Just some questions came up after the I70 crash in CO.

Is it illegal to have smoking brakes? I did not know!

 

Yes, US 20. it is a very beautiful area, I should go there with my family one day. I loved that trip and made good money from it also.

 

Smoking brakes mean you screwed it royally and did not properly come down the mountain correctly.

And so they will be out of adjustment and other problems. The smoke is a siren call to the DOT to come take care of you proper.

If you come off Charlestown WVa and downgrade to Harpers Ferry on 340, there is a sharp drop to the bridge. Mr Smokey is sitting at the bottom waiting to catch hot brakes among other things.

The bridge there has been replaced some time ago. The original was abused beyond reason despite draconican weight restrictions. I remember some of the plate movement to this day crossing that heavy.

 

Then there is this little song about a runaway,,

 

Smoking brakes are a symptom of either having a bad brake system...out of adjustment, brake cammed over so it's not doing it's share, glazed shoes from previous hot brakes, bad valving so truck or trailer is getting more air than the other... or, most commonly, a driver not knowing how to use his brakes properly.
In any event it's an invitation to meet your local LEO.

 

And another lesson for all the newbies,

 

Several times a week I see drivers smoking their brakes coming eastbound down monteagle. I'd like to believe its lack of training, but the longer I spend out here I'm more inclined to believe we just share the roads with some truly stupid people. I can come down Monteagle in 6-high or 7-low(depending on my weight) and never even have to think about the brake pedal.

 

And another