driving empty down vail pass

That's how it's done

 

try going down vail on the old road before the tunnel with a V-12 detroit and a 5x4 trans with a 300 rpm split. they did not make jacob brakes for detroits back them. thats how i learned to be careful on the big grades,some of the new drivers think the jake is a cure all for downhill grades. slow in the winter is good just dont stall the motor.

 

I hit Monarch Pass last week, empty... It was right around 20 degrees and snowing. 2AM. That was a fun night!

First snowy pass for me this season!

Also, first time pulling a flatbread with 10' spread in snow. Wasn't sure how it would handle. I did a good amount of winter driving last year but it was all dry van.

personally, I stop at a safe location, get out and do some walking. See what the parking lot is like.

Also, I TRY to lose traction. In the parking lot of coarse. I'll set the trailer breaks and see how much it takes to break the drives lose, then decide if I need to chain up... And if I need to chain, company policy is to shut it down! I usually run with my engine brake on lowest setting. Last week on monarch, I ran down with jake on low while empty. Didn't have a problem.

 

Ha, I was going to say, if its bad enough for FedEx/UPS to shut down I'd better get off the road too.

 

I've driven donner, vail, cabbage, etc chained/unchained, sometime fast, mostly slow, for some years, in tha past. convert your nervousness into respect for the conditions. the faster you go, the less time you got to correct. I have been on I-80, flat surface, at night, un chained, 25-30 mph, due to accident (road froze); truck & trailer started to slide into hammer lane.....I got off accelerator, slowly made correction as I found traction sliding into hammer lane. had I been going faster, I would have had less time time and perhaps missed that traction.....into the ditch.....like you'll see many do. pay attention to your surroundings, roads freeze after sunset, watch your trailer tandems for mist, no mist cuz it's frozen. check weather bands, cb, talk to other drivers about conditions, there are no dumb questions when it comes down to saving lives.......be safe......oh, if you chain up, learn it thoroughly. a young kid, driving a tree hauler, showed me how, fixed my broken chains, gave me some tips, etc. I've never used bungee, nor have I thrown chains.....which i'm sure you've seen the trail of chains, damaged tractor/trailer, etc.......so being nervous is a "good look" all tha previous info worked for us......find what works for you......"be safe out there".