Do Any Experienced Drivers Here Use Jakes In The Snow?

Topic 16810 | Page 1

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Pianoman's Comment
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My trainer last year did nothing but round trips from Salt Lake to Denver and had been on that route for 3 or 4 years. He never shut down for weather, even when it was snowing and we had to chain up. We took 80 if it was open and not too windy, 70 if 80 was closed. And he used the jakes on those grades on 70. Mind you, he didn't slam it into the high setting and just hope for the best. He controlled his speed using the brakes and the jakes and kept it slow. We were also fully loaded to 80k most of the time.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

murderspolywog's Comment
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It really depends what the conditions are. I use them most of the time in the snow, going down hill. It all has to do with what kind of traction I have. Is there ice under the snow, am I wearing chains. What state I am in. Its not a hard yes or no answer, it really depends.

G-Town's Comment
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Paul my answer is consistent with MPW.

It depends. I have used the Jake in the snow but only on low, under a load and during a "controlled" service brake application.

Errol V.'s Comment
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I haven't driven 18 wheels in snow very much. My comments come from the physics of the situation. (Being an ex-science teacher I think like that.)

On dry roads, you can use engine retarders for braking. But my rule for slick conditions is still brakes, including Jakes, are not your friend. Suppose you are at the start of a downhill section. Your best bet is to start out going as slow or slower than you can stand. Gravity will do it's job. This is the time to start the Jakes - to help keep from going faster, never, like in death-threat never, to slow down.

Wheel brakes are the strongest accelerator (careful - a science term* here) on your truck. If you push the brake pedal just a bit too much or the Jakes come on too strong, you start a skid, and that is almost impossible to recover from. So it's best to focus on not going faster, rather than trying to slow down.

* Acceleration means change in speed or direction, including slowing down, not just to go faster.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Pianoman's Comment
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Thanks, appreciate the input!

murderspolywog's Comment
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I would not say a skid is almost impossible to recover from. It just takes not panicking, and ample road. A skid is started because of a loss of traction so the trick is to get the traction back. You can skid, stepping on the throttle, trying to climb a hill, if this happens just let off the throttle, and shift gears to turn your tires slower, just don't stall. You can skid applying to much brake or Jake's coming on. If this happens you need to get your tires turning agen. Get off the brake or turn the Jake's off, or you can clutch in. This is why it's so important to have equal amounts of weight on drives and trailer, as well as properly adjusted brakes. Dont panic is the best advice. And clean the seat out when your done.

Errol V.'s Comment
member avatar

Murderspolywog you are right. My point is try not to skid of you can - don't dance too close to the edge, metaphorically.

But, sure, once the tires lose traction, work to get the tires rolling again. (Be sure to point the steers in the direction you are already going, to get traction, not in the way you want to go.)

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