Smokey mountains

Don't be taking your truck on there. They say no trucks for a reason. You'll get a nice hair cut

 

The eastern hills were good ground to learn in winter ice so that when I did get out west that was not a problem.

US 33 west of Harrisonburg would be about 10% more or less that does not quit for quite a ways with a couple of kinks in it that might not be long enough for your 53 foot.

Luray was quite a pull to and from I-81 in the west. Maybe 13% in spots? It's been a very long time.

In railroad terms there is the Saluda which would be the steepest up and over and down for railroading not specifically built for mountain logging as in Cass with 12%

If you have a good truck and not some kind of overcooked tired fleet marshmellow you can handle any hill that they paved for us. IF They can pave it, you can run it.

Most of the time.

I-70 west of Denver and Donner plus the Sisters and Cabbage would be the Graduation Hills out west. And any number of others.

We had I think last year a video from one of our Members running along north towards I-70 in Colorado as the crow flies and the drop to the river was some pretty country.

A wonderful place to die is said of that one. Shrugs.

I even have a couple of videos somewhere in my archives from Europe where a German Cabover heavy and wide negotiated some mountain routes in really vicious winter in Bavaria which when you first see it, it's not exactly good risk for trucks traction wise. You needed a local who was born and raised there for that type for running it.

 

I’ll take your “mountains “ over those hills. If all you have ever experienced is interstate out east then you haven’t really experienced those “hills”.

 

Where exactly is that?

 

I have told this story several times. I actually witnessed a driver lose his life going south on I 26 coming off Saluda. When the driver passed me he was going very fast and several wheels were on fire. The only difference between the west coast and the east coast when it comes to these grades is the length. All the rules apply I don't care where you are. Take these mtn grades with care and due diligence. Otherwise, some LEO might well be knocking on your next of kins door to inform them of your death!

 

Arizona has some serious grades, people think it’s all flat. Running mine loads, 17 % grades out on state highways is normal. Long ones, miles. Same for areas of New Mexico. 80k gets up some speed real quick on them.

 

Okay, confession time. Before I started trucking I had never been to Pennsylvania. It literally surprised me at first how Mountainous Pennsylvania is. For some reason I had the impression it was mostly flat. Lol!

 

Just be careful, take your time going down when heavy, in no time you’ll be a Pro. Don’t ride the brakes. I don’t care what they say about new braking techniques. They get hot and fade, then hotter catch on fire. Just take it slow, you’ll be fine.

 

Yes which road is this. Been driving out here for years don't recall any road that steep

 

I have made the mistake,more than a few times in Pa. trying to save toll money. Finally learned my lesson. One road that comes to mind is hwy 30 east out of Breezewood. Took it once, got to the top it was snowing, had coal dust everywhere, Now it’s posted “No Trucks”. Too many of what I call Pennsylvania adventures, Once took a dirt road to Manheim in a 36” snow blizzard with bald re caps and a light load. That State has roads made for model T s. going places not safe in a car, always an Adventure, Lol