need advice on down hill slopes

i took the 9% grade over Big Mtn Us30 in midsouth PA a few months ago 45k in the box and that was a bear to keep the brakes cool and definately an exper.
as the rest just follow the signs and keep your head clear ie no phone calls, ignore the cb chatter, turn the radio down, and just plain stay focused.

 

It's been many years since I've been down that road but we went for a long time with no ramp on the NV side. I think the last time I was down there was back in the 90's. That's good to know. I would have never thought NV cared enough to do that.

 

I live in Colorado and run the Rockies. Been truckin' for a few years. Going down any incline I do NOT use my brakes unless necessary, what I mean is i descend using the engine brake( if so equip) A/C on (I know that sounds crazy,but it works), correct gear, consider your gross weight adjust your speed accordingly. Eisenhower (I-70W), with engine brake = 5th gear/78K to 80K weight. The speed limit on Eisenhower is 35mph I don't advise it, slower is better. Rule of thumb what you go up it, is what you go down it. You can go down a hill too fast once. And down the hill slow many times. It's your choose. Wolf Creek Pass E or W same principle. For 85K, it's 18mph and slower.

 

Or you can flip your fan to manual instead of turning on the AC in the Winter....That will slow you down too...

 

Done and sometimes still do cajone, laughlin, grapevine, mt pass, I-70, sisters, 395 out of mammoth, but the worst was a hay load at 77k on a 16% grade, locked drives, full jakes, 3rd gear, very little brakes, but very slow. Stay careful, be a chicken, set up your down grade plan before you get there, always err on the side of caution especially if you are unfamiliar with the road. I have been up and down cajone and Mt pass hundreds or thousands of times and I still treat them with respect. When the supertruckers laugh at you on the radio, just be confident that you will make it home. Don't worry they still laugh at me occasionally to... remember whats on the trailer behind you isn't worth your life.

 

If you're slowing down to 50 that's a good thing. Don't ever change that. When you get to the point where you say "I'm experienced, I can take this curve at 65 mph", that's where you mess up and roll over. I've been driving 7 years and I haul gas, I take corners like an old lady and I don't give a #### who's behind me. My life isn't worth saving a couple minutes a day.

 

I have been diong this for 37 years, and all I can say is let the jake do the work for yea,, If your truck has a brake App gauge put 15 to 20 pounds on it watch yout trailer for smoke ,,If it a steep long hill like cahone or any outher like it. Only you know How well you feel with it ,, Be safe Its not a race to the bottom. One thing is not to cram you brakes in the curve,, as that will screw things up,, brake before the curve. Hope I help you a little. Mid nite Toker

 

Very good points. Especially about doing your own thing and not letting other drivers push you. They don't know how well your engine brake is working or how much you're loaded up to. I don't agree about the old rule go down the same you came up with because grades are different all over. A driver would be real confused if he went down Cajon for the first time. Plus engines today are more powerful when that rule was the guide and some might pull a grade faster than I care to go down. It's my opinion so please do what works for you. The important factors are to remember anything can happen so you want your full braking power if needed, you do not save all that much time by flying down a hill. Take care of the truck so it can take care of you.