Getting used to it

I'm still a rookie myself but the best advice I was given about mountain driving is you get as many tries as you want to go down too slow but only one attempt at going too fast. I was lucky, got to run a good amount of the mountains out west with my trainer so they don't bother me, I kinda like them, like another said, keeps you alert.

 

you will be ready for the heavy loads in no time just remember ur lucky to have started with light loads the first load i ever pulled was 68,000 in the box were permitted for 100k gross now i can easily handle 78k in the box like its nothing i actually prefer it...you be fine just take it slow dont push urself

 

Shimmymama, one thing to keep in mind is that those trucks are designed to pull heavy loads and actually handle better when they are loaded then when they are empty.

 

I am still a student driver and cannot imagine going down a mountain with a load.... even in my car that was a task but a loaded truck??? My school races through everything so I am sure I will not get used to it until I am driving for a company.

 

Just did my first mountain decent yesterday..Monteagle TN, with 44195a in the box. Without the jake..it was actually fun! My trainer is awesome did some others but with less than 26000 they didn't count in my training log, but he made me do them like I had a full load...

 

The first couple of times coming down a big hill like Donner or Siskyou or Cajon can be a little nerve wracking, But if you're doing it right the brake pedal doesn't even get touched. Some of the bigger ones require trucks at 45 or even 35 mph so you're well under control. If you find yourself going down a hill where the gear you're in isn't holding you back even with the jake on full blast, all you need to do is get on the brakes hard one time to get it down to to 1000 rpms, blip the throttle up to 1500-1600 rpm and drop it into the next lowest gear, which should more than hold you. Very little to it once you break the bad car driving habit of riding the brake pedal down the hill.

 

Just remember to stay focused. Watch out for distractions i.e. phone. radio ect... when u get in a tight spot or you made a wrong turn or got bad directions, stop and take a deep breath and focus on what u r doing that when most accidents happen when you are excited by the situation u r in.. your clean record is your livelyhood always be alert and focussed and u will be fine..Good Luck!!

 

A note about hills. PA has some steep ones. The patp isnt too bad but us30, us40 and the state roads have some doosies. I was on one back road around reading, 13%- 10mph. Take them nice and easy any you wont have any problems.