"Out west"

Good to see you're still out there Mr. Moore. Happy trails to you mon! One of your RDTC commrades is happy you are doing well. Don't forget to let me know if you are coming through SE PA.

 

I have a question CMoore --- could that student FEEL anything when the engine brake was engaged? They say silence is golden, but an engine brake that doesn't hold the Big truck back is worthless.

Other than the engine brake, how do you like that Mercedes engine? Which transmission is behind the engine? How's the fuel economy?

 

i used to run over 4th of july & snoqualmie pass all the time on my way out to eastern wa / idaho / montana ... stevens pass too in the wa cascades is no treat regardless of the year. neither is 97 from ellensburg to wenantchee. want a really bad one year round (well apr - oct .. it's closed the rest of the year), i believe it's 12 over chinook pass from naches to auburn. so if these are bad, i can only imagine what the rockies have to offer.

 

There are 3 passes not mentioned here that are a pain in the winter as well,, whitebird between Riggins Idaho and Graingville and then lewiston hill, both 6 to 7 percent grades, almost 8 at times, real fun, not, if you get there before the sand trucks you better have chains on for sure. then there is minam pass from Elgin oregon going towards Joseph oregon. the first time i went down minam was in the spring open road but windey and twisty, that winter a cattle truck went off the top, driver escaped pior to truck going over, its 6 miles straight down from the top over the side. they used a crane to pick up the truck and trailer which was accordianed then used shovels to pick up what was left of the cattle. I have been over donner pass in the winter and yes you do put chains on or you wont be going anywhere, this last winter i was going over donner in a windy snow storm with low visibility, another truck came flying past me must have been doing 60 with chains on, i was doing like 25 and he passed and in no time he was gone, he was at the bottom by time i got to bare road. Crazy, so yes newbies listen to well seasoned truckers when they tell you how to get over mountain passes or risk losing it all together.

 

When I get back 0out there and it starts snowing I will be like you slow and steady.
I have read if you only do 25-30 in bad weather you will have better traction.
I prefer to live longer than the super truckers out there.

 

I am still driving the coach when they need me. Real estate is picking up again, so I am concentrating on that. Looks like they are keeping you busy.