No jakes, how to slow down on hills?

My buddy who used ro drive cabovers for J.B. Hunt said they never had Jake's on their Internationals. Said brakes were cheaper than engines?

2000rpms is not bad for an accelerating engine yet going downhill l would guess the drivetrain/driveshaft etc is really stressed. Just get the brakes checked and use em while trying to not go down the hill any faster than you went up l have always heard

 

Anything running over 1800rpm is no good idea.. install jakes and be happy?

 

Yeah, thing to remember is it takes more energy to slow a rig down 5mph when it is going faster. The brake energy basically generates heat in the brakes and that is what you have to manage. Getting the brakes too hot is the number one thing you have to avoid. So, best thing to do is ensure you aren't going too fast down a grade. And, that speed also has alot to domwith how heavy you are. If you're lighter, it is safe to proceed down a grade at a faster pace. But, if you're heavy, you have to slow down alot more.
Although I have engine brakes, I usually run fairly heavy and drive in the West with some fairly steep and long grades. Pretty common, even with engine brakes, that other rigs pass me as I'm creeping down a grade. I figure they are simply either lighter than me or more dare devil than I am. Either way, I only go down a grade at a speed I'm comfortable with. What speed that is depends on my load and the length and steepness of the grade. I've also been known to proceed down a grade at one speed, get about halfway down, worry I may be heating up my brakes too much and then slow down by another 5, 10, 15 or 20 mph. All depends on the situation.
If you're inexperienced with all this, better to go too slow than too fast. In time, at least for me, it becomes more intuitive in what you feel is a safe speed and what is too fast.
Overall though, it is far better to go too slow down a grade than too fast! One may make you a nuisance to others and take alittle more time, but, the other can create fatal complications.

 

Start at the top of the hill in a lower gear. You'll have to go slower, no other choice.

2000 RPM is no big deal. If you look at the ID tag on the engine it'll tell you the governed RPM. Its usually around 2100 RPM on most large engines. If you're not exceeding the manufacturer's rating you're fine.

 

My secret technique is to cover my eyes and emit a high-pitched scream like a little girl. Seems to work okay.

 

Till it doesn't!!!

 

Done it all the time running down from the rock quarry. Jake breaks dont work below 5th gear on my truck. Run down in 3rd and work the brakes. If u have a brake application psi gauge on ur truck. Keep it under 10 psi and find a gear you can maintain speed at. Can run down those hills like that all day long without burning the brakes up

 

Didn't any of you read your cdl manual?

Set a target speed, when you are 5mph over that speed hit the brakes until you are 5mph under your target. Rinse and repeat.
Don't ride your brakes for long times and 2000 rpm no problem