Just some questions came up after the I70 crash in CO.

I have been running my log truck for over a year, and have not hauled a load in my road truck. The log truck has a b model, so I have to turn the jakes of when parked. I never turn them off in my road truck. I took my first load to prudhoe last week and came back a few miles to a pullout to sleep. It was 12 degrees, so I idled it up with the cruise.
After I left my jake didn't work on the first grade I came to, my first thought was, this is going to be a long ride home without a jake. I then remembered that it will not come on with the cruise switch in the on position, unless you hit the brake. lol

 

I remember when the CDL began. Said more testing and safer drivers..well I was grandfathered in I had a class 3 license(that is a Pa. license). Also must know and comprehend english. About the only thing the CDL has accomplished is raising the price. $$. Oh, and my old drivers license was not laminated with all the fancy embossed secret state insignias and my picture. All that is nice though. Just doesn't make a "real" truck driver. Real trk drivers are becoming fewer and farther between.

 

Best to get it (the truck) all slowed down before starting down the steep part. When the engine brake is on and its holding back real well..just stay in that gear. Steep grades can be deceptive. Especially if not familiar with the grade. Shoving in the clutch at that point it will take off on you. This is just a general theory, weight and experience play a part also. Hope that kinda answers your question. I am sure someone else can explain it better. Or mayby already has. This works for me.

 

$$$$$$$$.

 

Dang cheap (plastic switches?).

 

Investigators must have found evidence of driver negligence.
Truck driver in deadly Colorado crash charged, faces possibility of decades in prison

 

I thought they were plastic but nope. Some kind of metal. 1998 T800. They dinged me about $50 US for one switch

 

"The DA said Friday that the semi-truck was completely destroyed, making a mechanical inspection impossible. "There will be other means by which hopefully we can determine whether or not brakes were a cause of the accident, or some other cause,"

Sounds like the DA is claiming that he was speeding and didn't try to brake? Driver claims his brakes failed. Defense will bring in some brake experts to list the ways this could have happened. I doubt if eye witness testimony will refute brake experts. Mona Lisa Vito, please take the stand.

 

I don't buy that "can't do an inspection", brake linings don't burn up in an accident, and heat cracks in the drums will tell if the brakes were overheated and not from a fire. Sounds like this will drag on for months, making lawyers even richer. Bet that kid didn't plan on any of this when he went to work that day. Changed a lot of lives that day.