Going downhill...

well i always never use the jake anyway, far as going down any hill they teach you that in school too use a lower gear or same gear going up a hill, i feather the brake pedal then relaise let rpm go up , feather again, thats way they taught me, icy no go , i'll wait in truckstop till the salt trucks come out and then leave a hour latter or so, letting the ice melt do the work, same with snow, theres no load worth your life too go on any icey hill or snow coverd hill

 

With Snow/Ice don't use any type of engine brakes unless you are a seasoned winter driver. You have 2 options. Chain up and hope you don't slide or go around the hill. What is the percent of the grade? Anything over 7% could be iffy even with Iron on. The best way to desend a slick grade is to select a lower gear, brake and power up at the same time/power braking. Something you might want to practice a few times.

 

2500rpms....eeek.

 

Hang on a sec. It said to avoid using engine breaks? It does not say that "Not to use Engine breaks." For 2500 rpm, that engine break would be on all the way. It is that or a big crash.

 

I thought this was going to be about the state of the trucking industry.

 

Just how steep is that hill?What grade would you say it is?Since you know that hill and the cops that are there waiting for their next victim,I would start slowing down a mile or so before you reach the hil then down shift keep plenty of follwing distance and fan the brks unless you wanna chance it and use your jakes but u still hav to downshift and fan the brks.But keep in mind what did the truckers do before the jakes were invented.So you really don't need the jakes I would think? But if u feel you do ,is there a high and low side to your jakes?Snow and ice season is about over but if it is covered I would chain up and do always remember start slowing down long before you approach that hill.Don't let the other traffic make you nervous,they can wait or go around,you the trucker comes first.

 

Wow 8 years driving and you are asking this?

Not trying to be smart..just saying.

You should set up your approach..and use a combo of lower gear and brakes..don't run your rpms up so high..you may hitting the hill too fast.

As for the jake if things get out of hand..kick it on and the hell with the fine.

 

I was thinken the same thing,pretend you didnt see the sign and use the jakes.Would'nt be the first time.Many towns have no engine braking signs,do I listen,nope and i've never got fined.

 

How do you log this ?