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Other trucks and hills

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 440CHEVY, Apr 23, 2009.

  1. Apr 23, 2009 #1
    440CHEVY

    440CHEVY Bobtail Member

    10
    0
    Jan 13, 2009
    Duluth, MN
    0
    Just fishing for some info on an issue that has been frustrating me, not sure if I'm the one in the wrong or not. I just started driving an end dump this year, and every load I haul involves a large hill, 8% grade I think (trying to remember what it says on the signs). Anyways, I think I do a great job of controlling my 80,000 pounds of truck, I just touch 30mph in a 40mph and I try my best to find a balance between the jake and the brakes since it's a noise controlled hill.

    Now, my problem comes when I get behind a trucker who I know isn't fully loaded yet they decide to go down the hill at 20 mph, and I'm stuck behind him. Traffic is flying by in the left lane so even if I felt comfortable enough to pass, I can't, and besides I don't really feel passing on a downhill grade is the safest thing to do. Usually when this happens I end up with my jake on the entire grade and my brakes still don't like me that much at the bottom. Does anyone have any advice how to best handle this situation? I mean chances are good I will have a bigger load then the guy in front of me and I really don't see a good fix for this other then heatin' up the brakes.

    I should mention also that this accident happened last year at the bottom of this hill: http://www.startribune.com/local/20506459.html?location_refer=Local + Metro
     
    440CHEVY, Apr 23, 2009
    440CHEVY, Apr 23, 2009
    #1
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  3. Apr 23, 2009 #2
    MM71

    MM71 Heavy Load Member

    760
    991
    Jun 28, 2008
    AZ
    0
    What would I do? Drop another gear, and let the jakes blare away. If you get pulled over, and after explaining why you were using an engine brake in a restricted area, if you are still given a ticket .... go to court and explain yourself to the judge.

    Or ... If its just one truck, signal, and when safe to do so pass. I feel no guilt for holding up a 4 wheeler for a short time ...
     
    MM71, Apr 23, 2009
    MM71, Apr 23, 2009
    #2
  4. Apr 23, 2009 #3
    dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

    9,922
    3,713
    May 6, 2007
    Mississippi
    0
    Not much you can do about the scardy cats of the world. I run into this too.

    Other than falling out into the left lane, you're doing all you can now.

    You know it's safe at the speed you're running, the other guy, who knows whats going through his mind.

    I've come through the Gorge on I-40 (NC) in the left lane too many times because drivers where scared out of their minds. One day it will catch up with me, and cost me a lot of $$$$ for the ticket.
     
    dancnoone, Apr 23, 2009
    dancnoone, Apr 23, 2009
    #3
  5. Apr 23, 2009 #4
    brinkj23

    brinkj23 "Asphalt Cowboy"

    1,165
    322
    Dec 26, 2005
    Minnesota
    0
    Heck on those hills in Duluth area I would drop another gear and let the jakes go, or if comfortable pass in the left lane. I would not want to drive anything on those hills during the winter.
     
    brinkj23, Apr 23, 2009
    brinkj23, Apr 23, 2009
    #4
  7. Apr 23, 2009 #5
    ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

    17,502
    12,015
    Sep 23, 2007
    Ask my GPS...
    0
    I dunno... that might be me you're talking about. On an 8% at or near GCVW, I'm pretty conservative any more. I had my air start collapsing one time, with just enough to get stopped at the bottom of the hill. You can aways start at the top a gear or two down, and shift up. Once you get going too fast with fading brakes or find that there's no place where the grade relaxes enough to drop another gear, you're screwed.
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2009
    ironpony, Apr 23, 2009
    ironpony, Apr 23, 2009
    #5
  8. Apr 23, 2009 #6
    440CHEVY

    440CHEVY Bobtail Member

    10
    0
    Jan 13, 2009
    Duluth, MN
    0
    Yeah I hear you ironpony, and I would not be here complaining about these guys if I didn't know for a fact that they were no where near fully loaded.

    Also I did try dropping a gear but I'm in 5th gear on a 13 spd and 4th slows me to a crawl.

    One other thing I've noticed is that these guys never throw on the flashers when they decide to go 15-20 when traffic is reaching 45-50...
     
    440CHEVY, Apr 23, 2009
    440CHEVY, Apr 23, 2009
    #6
  9. Apr 24, 2009 #7
    tex88

    tex88 Bobtail Member

    36
    2
    Apr 11, 2009
    pahrump,nv
    0
    just stay where your comfortable is what i do if that slows you up i sorry let them go slow just go around when its safe:biggrin_25523:
     
    tex88, Apr 24, 2009
    tex88, Apr 24, 2009
    #7
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