear on high side with the same constant 7psi on the brake pedal and you will never smoke your brakes. please adjust for weather conditions as well for example rain if the roads are wet take it slower and if need be hold up and the brake check station til things clear up.

 

Uh I wasn't taught to keep a steady pressure on the binders but I'm not saying that is wrong. I was taught the snub braking method. Bring it down 5 under the safe speed usually 3-5 seconds let off and do it again.. Usually 1-2 gears lower than what you came up in. But whatever works safest for you is best. You can go down a hill slowly a million times but only one time too fast safety first, common sense and what someone posted earlier KNOW YOUR TRUCK. Like a buddy of mine says...slow and steady wins the race

 

Couple of problems with the aproach you have been taught. 1 what happens if the highest gear in low range is too high? 2 What happens if 7psi isn't enough to keep your speed in check? If you apply more and ride the brakes they never get a chance to cool. Hot brakes get to be no brakes very quickly. The stab or snub method works the best. If you see that you are going too fast you have a chance to slow down before it is too late. It is not a good feeling to lay on the brakes and the truck speed up,and it can easily happen if you get on a hill going too fast.

 

Better keep that theory in Florida it will get you in trouble out here in the west. If your having to use your brakes with your Jake your in the wrong gear generally speaking. When your using your Jake don't be afraid of letting your rpms build up to 22,000 or on a newer Detroit/Mercedes 24000.

If you don't know a hill better to be to slow than to fast. I see driver roll off the grape vine, Mtn Pass, & Baker all the time with brakes smoking. No reason for it with todays equipment.

 

The first of these are taught now at the schools. IMHO they teach it not because its the better way to control the truckm but it;s easier to trach and requires no driver judgement.

My Dad taught both as you need to use what suits your situation, Grade & Load the best. This is like so many other things of both being the correct answer in a given situations.

I prefer snub or stab braking used in conjunction with the correct gear. I never recommend down shifting after starting down a hill, gear selection should be done prior to driving over the edge. This is especially if you need this section to get down a hill.

If your a new or trainee driver you should be discussing the terrain coming up with your trainer at the beginning of your driving shift before you move the truck.