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Haulin ##### up steep grades

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by chaz7r, May 9, 2013.

Page 1 of 2
  1. May 9, 2013 #1
    chaz7r

    chaz7r Light Load Member

    160
    106
    Jan 29, 2013
    Belfield, ND
    0
    Ok been playing ice road trucker up in the north dakota oil fields. Slow and steady has been my motto. Yesterday I came up on a very steep 1/2 mile dirt hill. Driving a mack vision :( with a 13 speed not sure of the power rating, pulling about 5500 gallons of water in a steel vac tanker. First shot at it I took a run up it about 50 mph into 6th splitter in low started losing rpm quick down shifted into fifth no time to split my gears but it wasn't smooth by any means I had to shift into low range fourth immediately then into third which pulled the rest of the hill slowly but smoothly. I never got to watch another trucks method. How would you guys do it? What is the best way to make a quick downshift on a very steep upgrade while bouncing all over the cab? Go like hell and attempt to downshift on the way up. Or put it in third an go slow and steady and hope you don't break traction?
    Also on my last trip up (sixth of the day) I had her in fifth with my splitter still in high (big mistake) I tried to shift in to fourth but my splitter being in high and being a 13 speed, no go into fourth. Long way back down in reverse lol. Glad to see no witnesses though
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2013
    chaz7r, May 9, 2013
    chaz7r, May 9, 2013
    #1
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  3. May 9, 2013 #2
    Blind Driver

    Blind Driver Road Train Member

    3,081
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    Aug 7, 2006
    New Albany, IN
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    If you can get traction, slow and steady is easiest on the truck.
     
    Blind Driver, May 9, 2013
    Blind Driver, May 9, 2013
    #2
    chaz7r Thanks this.
  4. May 9, 2013 #3
    dannythetrucker

    dannythetrucker Road Train Member

    2,856
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    May 26, 2011
    everywhere, man
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    If it's real steep I'd just try to pick a gear I think will get me to the top and crawl up it. If it goes easy maybe try one higher the next time ?
     
    dannythetrucker, May 9, 2013
    dannythetrucker, May 9, 2013
    #3
  5. May 9, 2013 #4
    cetanediesel

    cetanediesel Medium Load Member

    470
    186
    Mar 26, 2013
    Albany, NY
    0
    The 13spd is the problem, not you. If your heavy, when down shifting from high to low go from 5th to 3rd. If your engine doesnt have the balls to pull the load, just drop it and ride it out to the top. Shifting and running trucks on slippery surfaces is something you will have to figure out what works best for you. You sound like you are doing great already. Good luck.
     
    cetanediesel, May 9, 2013
    cetanediesel, May 9, 2013
    #4
    chaz7r Thanks this.
  7. May 9, 2013 #5
    RAGE 18

    RAGE 18 Road Train Member

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    Jan 31, 2011
    GOLD£N☆STAT£
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    35 mph lock the axles n steady up we go.
     
    RAGE 18, May 9, 2013
    RAGE 18, May 9, 2013
    #5
  8. May 9, 2013 #6
    SLANT6

    SLANT6 Road Train Member

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    1,376
    Dec 3, 2012
    The Nut House
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    Going up a steep hill like that, loaded, and trying to make a quick downshift...you are asking for a blown power divider and twisting a driveshaft out of the truck. Pick the right gear to get you up the hill and do it smooth and steady.
    5500 gal. of water is about 44,000 lb. plus a steel vac trailer...off the top of my head has you about 85,000? Without seeing the rig.
    Smooth and steady up the hill.
     
    SLANT6, May 9, 2013
    SLANT6, May 9, 2013
    #6
  9. May 9, 2013 #7
    jowsuf

    jowsuf Light Load Member

    137
    104
    Jan 18, 2013
    Seattle
    0
    I'm fresh out of training, so as a clueless newbie I want to ask you guys to clarify something. If you have a steep downgrade, you have to be set up in the gear you're going to go down the hill in at the top before you head down. Does this apply to steep upgrades? I've found it hard downshifting on upgrades not even that steep. Does it work to just select the gear you know you'll get up there with and just take it slow and steady? Any input on this would help me out, as I don't know how to approach an ant hill, let alone a steep upgrade.
     
    jowsuf, May 9, 2013
    jowsuf, May 9, 2013
    #7
  10. May 9, 2013 #8
    chaz7r

    chaz7r Light Load Member

    160
    106
    Jan 29, 2013
    Belfield, ND
    0
    Yeah I know its tough on the truck. But I thought I was going to be able to speed up it with at worst one downshift. Road was alll chatter bumps and the ol mack ran out of steam pretty quick. If the road was paved I would just put her in third and chug up the sucker, but I was afraid to spin out on the wet dirt. Next time I'm gonna try creeping up.
     
    chaz7r, May 9, 2013
    chaz7r, May 9, 2013
    #8
  11. May 9, 2013 #9
    shortrun

    shortrun Light Load Member

    55
    24
    Apr 14, 2013
    0
    Drop air presser (depending on tires and surface), lock axles, and hit the hill at 35 to 40 mph.


    On the way out don't forget to air back up. If you don't have a tire inflation system then it's time consuming.
     
    shortrun, May 9, 2013
    shortrun, May 9, 2013
    #9
  12. May 9, 2013 #10
    shovel98

    shovel98 Light Load Member

    251
    241
    Jan 15, 2011
    mn
    0
    How about throwing some iron and take it slow I have thrown iron in July in nd oilfield just to get to some places when no blade around to push ya
     
    shovel98, May 9, 2013
    shovel98, May 9, 2013
    #10
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