Going Down a Mountain with NO ENGINE BRAKES - Regional Trucking

[@Simple_Worship_Guitar]

Also, don’t be afraid to go SLOWER than that posted speed. The lower the gear you use, the more slowing torque the transmission has. And if a truck is heavy, I’d err on the side of lower gear (which automatically puts you at a lower speed). If you take that mountain slow, and are comfortable, you might figure out you could do it a gear higher the next time. But you don’t want to do it too fast the first time, and wish you were a gear lower 😉

[@367nilson]

In a automatic transmission, what gear or level you would downhill this one?

[@waldriver1]

Used to do this all the time without Jake brakes in old days. No runaway ramps, old roads like old road on Mt eagle and others, no pulloffs nothing. Just had to respect the grades and take your time and take it slow. Also did not have much engine retard effect out or the old gas engines and early diesels. All in all a good video.

[@wladhado]

@@367nilson just slow your truck down to 30 miles and go down hill alowly everytime yiur truck start pick up speed luke 40 miles hit the brakes to slow it back to 30 miles snd so on... im new driver and that what i did... any coments guys....😊

[@marlberg2963]

One gear lower than the climb On most hills you'll be fine Check 'em at the top Or down that hill you will drop.

[@masakatsudojoschoolforaiki1600]

Thank you for this tip on using my brakes minimally, I am working with a Volvo Automatic but the gears are dropped as needed, they also act as an engine brake, I just scaled the Rockies, highly stressful since I am a new flat bed driver, but to maintain my speed and manage my braking was intense, praise God I made it, Brother, it was the ultimate rush, what you shared that principle helped me understand better, I really appreciate it!

[@silkscreenart5515]

I hauled diesel up to Central City/Blackhawk in Colorado. I was never comfortable making that trip. Also I only did it in the warmer months. Lower gear, engine brake, flashers and beacon light on, keep your foot off the brake except on curves. Don't let other vehicles who fly past you make you feel you are not going fast enough. Mountain driving should be an endorsement on your CDL.

[@douglasmijangos3327]

Awesome video bro .. realistically speaking.. you’re probably saving people’s lives here man 🔥 thank you

[@jeffrawluk3426]

I just wanted to say thanks. Tomorrow is my second trip through the mountains. These tips are greatly appreciated!

[@swensation55]

I’m hoping to get into the trucking industry in the summer of 2023 so I’m thankful to be able to watch videos like this one to help me mentally prepare for truck operation as well as trucking life. Thanks so much for the upload!

[@Cocytus]

You should invest in a trucking simulator and a mid-high tier steering wheel and pedals (if you haven't already). Logitech G29 and American Truck Simulator is a good pairing. If you have an Oculus-Meta VR Headset, it's even cooler.

[@tylertisdale6297]

Did you do it?! I’m about 1 year in with my CDL and loving it 💪🏼

[@philleo713]

Great information

[@chesterpanda]

Monteagle was my first mountain solo. I was nervous, I smelled hot brakes and thought I was gonna die. However, it was the truck in front of me. His trailer brakes were smoking and creating a nice smoke screen all the way down. He eventually pulled off to the side once things leveled out, but he was booking it down the hill.

[@footalee2]

Very good content, viewing from Kingston Jamaica 🇯🇲 👍

[@Chuckn0ris]

as a soon to be trucker i appreciate this!

[@TravelinArtBook]

Nice tutorial man. I drive a 10-speed as well and I occasionally drive in mountains. When I drive in mountains I'm usually empty so I don't really downshift or use the engine brake; I just use stab braking techniques to slow down about 10mph below the posted speed let the truck gain momentum up to the posted speed then repeat the process until I'm off the mountain. Brakes are very important and the worst thing ppl can do is take that lightly. ;)

[@jamielparker7651]

Excellent 👍🏽 best tutorial yet I've seen on KZbin.

[@arthursmith9264]

Great move & i was last of the no jake brake Truckers but in todays safety & insurance use your Jakes this is a great emergency move always good to have something in the mind tool box & Happy Trails 🚛

[@fwildt]

Thanks bro. I have an automatic but these tips were very helpful.

[@edsullivan344]

good advice my 1st truck i had 34 years ago when i started trucking had no engine brake and i went west out in northwest without engine brake yes it takes more work without engine brakes but i feel that best way to learn cause if your engine brake fails you need to know how to use your brakes safe

[@DonnOfTechDuinn]

So the engine brake can fail?

[@joangonzalez5628]

Thanks for the help really helpful 👍🏾

[@carlosburgess1066]

Absolutely Love this video, coming from a rookie. Thank you for sharing with detail, and actually showing us new drivers instead of just standing in front of a camera talking about it for 30 minutes, and we still have no understanding on how to do it.

[@teslarocks7345]

I ran a daycab with no jake out in the eastern US so had to deal with hills. Had 37k loaded in Pups and went across I 68 to go to Hwy 220 in Cumberland. It was a long trip to the stop sign for 220 and my brakes were real warm by then. Using very low gear and going Slowww will get you there. But that one was a challenge.

