Need some I-80 west help....:

The climb from Auburn east to the top of the summit is just a tick over 50 miles, not always uphill. Between Colfax and Emigrant Gap is where the longest steepest part of the hill is, about 6 miles, near the rest area apx milepost 142. West bound there are a couple of runaway ramps in that area if I remember right. There are a few other 5% & 6% grades but they aren't very long. Going down the east side from the top is about a 4 -5 mile drop between 5 & 6%. Take away the bad weather and its just another grade to deal with. Sandstone Mtn on I 64 in W Va east of Beckley is worse in my opinion.

 

I have never been on donners pass b4 but thats video scared the hell out of me! One thing I struggle with is coming down a steep hill in the proper gear and thats because none of the trainers ever taight me the correct way so I kinda had to learn on my own. I can come down in the correct gear with a light load but the heavy loads I struggle with!!!!

 

My first time on Donner was in the winter, in a blizzard. Wipers quit working. Finally got off the road and replaced the fuse. After running I-70 from I-15 to Denver a LOT, I didn't find Donner to be all that bad.

I got out of driving school in October and immediately went to work. That first winter I ran from St. George UT to Denver, then to Kansas or Nebraska, and back to St. George. That was all I ran that winter, and it was a particularly bad one.

Even though I'm a native of Colorado, I had been in California for many years and had not driven those passes at all in the winter time. It was quite a learning experience. Don't be at all worried about driving "too slow" or "holding up" other drivers. Do what YOU are comfortable with, and don't get in over your head!

Flash that smile! (But keep your blouse buttoned up.)

 

Lady trucker the old rule of thumb was for every gear you drop going up a hill.. you drop the same amount going down the other side... with aerodynamics these days sometimes its better to drop another gear before u hit the other side... youll be fine.. just take it slow an easy...

 

I don't have to unbutton, just wear lowcut shirts.

 

Wont say a word to that quote.. nope nope...

 

good boy

 

(Turns echo up) ###### girl!(Turns echo down)

 

I need some help ON I80. But in ohio at exit 226. truck dont wanna do ITS job. Which is to get me to the next load and home!!!

 

We had a couple of Crash Test Dumbies (not-so experienced drivers) (Jan '12) fired for failure to maintain control and rolling over. Speed was a contributing factor as well as ice and snow during a Blizzard, but at least they're still alive.

There is absolutley no reason to be in that much of a hurry that reuslts in any truck drivers to die like those in post #4......so sad.