Hills

Ok first time in the West. Utah, Montana, Idaho etc.

Didn't get any hands on training on hill descending. I know what the books say, go down a or 2 gear than you went up. I need to know real life examples.

Lets say I climbed a hill. Then I see the 6% downgrade sign. Speed limit still posted at 65 or 75. How should I attempt this safely and not burn engine up or brakes? Have a freightliner 10 speed.

If I stay in 10th gear, my weight pushes fast. I put engine brake on high but I still can get to 75mph if I let it. Then I stab break to 5mph less but in less than 20 sec I'm back too fast. Isn't that gonna burn brakes out if I'm braking every 10 sec or less??

I then tried on an other hill going down in 9th gear. Thought this was supposed to keep me from going 60mph...well I think it got up to 65mph, Rpms were screaming at 2000, engine brake was on high. Is this right to do? Didn't seem like it, but truck didn't blow up. Also I was worried if it had of kept me about 50-55mph, and speed limit is 65, would I be too slow for traffic?

There were no truck safe speeds posted in these instances...at least that would have game me something to aim for.

How the heck you do this when its snowing and training says not to use engine break in rain or snow?

My real concern is winter weather.

please any help much appreciated, please give examples. Thanks

 

[/QUOTE]Unfortunately, like with most trucking skills, the textbook goes out the window when you enter the real world.[/QUOTE]

So are you say we can use engine break when raining and snowing? If so can it be on high or has to be low?

Yes you did help with rpms and 15sec timing. I really appreciate it!

 

If no jake, then how can I possibly come down a hill 30, 40, 50mph without it? Even with 73k that is gonna push me so fast that ill be braking every 3-5 seconds!

 

Ok so I can understand, why in 9th gear was I still able to get as high as 65 and rpms @ 2000?

With 70k, and in lets say 7th gear, what's the max speed the truck will get up to...descending 6% ?