Down hill grade on slick hyways

k im pretty confused so far... but i think its power divider OFF descending mountains, and obviously on when chained up climbing the mountain, and jakes on low you can get away with...right?

 

truckin time, you got it! power divider on going up hill, and diff lock on below 25 mph. on the down side, turn off diff lock, and turn off power divider, and adjust your speed to use a low jake. If you can maintain traction, and build up a little more steam, then do so, and use jakes on next setting.
You dont want to use jakes on high with too much speed and need to shave off the speed on poor traction.

 

Pretty much.

 

Dumb newbie question... Do you have to be at a complete stop to engage your diff lock/power divider? Or can you engage them while the truck is in motion?

 

Used to be you did need to be stopped--in recent history manufacturers claim you do not need to be--many trucks used to come with a sticker at the switch telling you only to use when stopped--or do not use when a wheel is spinning--but not so much anymore--BUT--being the cranky ol set in my ways guy I am--I never engage when moving--but doesn't mean Im right! LOL
Also as for the jakes--the advice givin here is very good--BUT--remember-it also depends on your motor and how the jakes are set--most larger company trucks have the jakes backed off so far--that 3stage is weaker then my 1st stage--

 

You can engage/disengage diff locks anytime you DO NOT have wheel spin.

 

good thread fellers, Thanks.