My automatic made it down the Chattanowhere mountain grade

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by truckermario, Apr 9, 2012.

  1. VisionLogistics

    VisionLogistics Road Train Member

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    Jellystone
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    Actually, there's some truth to that; I recall talking to a mega carrier company driver with a nutted truck, and he got 4 MPH faster on the pedal versus the cruise, so he openly admitted to using a squeegee for washing the windshield as a prop stick to keep the pedal mashed. He adjusted the seat forward to cause the squeegee to apply enough pressure to remain wedged in place.

    I sometimes wonder if he's still alive. :biggrin_25513:
     
    scottied67 Thanks this.
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  3. The Bird

    The Bird Medium Load Member

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    White Rock, NM
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    scottied67 and striker Thank this.
  4. striker

    striker Road Train Member

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  5. WilliesPuddle

    WilliesPuddle Bobtail Member

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    For those of us not lucky enough to have driven these roads, can we get some % grade numbers? Just want to know what it's like compared to roads around here.
     
  6. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    everything everyone has ever done is the tuffest job ever so they think
    most are not smarter then a fifth grader the union ltl carrier thinks he is underpaid at 65000/year
    Personally after 35 years 200 miles offshore on the Atlantic Ocean this job seems pretty tame but I am sure I havn't seen the downside YET
    Thirty years ago when we hauled our own fish to Fulton Fish Market it head to be there by 2 am recievers didnt wanna here about tired snow breakdowns it was just like hauling produce of course there was no log and my 79 Pete would do 111 on the joisey pike
     
  7. striker

    striker Road Train Member

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    Denver, Co
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    youtube, search Million Dollar Highway, US 550, Red Mountain Pass....varies from 6% to 8%

    a little journey I had over 550 a few months back, and this was a light snow day
    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...stories/166927-us-550-during-a-snowstorm.html
     
    The Bird Thanks this.
  8. The Bird

    The Bird Medium Load Member

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    White Rock, NM
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    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_550

    I did it one night in December. Had to take a broke-down driver's 48,000 lb load of tar babies from Grand Junction to Albuquerque. Shortest route was US550. Didn't get to see the spectacular views, since it was night, but I had a full moon and could see that most of the time there was nothing but sky to my left. Often on a curve I would be over the zipper with the tractor (Classic) and in the gravel shoulder with the trailer (48' spread axle flatbed). It's the only road that has actually scared me.
     
  9. WilliesPuddle

    WilliesPuddle Bobtail Member

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    Williams Lake, B.C.
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    Ok, I know what that road is like then. Just a paved, more gradual version of 'The Hill' on Hwy 20 here in BC. They sure are fun, right? I've only done it in a 5500 series truck with a 3500 on the hook, but it is one hell of an experience, those kinds of hills. I saw this sign at the top, right beside a sign that said there was a 5 km stretch of it where 1/6 of the road was at 18%. Very fun, indeed.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Oi!

    Oi! Road Train Member

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    I know a moron that lost his license on that grade. Let it coast down a bit on very last part of it (right before you veer to the right to start going uphill again) at 70+ mph, shiny DOT Crown Victoria waiting right at the bottom. Reckless driving, license supended. His wife drives him to work now.
     
  11. NDBADLANDS

    NDBADLANDS Medium Load Member

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    Then why you show 0-1 years driving?
     
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