How much braking is too much

You shouldn't have to use your service brake when descending a grade if you set things up properly. Which means slowing to the correct speed for the grade and the weight of the truck. Slow to a speed that you can maintain with the engine brake on the highest setting. As the grade changes, turn on your engine fan manually to slow down, or select a lower engine brake setting to increase speed.

 

Its gonna depend on weight,and how your loaded,and
what kind of grade your going down.
Of course always do what feels safe for you,but you
don't want to cook your brakes.
Focus on the stab braking,and release.If you ever are
in a situation where the brakes are smoking bad,and you
make it to the bottom,keep going til brakes cool off.
I've witnessed first hand drivers pulling over at the bottom,
and getting brake fires.If you can ride it out,and let em cool
off you will avoid burning it down.
As the old saying goes You will only go down a mtn. too fast once.

 

10 seconds is way too often! 30 would be a minimum time, you want the engine doing most of the braking, and the brakes only providing a snub to maintain speed.

 

You shouldnt have to use your brakes if you're light.. Be in the correct gear, with the Jake brake on and that should be more than enough.

I barely press the brakes down hill, even fully loaded on a 2mile 6% grade for example. I just let the truck go. I maybe press the service brakes onces, if that.

All depends on what you feel comfortable with. You should be using the service brakes the least amount possible.

 

That's a dang good Mark Twain quote.That should be on a t-shirt