will be on my own next week

The first couple of times you'll need to go slower than you might want to. If you think I outta be in 8th go to 7th, set the jake (unless it's snowing), turn off the CB and take your time. Now one can tell you to be in this gear and this time. The conditions play a major role. Just do it in your time, your way.

Rule #1 for any new driver: Don't worry so much about what other drivers say.

 

You go down any mountain in one gear LOWER then what you used to climb up it. If the truck has an engine brake (jake brake), make sure that is turned on as well. Use proper braking technique as well.

Your first few times going down any mountain, you will most likely have the a/c turned on and the windows rolled down. It is normal to be a bit nervous.

what gear you would use to climb a mountain? I cannot tell you, that is something you will have to learn from the seat of your pants. You DO NOT want to lug that engine down to a point of stalling.

 

you need to be slowed down before you start down, or you won't be able to get down to the gear you need to be in. Don't worry about anybody else, just get in the granny lane. Other trucks will be slowing down also, just make sure you turn on your hazards, and slow down to where your comfortable. Over time youll learn how fast you can desend in any givin situation. Just remember, you can go down too slow as many times as you want or you can go down too fast once.
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Don't worry about traffic behind you. EVER.

 

great question and great advice,, when approaching a steep downgrade, look for signs indicating length and grade, also for truck run off ramps, shift into lower gear, {the same gear or a gear lower than you went up in} and use snub breaking all the way down, look for end of reduce gear signs than proceed to the posted speed limits.

like Allow Me said, here in pa. there are posted signs for a driver to actually pull over before going down..

best of luck..

 

The DMV manual says at least one gear lower than what you climbed in and also that you should determine a safe speed then brake until you are 5 miles below your safe speed let it come back up to safe speed and repeat.

 

Just like the guy training me just told me.. Don't EVER let anyone 4 wheeler or big truck dictate to you what's safe. If you feel safer going 15mph under the limit then do 15 under the limit you'll usually only get it wrong ONCE. Don't be harassed into going faster. He said a lot a quotes already posted above.

I love this forum, for us new guys it is a gold mine of information and advice.

 

Just take your time and turn ur cb off,dont be listenen those ### holes behing u,and use a confortable low gear and set ur jake brakes on and do not shift just stay on the same gear and enjoy ur ride,any more questions let me know i can help u,no problem.☺