Choosing a gear for down hill

You should go down a long steep grade in a gear lower than the one you would use to climb that grade. What happens to you if you are depending upon your engine brake to take you down and it quits? (Yes, I have had that happen) One mile down a six mile grade in too high of a gear and your jake quits, can leave you in a very precarious situation. You have to take these grades cautiously and carefully and be ready for anything. Getting in a hurry may be the last thing you ever do!

 

These answers like no problem, it's easy once you go down, go as fast as you can to stay legal, down shift while going down, are all methods I would not use. But if you get down the grade and do not cause a problem then I guess it's OJT and sooner or later the methods will change. I'm always either loaded up to 105,000lbs or empty so I do it different.

Before I even start I make sure the brakes are working correctly. I know this is a pain but better to know before than to find out when it's too late. Don't ever guess, I did it once and it about killed me. I'll turn off the music radio and turn down the CB real low. I'll roll the window down enough to smell the outside. I will smell, feel, see, or hear what the truck is doing. I'm tuned in and sharp. My Sense-O-Meter will be close to being off the scale. I'm zoned into all noises, bumps, bangs, pops, or anything that could cause problems. I know the truck so it's second nature to what gear to be in. It will come to everyone with time and then you'll pick the gear and not even think about it. Like some have said go down the grade and let the engine brake (or whatever you have) do it's job. Your saving money and time when you let the truck work for you. You shouldn't have that burnt out smell of the brakes and if you do it's time to stop. At night I will watch the rear of the truck (when I release the brakes) to see if there's any smoke. Sometimes it's hard to see but always play it safe.

Some may feel that when no one is on the road let the truck go. To me that's crazy. What a lot of drivers do is forget what can happen in the hills. What would you do if you came around the turn and there was a rock slide on the road? . Or a car broke down? You should always have 100% of your braking power just in case you need it. Last point then I'll kick this box away. DO NOT BECOME COMPLACENT with any grade anywhere. It's all my 2¢ thanks.

 

This is a general guideline if you have a manual ten speed transmission in your truck.
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.If the posted truck speed limit for trucks ends in a "5" then and add the two digits together. That should be the highest gear that you should consider. For example: 25 mph is 2+5 or 7th gear is the highest gear you should consider using. 6th gear would be a better choice if you have limited experience.
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.If the posted truck speed limit for trucks ends in a zero, then subtract 5 and then add the two digits together. That should be close to the appropriate gear for you to descend the grade.
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Remember when you are descending a steep grade, the primary control over your speed is the engine braking effect from being in the proper gear. The engine brake [jakes] is a secondary control over your speed and the service brake is your last control over your speed. Your engine brake works best at higher rpm.
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As a reference, check out http://www.overdriveonline.com/smart-driving-2

 

As someone who had to run Eisenhower and Vail Pass several times, it amazes me the number of people who only pay attention to their immediate surroundings. Minutes later, the brakes are smoking and they're fighting to pull off. If you see signs out saying, "X% grade next 10 miles," they're there for a reason. Gear down before you crest that downhill slope. I drop below where I need to (so shifting down three or four instead of two, especially if heavy). Then wait, see how things go and shift up one or two if needed. I do this on any slope I am unfamiliar with. The goal is stay off my brakes as much as I can. If people want to pass, that's their business. Let 'em.

 

I try to go down in a gear that my Jakes hold me steady on medium and if I start to gain speed I have high. I usually don't have to touch the brakes unless I come up to someone running really slow. Also I don't understand why everyone makes a big deal out of Donner it's long not steep. At least you don't have to stop at a scale once at the bottom like when you are coming into LA from Vegas.

 

My 2 Cents. Stop & think. How much weight do I have on. You can run off a mountain 100 times to slow, But once too fast.

 

Ask the DOT....They hire engineers to deem what is "safe"....

 

Ok...What's your formula for an 18 speed or a 6 on 4?.....

 

oh.so because i can ease on down the mountain and pass you automatically means that the load that isn't pushing me is lighter? by your perspective,the reason that i pass you on flat ground is because i am lighter,never mind the fact that you lose sight of my tail lights in a minute or less.

I am not following the logic that you present.are you able to explain that logic?

 

what if you start the decline without an engine brake because there is not one to engage and then go out?