Coming into a hill too fast, no warning signs

Old rule night driving, if unfamiliar with road, slow down, be prepared for the unexpected 25-35 mph curve.

Slowing down 10 mph, release gain 5, hit brakes again just heats brakes up quick.
Steady constant pressure and not be going to fast.

 

They should’ve got up earlier, they expect a truck to be big and slow

 

Don’t let a 4 wheeler back-up behind you pressure you into a mistake that you cannot recover from.

 

I was taught and still use ,
The opposite of constant pressure

I get on the brakes and drop some speed and then off the brakes so they can cool .

the brakes should always work twice or three times to haul you down to about 10 MPH .

 

There is a saying that has never been false. You can take a hill/curve/grade too slow many times. But you can only take one too fast. ONCE. I've had other trucks bee otch at me going to slow. Don't matter. I still got to the same place in time for my loads.

 

It's probably happened to everyone at least once. Come over the top unaware of a steep grade ahead of you then start heading down the hill too fast with a heavy load, having trouble slowing down enough to drop a gear, and wondering if your brakes are going to outlast the downgrade. Not a good feeling.

 

My rule of thumb is I never let no 4 wheeler pressure me into anything! Ever! Now I know everyone driving a four wheeler is not the enemy, but #### sometimes it sure seems that way. Honestly the little brats will all get over their tantrums. Drive safe, they can wait

 

Well, getting on brakes, then letting off the brakes, let’s air hit them, heating the pads.
This isn’t with brake fluid, which can overheat and glaze like in a pickup/car.
I’ve been done every mountain in the US, and was taught steady pressure, if you have a brake application gauge, don’t exceed 10, if you do, you’re going to fast, use slow down, slowly enough to let up some off the pedal, but not all the way.
I’m still alive and haven’t even had to think of using a runaway ramp or that “we’re all gonna die!!”
But if you really wanna know how to not smoke a brake going down a mountain, here’s the best advice, in which I was told.
So I’m quoting here, “How do you not smoke a brake on a mountain, hmm, don’t go down one.”

Now remember, worn out thin pads, heat up faster than a good thick brake pad.
And this is for going down mountains, not hills, but by slowing down 10 mph, letting off to gain 5, which 80k+ which will be seconds, then hit brakes, and repeating, you’ll soon be...

and once the brakes get that hit, they’ll glaze, so they need to be changed, they’ll heat quicker and have less stopping power.