Hostile Highways

I know that Monte Eagle is on I 24 & has a mandatory brake check pull off and is not that bad to me, but is very steep and I use 9th and Jake to decend going down. Usually only have to hit brakes if a slower truck is ahead or I have a heavier load. The speed limit is varied for different weights but none above 35 MPH, its location is almost in Chattanooga Tn, and Jellico Mountain is just a I hate, it is on I 75 just out of Kentucky and entering Tennessee and is usually under construction and down to one lane, you cant play the hills because of the construction speed of 45 MPH and everytime I have traveled it there has been a incident it seems, once a construction barrel blew in front of me and I hit it, once a sign blew out and hit my mirror. I just dont like it. Happy Traveling.

 

You guys are talking about grades, the east coast and the use of jake brakes.....
I can't say I recall much of the ones on the east coast, though scarey they are. But in traveling to the west coast running along with others going to the same place in San Fran - these drivers would take a left and go south off of 80 - go 500 miles out of there way to avoid Donnars Pass. Even though they had a jake brake.
I was taught this way. If you go up in 10 gear you should go down in 9th gear, using the 3 stage, works great. Never ever touch the brake pedal. You don't get to the bottom very fast but you don't go out of your way 500 miles either, which takes a heck of alot longer.
Anyone else ever use that system? Or heard of the rule?

 

That is what I was taught, you go down a gear when going down hill.

 

And I as well.

 

anyone go into winona minnesota us hw 14 is a nasty hill full of corners and a steep grade down the side of a bluf

 

Any pass for Rookies or Experenced Drivers, they should be treated with respect for what They are be it Winter, Summer or any time of the Season .many Driver make the mistake of not giving Moutain Passes there just due .So go slow, take you time, check you Truck, spotting trouble early is the key to staying alive and KNOW YOUR LIMATATIONS, if you don't know how to drive the Passes for God shake ask Someone to show you how to Chain or when it time to just seat still and waite it out so You can chase the Sun another Day.

 

Mr. Brown:

Your advice is much appreciated from us newbie drivers; were always seeking knowledge from experiened OTR'ers.

Thank you.

Semper Fi

 

Has anyone traveled the fairly new stretch of I-26 between Ashville NC and I-81 in TN. I run it one time whith a pickup hauling a car. Being a newbie, I've not had the luck to in a big truck yet but it seemed to be pretty high in elevation and lots of long upgrades and downgrades. I don't remember any run off ramps, so I'm not sure on percent of grades. I'm going to say that with elevation, it's going to be pretty treturous in the snow.

I also got the joy to run that I-68 in Maryland all the way to Morgantown last January. I will never forget it. Again I was in my pickup (desiel) hauling a car on my 18 foot trailer. I just got on I-68 from the split off I-70. About 30 miles down my truck lost power, blue smoke and all. It was -17 degrees and after 7pm on a Saturday. I wasn't sure what was wrong but, but I drained the water from the fuel and the power came back. So I continued truckin. It started snowing hard and fast. Again, I loose power. I managed to make it to the pull off for trucks (I'm sure you guys know where it's at). Draining any water didn't help that time. I kept going through the snow at 20mph all the way to Morgantown. I saw NOBODY the whole way. Those hills are pretty scary if your inexperianced like me and really I don't think I will take them in bad weather any more.