Going up and down a mountain questions

That's a good idea as they try to dummy proof trucks. They could use the technology of infrared thermometers.


But Dennis it does boil down to driver error and usually inexperience. They are either in the wrong gear or use improper braking techniques. Even if one had bad brakes it is still driver error as they are suppose to inspect their equipment. Many of your bigger mountains if you notice have a brake check area at the top. Runaways happen seldom but it does happen. I've only seen a half dozen cases myself in 15 years but I'm not always running mountains.

You'll get taught the proper methods and if you follow them you'll never have a problem. A mountain is no place to be a hotdog or have something to prove as one thinking the fastest down is the best driver. It's quite the opposite. You can go down a mountain 1000 times too slow. You only go down once too fast. There was a post recently a driver got fired for running down a hill doing 16 over and got caught. So you see mountains can cause more than one problem.

Popping out of gear is usually the result of a bent shifter fork and would be noticed beforehand. One could quickly recover if they know what they are doing.

 

Did someone seriously say if you can't descend a hill without touching the brake........ This post is about mountains, not bunny hills. Pick your gear and Jake all you want going down the mountain. While your at it tie the corners of your bed sheet to your stacks as a sail. Either way your accelerating like a Ferrari if you aren't on those brakes.

 

I was born and raised in east TN and I've been over Monteagle Mtn on I-24 more times than I can count, both as a driver and before. I've seen trucks hit the ramps twice and I've come by after the fact, with them still stuck in the sand a couple times too. And i cant tell you how many times I've seen trucks that probably should have used the ramp, flying thru there pouring smoke out of the brakes. It's very scary stuff and it instilled in me a great respect for mtn driving. Most truckers who lose their brakes are experienced drivers who are familiar with the road, they just get overconfident.

 

I'm still trying to UNpucker my b*** cheeks from 8 years ago going down Cabbage one time. Think my ego at the time still there freaking out. LOL

 

33 years of driving and I have never lost my brakes. I've had them smoking a few times diving off a hill to fast, stupid rookie mistake!!, but that was 30 plus years ago. And for those who think you have to use your brakes when loaded heavy, I run the NW, and can drop off just about any hill up here and never touch my brakes. It's called knowing your route, your truck, and paying attention to your speed. Start down in a gear the your jake will hold the truck at steady speed. 1 hill that comes to mind that will get people into a brake smoking cycle is " White Bird" on US 95 in Idaho. 7% at the top and then goes to 8% about half way down. Seems like it's 8 or 9 miles, could be wrong on that. I gross up to 105,500#, you just have to us your head.

 

there are very few reasons brakes can fail, #1 is driver error/ improper inspection. preventative maintenance is a great idea, you could get ice in your brake lines, but if you drain your tanks like you are supposed to, that is unlikely. can't think of any other reasons brakes would fail, if I am leaving out any causes of brake failure, please add to it.

 

Pointing me out?? Why? I was being silly on first message. What a brake temp guage going to do for ya if it's hot and going down a mountain and can't stop? All the mountains I been on I didn't see pull off areas as going down to pull over to cool them. Only pull off's I seen was runnaway ramps. So before you point me out STAFF make some sense. Have a wonderfull day.

 

Must have a crappy jake, maybe getting the overhead run would help!!

 

IMO and after 32 years of driving the PNW in 105,500# trucks (heck I can't remember the last time I drove a 18 wheeler) you can descend highway grades without brakes and just a Jake. You might only be going 12 mph with that Jake roaring but it can be done. I prefer a Jake and less than 5 psi app of brakes going off grades. If ya think I'm talking out my neck, I've made ALL the mistakes you can and a few more and live to tell about thank god) But you have to drive your own road.

 

Ive watched drivers overcook the brakes,and pull over too soon once at the bottom.That can cause a
nice little brake fire to deal with,along with poopie pants.Best to let em cool past smoking,or so Ive
been told.
I listen to the guys yelling at drivers for stopping too soon on the cb,and sure enough,poof brake fire.
I've seen a few bad ones.A JB Hunt driver put one waaaay down a mt.In fancy gap.
Theres been several up from where I live.Drivers have lost brakes coming down blood mt.and gone straight
into side of mt.
Last recent one..Driver makes it all the way down,through the good stuff,and loses it in a left hand sweeper
past turners corner,and puts truck on its side,and scattered load everywhere.
My very first load was through fancy gap.Some drivers never get any trainer time in mts.Kinda luck of the loads