Quick Question....Going Downhill ...

Rainy, I do Monteagle every week unfortunately for home time lol. I'm always heavy. My Jakes are very weak I believe. Have to use the breaks several times to get down. I usually do the 1st half at 35mph then the last few turns I'm at 45 or 50 as long as it's clear ahead anyway. I've gone around a few trucks but I never smoke my breaks

Doesn't Monteagle have speed limits according to weight at the top of the inspection station? I think its only southbound though.

As far as VA....I just drove up 81 into PA. I was pretty light which makes a difference but there was only two spots where I downshifted. The rest was cruise control and Jakes.

SB over Monteagle does have a speed limit based on weight. I haven't had the pleasure of going over it heading north yet.

Farmer Bob wrote:

Freightliners tend to be on the low side of engine power, so you will likely use more brakes than a Kenworth driver.

I disagree, the level of engine torque and power is not inherent to a specific truck manufacturer. You can have the same Cummins or Detroit power plant in a Cascadia as in a KW, as in a Pete, etc. Makes no difference and is more about how each truck is spec'd out by the company purchasing it.

Then I will correct myself, and add that my experience is based on how Stevens Transport trucks are configured.

Also realize same year truck, same engine, same transmission, similar mileage can have dramatically different performance.

I am no wrench but with all of the chips and electronics, adjustment possibilities must be infinite, and mistakes likely do occur. I was in a truck last week that couldn't get out of its own way...this week; Cascadia with same engine & transmission had plenty of power.

Farmer Bob wrote:

Freightliners tend to be on the low side of engine power, so you will likely use more brakes than a Kenworth driver.

I disagree, the level of engine torque and power is not inherent to a specific truck manufacturer. You can have the same Cummins or Detroit power plant in a Cascadia as in a KW, as in a Pete, etc. Makes no difference and is more about how each truck is spec'd out by the company purchasing it.

Then I will correct myself, and add that my experience is based on how Stevens Transport trucks are configured.

Also realize same year truck, same engine, same transmission, similar mileage can have dramatically different performance.

I am no wrench but with all of the chips and electronics, adjustment possibilities must be infinite, and mistakes likely do occur. I was in a truck last week that couldn't get out of its own way...this week; Cascadia with same engine & transmission had plenty of power.

Sure, if you have a poorly maintained or otherwise defective truck, it might not even run at all. That would be an exception.

Farmer Bob wrote:

Freightliners tend to be on the low side of engine power, so you will likely use more brakes than a Kenworth driver.

I disagree, the level of engine torque and power is not inherent to a specific truck manufacturer. You can have the same Cummins or Detroit power plant in a Cascadia as in a KW, as in a Pete, etc. Makes no difference and is more about how each truck is spec'd out by the company purchasing it.

Then I will correct myself, and add that my experience is based on how Stevens Transport trucks are configured.

Also realize same year truck, same engine, same transmission, similar mileage can have dramatically different performance.

I am no wrench but with all of the chips and electronics, adjustment possibilities must be infinite, and mistakes likely do occur. I was in a truck last week that couldn't get out of its own way...this week; Cascadia with same engine & transmission had plenty of power.

Sure, if you have a poorly maintained or otherwise defective truck, it might not even run at all. That would be an exception.

Hey thanks Captain Obvious. I know that...not at all what I meant. If the electronics are adjusted and/or programmed incorrectly which obviously happens, performance can suffer.

Hey Rainy...where you headed in PA? We're heading up 81 to Pottsville then on to Lewiston Maine... Did you get caught in that rolling traffic jam on 81 earlier??

I'm in Pittston for the night. Head our around 0400. My alarm keypad went bad and I needed to get it replaced. Everyone thought I was stealing the truck when the alarm kept ringing hahaha

Also realize same year truck, same engine, same transmission, similar mileage can have dramatically different performance.

I am no wrench but with all of the chips and electronics, adjustment possibilities must be infinite, and mistakes likely do occur. I was in a truck last week that couldn't get out of its own way...this week; Cascadia with same engine & transmission had plenty of power.

Sure, if you have a poorly maintained or otherwise defective truck, it might not even run at all. That would be an exception.

Hey thanks Captain Obvious. I know that...not at all what I meant. If the electronics are adjusted and/or programmed incorrectly which obviously happens, performance can suffer.

How is "poorly maintained or otherwise defective" significantly different from "adjusted or programmed incorrectly" ? Adjustments and programming are part of maintenance.

Never mind. I think we should just drop this. Different trucks have different engines. Different engines have different power characteristics. Those different characteristics can be modified electronically or mechanically by various companies to fit their specific needs.

In the end, no matter how you look at it, in all cases where the trucks are working properly, the Jake strength will be proportional to engine power, because that's simply how Jakes work.

FarmerBob wrote:

How is "poorly maintained or otherwise defective" significantly different from "adjusted or programmed incorrectly" ? Adjustments and programming are part of maintenance

It's not. On me, my mistake. I apologize for snapping at you.

Being nervous might keep you alive but stay alert and in control. I can't speak to your trainers' behavior or the condition of your equipment. My behavior when going downhill is to use whatever gear necessary along with the jake to keep the RPM's about 1500 and avoid excessive braking. If you can smell the brakes then they are burning or at least overheating and are at risk of failing. Burning the brakes is abusing the equipment and a good mechanic will know it. You can go down a hill safely at a moderate rate of speed many times over but it only takes one time going too fast with failing brakes to experience the wrong way and end your career and maybe your life or the lives of others. I live in Colorado and put on more than 3000 miles weekly in and around surrounding states so I speak from experience. I hope this helps you.

Great info here and I truly appreciate all of your input, cussins and discussions! Here's another question...not supposed to use jake brake when it's raining or snowing or icy...do you rely more on your gear and you brakes then?

Great info here and I truly appreciate all of your input, cussins and discussions! Here's another question...not supposed to use jake brake when it's raining or snowing or icy...do you rely more on your gear and you brakes then?

This is one of those questions that if you ask 3 drivers you get 3 answers.

One trainer told.me "never" to all 3 One trainer told me "use the jakes in anything but ice" One trainer told me "its whatever you feel comfortable with"

I use Jakes in light rains and cruise control too. Today the water was flowing on the streets so no cruise.

I refuse to use Jakes in ice or snow cause you can't see if there is ice beneath the snow. Look for the spray mist from the tires or the water on your mirrors to confirm no ice.

Then when it ices...especially at night...I park. Screw that.

If its ice, no dice. If its snow, away I go. ;)