Less than a week training headed to the Rockies

It's risky, boss. You just gotta figure out if your potential reward exceeds the risk, it's different for everybody. If you ask me if I would do it, sure, but then again, only you can figure that out for yourself. The real truth is, you are not ready for this, you just gotta figure out if you're brave enough to try.

 

Just keep it in a low gear going downhill with the jake brake on and you'll be okay.

 

Go for it man. With less than 500mi under my belt i was working for a food service company, got stuck with a trainer with less than a year exp and hit down town Brooklyn and queens with a 48 and a condo. I came out fine. Just watch your speed on those hills and don't smoke the brakes

 

If you have a 14' trailer, you'll have to take Loveland Pass. Just watch your trailer's tracking around the curves and you'll do fine. No matter which route you take, just follow the signs for truck speed limit and steep downgrade ahead. Keep an eye out for road damage at the bottom of one of the downgrades in the right lane on I-70.

 

Just downshift to like 6th or 7th gear and put your four ways on. You'll be fine. Almost a year in there are still grades that I just don't feel comfortable on. One of them you'll be going down if you're heading west and that's Eisenhower. Don't play games up there. It's very steep, very deceptively long. Unless I'm empty, I don't take it above 8th gear. When you come out of the tunnel, out your four ways on and immediately start downshifting. Pull over to the shoulder and come to a complete stop if necessary and get into a low gear. No shame in taking your time. NONE.

Before that there are some decent grades, but not any that are too serious that a new driver can't handle them if they take their time.

 

His boss won't be in the truck with him. How fast a beginner and a seasoned driver should be taking those grades should be the same. Slow and steady. But how many seasoned drivers do you know that take those grades slow and steady?

 

You really want to let the engine brake hold you while your going down the big hills because they are so long. If you find you are needing to use the break pedal often to maintain speed then it's time to downshift before the brakes start to fade. Your probably looking at dropping 3 gears or more depending on how the truck is setup.

I-70 has truck speed limits going down the hill that are rather conservative for modern trucks, trucks with engine brakes, you will be fine.

People that get into trouble are people that think they can just use the service brakes to go down the hill like they do in Pennsylvania.

Maybe you'll want to go slower than your boss, don't worry about it. You'll find your legs in due time, just let him know your not familiar with the area and want to make sure you are around to do it again. This is a good opertunity to find out what kind of person you will be working for.

You are smart enough to ask for advice, I don't think you'll have much to worry about. Take it easy and enjoy the scenery.