Coming into a hill too fast, no warning signs

Back right before they dismantled the Chicago area red-light scam, there was a curve south of the city on highway 20 that had a red-light camera right after a curve. There was no sign warning of an upcoming traffic signal either. It was literally impossible to see that the light even existed until you were right at it, since the view was blocked by trees, so if you were in a slow-braking vehicle, you'd naturally run it. The camera got me, but right at that time they got rid of the citation program, so I never got the ticket.

 

No Jake for me right now Lol. Haven't put in a switch yet since ripping out the wires and going full mechanical. But it's not like Mack was known for stellar Jake performance, might as well hold your hand out the window haha. After going with the bigger turbo and lower compression it's almost non existent anyways

 

I can't believe no one else has said this.

If you aren't gonna take care of your equipment, don't expect it to take care of you. Especially running big hills? Get it in the shop.

 

what about when the jake goes out while ur going down a grade? its important to know what to do and to practice going down hills without it so you are prepared. just imagine if that driver in colorado wouldve known how to get down mountains . he wouldnt be sitting in prison .

 

Jake works fine, trucks been completely restored, fresh rebuilt c15, nice gorgeous looking and running flat top. But it's a cat, the jake's aren't anything like these new engines. When i use the 389 the jakes will hold at #### near any speed.

 

The CDL manual calls this "stab braking." Ideally for maintaining a controlled descent where you should have used one more downshift. OP is talking about recovering from too fast an approach.

IMO the latter is just short of an emergency stop. One time hard braking to slow to the correct speed right effing now, then downshift to hold it with the engine. Properly maintained brakes should be able to handle 2-3 fully loaded stops downhill before fading out. Do it once, and they should be room temp by the time you get to the bottom since they shouldn't be getting used at all after the downshift.

 

As far not knowing a grade is coming up on an unfamiliar road, my GPS has an elevation function. (Garmin OTR)

it is helpful IMO

 

Mine actually warns you, too. It's the Garmin readily available at the TS. A GPS and a CB are two must have items for a driver.

 

Agreed, this one warns also. I’ll use that elevation function sometime to get the overall picture

 

if you can't keep your shoes making contact with the drums. You need to park that truck and go home. And never drive a truck again.