down shifting on a downgrade

Experience counts big time.....

Now for the rest of the story.....

I realized going any farther was going to get me in a place I didn't want to be.....so I kept dropping gears until I was able hard brake to a crawl on the shoulder. The brakes were so hot when I yanked the red and yellow knobs (released the brakes), the truck kept rolling....Whooa ! I put the truck in gear....engine off.....still rolling......lastly, jammed the tyranny in reverse.....and released the clutch. Finally, the truck stopped dead, no brakes ....I let the brakes cool off before proceeding.

Have a nice trip!

 

My trial by fire was on us 441 near Franklin NC. I was young and hard headed would not listen to more experienced drivers. I came close to losing my life that day. I was heavy, I downshifted incorrectly and could not get truck back in gear. I lost my brakes. Thankfully I got to level road but my speedometer was pegged. Somehow I kept from hitting anybody before I slowed enough to get the dang thing back in gear and my Jake slowed me. I shook uncontrollably for an hour afterward.

 

Given this topic I thought this story might prove interesting.



http://www.jacobsvehiclesystems.com/about-us/history/

 

My first time was Monteagle on I-24. Fortunately my trainer was a 10-year vet and talked me through the whole thing. Got down the entire grade without even touching my brakes, and never got out of control. Glad I didn't have to do that myself, having an experienced hand to teach me the right way and saving me from a horror story.

 

Not meaning to hijack this. But I have heard that there are places all across the country where there are remains of trucks. I have been told there are several on Interstate 40 in the NC gorge and on the Pennsylvania turnpike. My understanding is this is so because its prohibitively expensive to remove them.

 

Had one of those "oh crap" experiences on Thursday in Alberta. Tooling along, and all of a sudden the road drops away without a big sign that says "slow down, stupid". Well into the grade it said "85km/h". Thanks a lot, eh? Let's just say i came out in fourth gear at 86,000....

Even after downshifting two gears, the brakes were pretty hot by the time I got to the bottom. Would have been a crazy wild ride without downshifing.

 

It all comes down to being able to walk and chew gum at the same time.

 

You had better know how to shift going downhill or you can just hold on and pray! Is nothing to it stomp the brake, rev the RPMs, drop two gears, wallah!!!

I've Always thought it was dangerous and irresponsible to tell people you should never shift downhill when the other option is to just hold on and pray.

 

If You need that, you should not be driving a truck imo. it's not that complicated and does not require commentary driving.

 

While you still have brakes...

(Excellent suggestions, btw)

In you current gear, say 7th. Scrub off enough speed to drop your rpms to about 1100. If you have a 13 or 18, drop1 full gear, all stick, no splitter. Blip the throttle til the Rpms hit 1700. Overkill. The rpms will have to drop down, to get into gear, but you won't miss. Well, you shouldn't. You will feel the gears spin slower and stop. Shove her in gear and off the pedal so the jake will take over.