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Chicago to Salt Lake City - I80, how is the run ?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by newtrucker2011, Jul 17, 2011.

Page 2 of 5
  1. Jul 17, 2011 #11
    newtrucker2011

    newtrucker2011 Light Load Member

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    Dec 10, 2010
    Chicago, IL
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    Thanks a lot ! This truck will NOT be parked for 4 days - it will stop for fuel only. (Fuel stops is when I will be grabbing my food/beverage and using the bathroom)

    Only have 24 hours to make a 21.5 hour run, just doesn't leave a lot of playtime.

    Now - any advice on how to drive Parleys ? I have been running regional Midwest and really never dealt with the Donners and Parleys out there.....
     
    newtrucker2011, Jul 17, 2011
    newtrucker2011, Jul 17, 2011
    #11
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  3. Jul 17, 2011 #12
    otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    CA...gold discovery foothills
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    Climbing the grades is simple...maintain your RPM's...decending is not quite as easy....

    1. There are brake check pull outs at the top of most all summits out west (east/south too)...use them to make sure brakes are properly adjusted...all wheel groups!

    2. Don't let the speed get ahead of you...STAB BRAKING...jakes and just enough braking to get rig back to desired max decline speed...remember to give the brakes some cooling time between applications.

    3. Never "launch" over the crest of a grade! Ease over the crest and see for yourself what the down slope does to the rig....never drive a mountains reputation, drive the road not the reputation.

    4. You will be driving in chain control zones...do you know how to put on chains? Learn and practice now...before you must use them! Chains will not help you in ice...don't even try! And know the chain requirements for the States you will be traveling. Always know the weather conditions ahead of the rig...if I-80 is closed, will I-70 be open for the alternate route?


    There are threads here on TTR that will give you information on the topics I have mentioned...chaining, downhill driving, STAB BRAKING, and mountain driving....use the SEARCH box and read them!
     
    otherhalftw, Jul 17, 2011
    otherhalftw, Jul 17, 2011
    #12
    AZS Thanks this.
  4. Jul 17, 2011 #13
    newtrucker2011

    newtrucker2011 Light Load Member

    68
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    Dec 10, 2010
    Chicago, IL
    0
    Thanks a ton for the reply and the advise ! It is genuinely appreciated !~

    I like what you said: "Drive the road not the reputation" - that sounds like good advice.

    I have never chained tires, or driven doubles either - but it is a team run so I will have someone with me, and I am looking forward to learning something new. I mean, I have the endorsement - may as well actually learn it right ? I know so many people (including myself lol) that took the test and got the doubles/triples endorsement on our CDL, but couldn't tell you the first thing about it because we have never actually driven a set.:biggrin_2554:
     
    newtrucker2011, Jul 17, 2011
    newtrucker2011, Jul 17, 2011
    #13
    otherhalftw Thanks this.
  5. Jul 17, 2011 #14
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    Driving a "set" is easy. Fed-ex loads are usually light, so descending grades will be easy. I assume you will weigh the load before departure. Make #### sure the heavy trailer, if there is one, is the lead trailer. Get used to getting up to help your partner to chain up in winter. Your first trip, maybe let teamate descend Parleys grade, the last 20 miles before you enter SLC, going west on I-80. I always took I-84 into Ogden then down I-15. About 20 miles further, but no hills. Just be carefull, I see so many Fed ex doubles in the ditch.
     
    Allow Me., Jul 17, 2011
    Allow Me., Jul 17, 2011
    #14
    Roadmedic, groundpounder and otherhalftw Thank this.
  7. Jul 17, 2011 #15
    otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    CA...gold discovery foothills
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    I was thinking the same...especially WY and IA when the snows start blowing!
     
    otherhalftw, Jul 17, 2011
    otherhalftw, Jul 17, 2011
    #15
    Roadmedic Thanks this.
  8. Jul 17, 2011 #16
    groundpounder

    groundpounder Road Train Member

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    That run is gonna be a bear in the winter especially w/doubles..
     
    groundpounder, Jul 17, 2011
    groundpounder, Jul 17, 2011
    #16
    Roadmedic Thanks this.
  9. Jul 17, 2011 #17
    newtrucker2011

    newtrucker2011 Light Load Member

    68
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    Dec 10, 2010
    Chicago, IL
    0
    Question: If you take 84 to 15 South, you will avoid the mountains ? ? Looking at it on the map, it seems that you still drive through mountains there........

    20 extra miles to save all the stress running of running Parleys seems like a fair trade off to me..........
     
    newtrucker2011, Jul 17, 2011
    newtrucker2011, Jul 17, 2011
    #17
  10. Jul 17, 2011 #18
    1badz28

    1badz28 Road Train Member

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    savannah georgia
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    keep the windows up thru Nebraska i think the worlds worst smelling feedlots are on that strech of road. amd be mindfull of the winds in wyoming they can be brutal year round espically at the higher altitudes
     
    1badz28, Jul 17, 2011
    1badz28, Jul 17, 2011
    #18
  11. Jul 17, 2011 #19
    otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

    13,081
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    Nov 18, 2008
    CA...gold discovery foothills
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    You only go around Parley (after Park City west bound) that canyon can get it's share of ice when the storms are there....84 is all canyon from I-80 to I-15...slight down grade in some spots, but wicked when it ices over in a few spots...very good piece of road though.

    Most avoid Parley because of the climb and decent of the Parley Summit...a very heavy load will do some slow climbing that last bit to the summit of Parley...short but steep.
     
    otherhalftw, Jul 17, 2011
    otherhalftw, Jul 17, 2011
    #19
  12. Jul 17, 2011 #20
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    Since you will be doing this run twice a week, take both routes if you have the opportunity and decide which way you like. It will depend on your teamate and location of the drop in SLC. Your teamate might be gung ho and only run I-80 all the way. There is traffic on I-15 north of SLC. See if you can find the Fed ex drop yard on google map and get an idea. It will make a difference if the yard is south of town or wherever.
     
    Allow Me., Jul 17, 2011
    Allow Me., Jul 17, 2011
    #20
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