This is how you go down the Cabbage!

By the way, I've seen guys go slower than 30 on Monteagle. And that's nothing compared to Cabbage.

 

I edited that . Not really what I wanted to say, but I had people talking to me and got side tracked on what I was typing.

I wanted to say " could have been " if say someone was coming down faster, especially if he didnt have his flashers on.

I kinda sounded like a jerk , and didnt want to...

Sorry ...

 

While I dont disagree with your agenda,.. I do have issue with your premise that your way is the only proper way.

If I've got barely 15k on my bed and my jake holds me in gear at 45 - 50 mph,.. I'm going down the cabbage at 45 - 50 mph.The only thing that will cause me to go slower would be weather and road conditions. I dont fool around with fog and or snow and ice. But under ideal conditions. I roll at my comfort level.

I've traveled the cabbage at least 50 - 60 times. Each time was different. I see guys going down 25 - 30 mph with their flashers on. To me they are going down at their comfort level. I've been the guy with an over size load pushing 80k gross gong down at 30 - 35 mph. But to claim your way is the absolute proper way,.. I cant agree with that.

To extend my argument, 2 years ago the Donner was snowed over from just passed the scale coming from Reno side, to almost the bottom of the hill to Sacramento. I was pulling a reefer scaled at 79k, max chain up, 13spd, I went from where chain up was all the way across never got out of 4th gear. I had guys on the CB getting impatient, telling me to speed up, calling me a rookie etc etc. I got back on the radio and told em,.. there is another lane over on the left. If your in that much of a hurry, go use it. But if you hit me I'll be the first one to lawyer up. 2.5 hours later,.. no one passed until it finally turned to slush and asphalt was visible. We all made it safely across. Was I wrong,.. I dont think so. But everyone has their own comfort level under different conditions.

Hurst

 

Ok,.. but I ask you. Do you think my way is not proper?

I may do 45 - 50 from time to time. But I will slow for the blind curves and I dont blast by the guys going slower as you never know,.. I had a guy whip over in front of me once. Not sure if he was frustrated at the guy going slower in front or at me going faster from behind. Either way,.. I maintained control and barely got on the brake to avoid running into the back of him.

There is more than one way to skin a cat.

Hurst

 

My final day of mtn driving in school, was so foggy, visibility was the hood ornament, instructor and I both had our noses glued to the windshield, other two trainees were asleep in the sleeper chairs. Never exceeded 10 mph for 15 miles, as soon as we were clear, he had me stop. We both got out to calm our nerves, he smoked a cig. and we both wished for a shot of whiskey, and watched the parade of 4 wheelers go by. Two other trucks came through 30 minutes later, not a single hint of fog.

 

It is possible to descend long steep grades @ 40T with out using your brakes @ +45mph. A combination of exhaust brake and retarder.

 

I go down the a hill at the speed I am most comfortable in, but I will not exceed the limit, it's there for reason. In the last few years I've decided my CDL is too important, as is life (mine and others). Found out Thursday, friend who does food service lost his brother in Montana last month. Flatbedder going too fast rounded a down hill curve on a two lane half in the other lane, couldn't stop or move over, ran him off the road. Rolled his pickup and ATV trailer down a hillside, he was killed, his two boys critically injured. I'm kinda to the point of being done playing with others.

 

Right here. The ONLY RIGHT WAY is the way you're comfortable with. You guys can argue until you're blue in the face. You have 80,000 pounds pushing you down a grade. You know what you're comfortable with. You know what you're doing. Great post again Striker.