A distant time

First off, Let me welcome All you newbies and newbie wannabes. I want to tell you that in todays world you all are smarter than I was when I started out, simply because of the times were living in, and the techknowledgy that is the norm today. My story today occured in 1981[ way back before you folks were born] and so --- it goes like this, I already had quite a few years of truckin under my belt and I considered my self a great trucker. I had a brand new Kenmore truck with a 318 detroit 8v71 Detroit diesel engine backed up with a 16 speed spicer air shift tranny, and I was hot sh--t , a real truckin cowboy! as any old timer can tell you, a 318 was a good engine in the city and on flat land but get it in the country and in the mountains and it lacked alot. I went on a run out west via the northern rt. and ended up with a load to Denver CO. Due to the fact that most of my truckin had been done in the midwest, south and north I was ignorant about truckin in the west especially in the rockys. [dumb as a box a rocks] So here I am getting ready to go down LA Vita pass into Denver, and having had my doors blowen off all day by big trucks I had an attatude [ imagine that!!] After I topped the pass I started passing alot of trucks. My 318 was really doing a number and I was feeling great. I noticed all the other trucks were running about 10 mph. and were over on the side with their wheels hanging on the shoulder of the road. My thoughts ??? Soon I realized my truck was gaining speed without any power applied by me. Holy Sh-t!! 60mph 7omph 75mph then I Realized I better start slowing down, but the brakes were not doing a good job of slowing me down, I pushed harder on the air brake and the brakes responded less. suddenly I smelled brakes burning and they were smoking [alot!]!!! I finely got my truck stopped on the shoulder and watched as the trucks that I had passed went by. I suppose they were thinking look at that dummy! After my brakes cooled down I slowly made it down to Denver. A lesson learned the hard way!! Happy trails to all! Levi39.