steep grades

 

i tow big rv,and i think that many of you which tow rvs,agree that would be great to have file with steep hills(save those brakes,can you smell them)

Steep Grades

Sometimes the "steep grades" are the most scenic route... it's a shame to miss them. smile
I usually drop a gear (standard transmission) and go down to 5th or even 4th gear for them and alternate between truck and trailer brakes to allow each to cool and haven't suffered brake fade yet.
There is one that I recall on I77 south of Charlotte I think that does cause a little "white knuckle fever". I'm heading down through there in a few weeks and will try to get the coordinates for it. I haven't found any others between Ontario and Florida that cause concern and I've driven just about all the routes both ways.
I agree it would be nice to have some POI's for the big ones to give a little advance warning though.

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Garmin c340

re-steep grades

Western states and provinces have some "steep ones" and I know that they are scenic,but in the winter,spring,and late fall,is nice to know if you ok.on slippery roads.
I am from Alberta and we do have some mountin passes,and some times you find out,that you need to slow down,before you get there,and i think such file would be good for RVs and trucks,specialy,if you dont know the road

Proper braking

I drive a Big Rig with 48ft flatbed and have to go through many mountain passes, lots of extremely steep grades. You want to go down the hill usually one gear lower than the gear you went up the hill in. Use stab braking, this is where you hold the brakes until the rpms go down by 500 for a Rig, then let the truck speed up on its own (never take it out of gear)Once it gets up to speed again, you repeat the process. This was taught to us in school and it works. You never want to alternate truck and trailer brakes, especially when its slippery, you could easily jackknife. I will stockpile info this summer for the popular grades like Veil and Donner passes those on I-40, I-70, I-80 and I-90. When I'm done I will post my results.