[@Ken-rq3yl]

Excellent video. I particularly like the emphasis on not being in a hurry, better to be slower and always in control that on the edge of the equipment envelope driver ability. One thing that I would like to add, is that whether at night or daytime, I always switch my GPS to display grade when in mountains. Even in the daytime, my perception of grades are deceiving. It's the same as a pilot watching the ball. Use all the tools you have.

[@Sixpak813]

Thank you for this great video 😊

[@greggrimes2190]

Great video needed those tips

[@StromLxrd6]

man you made this look so easy, gives me confidence I need. hopefully you'll open your own training school man, great teacher.

[@garyyoung7044]

Thank You Sir very informative life saving information,,,,

[@DeborahCiwo]

I found this video very helpful thank you guys. And please let us take a look in your dashboard as you shift the gears.

[@melbertserdan8134]

This video is informative. ❤

[@christravels360]

Incredible video! Excellent information with a very relaxed demonstration. I feel this video will help many drivers heading to and through the mountains, and just steep hills in general. Thanks!

[@micahthompson4090]

Awesome video valuable tips thank you 🙏🏾

[@NightowlTrucking]

THIS Is the mountain driving video I was looking for. Thank you!

[@family1stdad]

You're welcome!

[@eliorosco7927]

Good job very good instructor

[@WhiteoutMonster]

I drive a concrete truck that has no engine brake I just had a an interstate drive, ENDING on a 19% grade dirt road that fucking terrified me. On the way to and from the job while interstate driving up and down a 6% grade, selling your brakes seems like a bad thing, but evidently when you have 6 axles on the ground and 60k lbs you're gonna smell them when you get them hot? I'm calming down but that was scary. I'm debating on getting into a different truck. But I AM glad I'm listening to this video while I'm pouring out. Hopefully the drive back won't be as bad. School didn't explain STAB braking very well, like it shouldn't take very long it's quick.

[@johncalvo1743]

Where the hell was that? Pennsylvania? I've never driven a 19% grade. You won't find those on ANY interstate. 8% is tops on the interstates.

[@WhiteoutMonster]

@@johncalvo1743 the 19% grade was not an interstate. That was AFTER all the interstate driving I was doing. That was near the job site, 19% grade POSTED; No vehicles over 16,000LBS. Here I am in a 78,000 mixer. That whole drive sucked.

[@WhiteoutMonster]

@@johncalvo1743 On and this is Idaho. I should edit my post, the way I wrote it makes it seem like I was talking about a19% grade interstate lol THAT would be absolutely insane.

[@AleksandrIlchenko-vw3py]

If you climbing at 9th gear, you must descend at 8th gear, 8th up - 7th down and so on. US-95 in ID and OR is a great scienic road but not for beginners cause it's undivided highway almost everywhere. Steepest descend to Lewinstown has a 4 (four!) runaway ramps on 6-miles

[@sesotoro]

Thank you much for the video, really helped me !!

[@pakfuad3311]

Another great video, very useful and thanks for your tips. I agree with you, the biggest mistake is ignoring road signs. 😍🇮🇩👍

[@dblvckthagawd6765]

Thanks great video

[@chicho637]

Thanks for this video

[@elysiaduke]

Always stop at the Truck Inspection Station before you endure the "Monteagle Meltdown" on I-24. Your brakes will thank you.

[@almostnorris623]

Familiarizing yourself with the neighborhood also bieng on the lookout for stops and truck related road signs since that is a que to get ready for gradual down ship when it gets down slope or up slope driving at sun down pay attention at dusk. I'm just saying.

[@djtblizzle]

I’m shaking in my boots. I just got my permit, so I haven’t even gotten into the “meat” of my schooling. I’ve been driving for longer than some of my classmates have been alive, but this is a whole new animal!

[@showtime591]

Any videos for the automatic trucks

[@donaldmiller2654]

People need to remember old trucks had gas engines, split shifting ( 2 sticks) and no maxi brakes(single cans) which were used to hold the vehicle at a stop sign or traffic light.

[@Daniel.garciA_138]

Please explain proper jake brake usage going down a grade with rain . None of this was taught at school . Didnt get much training for rain or snow.

[@Gert-DK]

Try driving in Scandinavia, with a truck weighing 60 ton (132 277 lb). If anybody don't believe me, take a look here: HAPPY TRUCKING p1 - Angelica Larsson Max. weight 60 ton, max length 24 meters = 78,7 feet. I am not 100% sure it is alloved in Norway, but Denmark, Sweden and Finland is OK.

[@braddytrucklife803]

Love seeing videos like this as I am starting school to get my CDL in a month. This is very informative and helpful for us up and coming truck drivers. Thank you for your time in making this great video. Props brother💪

[@renedominguez7621]

Thank you 🙏 so much god bless

[@seawolff33]

Good tips thanks for sharing. Also, good graphics - takes time to make a good video like you do.

