Steep downgrades

If in doubt go slower than the slowest truck. Recognize that local trucks (day cabs or locally based trucks) might be familiar & able to anticipate the road better than OTR mega trucks on this ground for first time. They could be lighter than you, know what's around the next corner before they see it. Don't try to keep up with everyone unless ypu want tp wind up on YouTube in a 80 vehicle pile up.

 

I like to stop at the summit.
Then I just let er roll in neutral (Georgia overdrive) using gravity and saving fuel.
As I build speed I'll probably throw on the 4-ways and begin to use the entire roadbed to reduce the radius of each corner.
Depending on grade and length I may need to slow er down by rubbing her sides on the mountain.
If need be I will alternate between pulling my trolly and my air horn but most times the rubber and brake smoke signal my pending arrival to the bottom, then after blazing past the sand traps and most of the obstacles have been negotiated I drop er into the big hole till the next one.



J/K driver..follow the legit advice provided.

 

You might watch the OP video and read through this thread.

Driving down steep grades in icy conditions

Using Jakes on snow or ice is possible. Never use the high setting. Always start with the low setting and work up to medium. Best on a slick downgrade to maintain steady light brake pressure and be ready in an instant to get off the brakes and Jake for a second or two to regain control if you start to slide. Then reapply light brakes to bring it back to controllable speed.

Pay attention to banking in the road. You will slide sideways if you go too slow and if you have room move to the high side of the road.

 

East West it doesn't really matter. I know I've been in both places and I'll take a short steep grades over the long ones any day. It just makes sense where out west you have the the newer mountains and back east you have the older mountains that are just no comparing the two. The main point here is to take it slow and know your truck before you get into nasty situations.

 

Yup, because the 10' wide lane with no shoulder and oncoming traffic close enough you could high-five a truck going the other way if'n you both reached out your windows as you wind your way down a mile long 13% grade with a 45 degree bend at the bottom where it crosses a creek and a railroad track before heading back up a 3/4 mile 13% grade is MUCH less demanding of your attention than the 10 mile long 6% grade with multiple 14' lanes, a wide shoulder, and a handful of runaway truck ramps along the way. Sure, you're not as likely to smoke your brakes on the shorter, steeper grades...but if you aren't on top of your game there is much less room for error. I've run across some mountain passes on the 2-lanes out west, too, and the one's I've seen aren't nearly as demanding as the roads I run around here.

 

I'm sure there's just as bad out west and east. I'm also sure you can find any bad grade if you look hard enough.

 

Out west - lots of long and steep grades. Lots of snow, especially on the higher passes. Lots of equipment and knowledge how to deal with snow. Most locals know how to deal with it.

Out east, (especially Southeast) - a few short, steep grades. Occasional snow, occasional ice. Zero equipment and zero knowledge how to deal with it. Locals are out of control on it.

I prefer driving west in winters, by far.

 

Not. Sideways. Thats. Bad.

 

Good stuff