Fired for going 15 over on a 6% grade.

Never been down Grapevine, but as far as Mont Eagle goes, it's only about 3 miles at the most. And if you calculate the difference between going 45 versus 60 on 3 miles you'll understand that it's stupid.
And at the bottom, there's a pretty (not gnarly) but pretty decent right curve that you really don't need to be going real fast into.
Like I said, there's a reason why it's 45

 

Thought if was illegal for Police to run radar traps at the bottom of a steep incline? Unless you can prove you had issues with your brakes that's going to a tough one to get out of though. Bottom line is the speed limit is the limit, unfortunately not a lot of police give much discretion as to what happens to a loaded truck down a steep incline, some will and some won't but 15 mph over probably was over his tolerance level, maybe he would of not stopped you if it was less than 10 over. Hope you can find another job.

 

Opus,
Didn't have ramps when Frank Ashcraft and I bailed off it in the middle 50's. Nor was it 4 lane divided.
Nor did it have the Brake Check parking either. It was a GREAT respect teacher for Tehachapi and Grants Pass in snow in 58 tho.

JolliRoger, Mar 7, 2021Report
#67954+ QuoteReply

 

I agree, the Grapevine is a pita. It's also a huge revenue source for the CHP. It's not likely to change any time soon and a few extra minutes to get down the hill isn't really a big deal.

 

@JolliRoger
My first truck hated the jake.....it was the first generation of the Cascadias. So I never used it.
I learned how to go down big hills that way. Start slow, let it rev up to about 55, brake it down to less than 45, rinse and repeat.
Never had a problem, never burned up my brakes.
It was old school stuff.
Never went down Mont Eagle with a Jake. Never got scared.
Once again, it isn't hard if you're paying attention.

Just about everyone else does the same. Sometimes you smell burning brakes, but most of the time it's no big deal.

 

Good company.

 

A little on my history with Mont Eagle...
↑
We were North of the peak at a spot not so steep.
While you are correcting me even numbered interstates run East and West. How do we have a West side on an even numbered interstate?
All meant in good fun. Glad you made it down OK. I have no experience trucking in the fifties but a question. Is the area you went for a ride not where there was a run away truck ramp on the opposite side of the road. That may have been years later. Would be great to add to the excitement by crossing traffic in order to hit a ramp.

You were referring to the old road as the West side. The old road is all I know of going down in a truck. Have come up it a few times on the interstate in a car.
Quite a difference. Somewhere back in here is a post of the detail of that travel. Basically it was a 3 lane, no run outs, and quite kinky. Sign at top said trucks shift to lower gear. Only instructions.. Frank Ashcraft and I baled off in L195 IH's with tarped flatbeds of 70 bales of cotton (at least 70x 500/35,000) in straight 5 speed, 5th OD. So we downshifted to 4th (D) and toddled off. Way down, we came upon a slow moving vehicle and due to circumstances at that exact time, I past him on the left (upcoming thru lane) and Frank past about the same time in the (upcoming truck lane) little crowded there right then.We trailed white smoke on down to the then pull off before the river bridge. That is where the knowledgeable driver stopped to re adjust their brakes after a "controlled" decent.
(I drove cattle haul in 52-53m junior/senior year high school on weekends. Went to work in 53 after graduated. Was running CA in 57 when the first part of an interstate I had driven was being built in NM. o interstates in TN then)

 

Am I the only one here who wonders how a trooper was able to "conduct an inspection" at 60 MPH?

 

That you can beat.

FMCSA regs 393.83 - 5 mph ± at 50 mph, which is a 10% tolerance, so it was an easy win for you. Michigan regulations also reflect that for cars and other vehicles.

What these cops do is to get you in a mindset so as not to fight the ticket, making it easy for them to get the money.

 

Great minds run in the same channels...You and I are like RR tracks, side by side on this. Since my days were way back when, and no DOT to inspect, ELD to keep time, and only ICC to "avoid" when hauling something I shouldn't have been. ICC set ups would wave bull hauler's on by, and most grain job/flatbed that appeared to be exempt agricultural loads.
Did the man clock him coming down, lock in the radar then "inspect" him while pulled over. Or; sitting halfway down, say.. I'll inspect him. Then proceed to tack on the speed. I have no idea what an inspection check sheet consists of. But assuming the truck is still; while you examine it, plays hell with the block saying "Speed was". Would appreciate some light on how this works....