[@imatter4619]

The hill I was going down today on a 10 gear 50klb dump truck loaded was pretty bad. 6th was using to much engine brake while 7th was making me use to much brake. What's preferred?? Thanks

[@victorjulian6003]

What a great video!! Very useful!! Thank you!

[@roadboat9216]

Thanks. Good info. I thought that diesels doesn’t have back pressure and therefore needs engine braking system, no?

[@wodiberappin8624]

I’m starting my cal class July 11th and will have my commercial license by august 5th any advice for someone going into the city school or as a rookie I should know before driving trucks r befor king into schooling any advice is helpful thanks and I love your channel man keep it up

[@highwayhobo104j6]

Good video....i drive a 91 nrc 65 rotator ...weighs in at aroind 70000 lbs plus ....so its a challange going downhill. Especially in tow ....i towed a 68000 lbs drill truck i was 140000 lbs combined going up and down hills ...the jake is ok but not the best ....anyhow great tips

[@laurentdimbu2039]

Thank you

[@waynechris2]

Awesome video! Love It.

[@kennsnthumbi6947]

It's a nice guide on mountain braking,, but I can't understand why your brake pedal is shaking a bit even when your foot is off.

[@davis6142]

Thank you for this video

[@jessegago7163]

Great video. Thank you.

[@johncalvo1743]

Monteagle is very deceptive. If you are not paying attention, the grades will catch you off-guard. I had a very exciting decent there once because I had my head in my ass.

[@narmandakhduuren340]

Thanks..

[@leonardmattingly1628]

Been there. Maryland is good place too lol.

[@jorgegonzalezzamudio2224]

Great Video !!!!

[@totoroutes5389]

How many hours inbetween washroom stops?

[@scotthibbard5746]

Monteagle! Love it. I live in Mount Juliet, TN. I blew a steer tire just after the brake inspection station. Luckily I got it stopped. I'm figuring that I ran over something in the parking lot.

[@theartistformerlyknownasje6358]

Great channel 👍

[@sarahgupton2552]

Great job.

[@shakeman9961]

The Monteagle grade is mentioned in the song "The Legend - by Jerry Reed" in the beginning of the movie "Smokey and The Bandit."

[@danielc9155]

An you do a video in snow and ice and wether to use Jake brake or not

[@family1stdad]

Jake Breaks are not recommended to be used in ice and snow.

[@PhantomWoIf]

imagine the truck was hybrid diesel, all that brakeing downhill could be done by regenartive brakeing. That would save the brakes on the truck and take alot of stress of the engine, fuel economy would increase.

[@rigger5350]

I DROVE FOR HEARTLAND EXPRESS.THEY DON'T GIVE ACCESS TO THE ENGINE BRAKE SWITCHES.THE LAW SAYS SEMIS HAVE TO HAVE ENGINE BRAKES,BUT HEARTLAND EXPRESS WOULDN'T GIVE ACCESS TO THEM,BY THE SWITCHES BEING HIDDEN..I HAD TO PULL OFF,PART WAY DOWN A MOUNTAIN,BECAUSE I HAD TO USE ONLY REGULAR BRAKES.THEY GOT HOT.I GOT WORRIED.

[@Grapes2wine-MJK]

Just don’t hit the fuel and brake right before the curves. I actually didn’t see the mountain in flagstaff and it was dark. Half way down i was doing 76… I had to get it slowed down. It wasn’t that bad because our company had brand new rig’s. That’s one thing I look at now, the equipment

[@mattleonard5268]

The engine fan manual switch is your friend when you don’t have an engine brake or have one that you don’t want to use.

[@johncalvo1743]

How so?

[@clarancebradley6109]

Cools the engine down keep a eye on your thermostat

[@wildboy7324]

What about going down em in a automatic?

[@family1stdad]

Apply the same principle with the braking method. Most trucks have the option also to switch from auto to manual with a switch on the steering wheel. But typically, the design of the newer trucks have already integrated the gear box to not upshift when going down a mountain with a heavy load. In most cases, the truck will know to stay in a lower gear automatically.

[@sarahgupton2552]

I’m curious why you don’t have engine brakes. I used the same principle of braking as you demonstrated but also used my engines brake from the top of steep grades which kept the truck from increasing speed as quickly saving the need to break as hard and as often.

[@oscarr.camacho7257]

Perhaps you running with low rpm lets them raise up to 2000

[@chrislewis6488]

Some trucks don't have jakes.I learned back in the 90s without the benefit of having a jake.

[@0873sp]

this is the second video I saw that you made that I am not noticing you doubling the clutch as you shift. Do you just do it so fast that we don't see it or do you sometimes not do it? Just curious.

[@josechavez656]

When I use lower gears on a downgrade my RPM's go sky high how do I avoid that?

[@family1stdad]

Use more brake to slow it down before downshifting

[@josechavez656]

@@family1stdad Thank you

[@davidkuehl8713]

Very good.

[@ttussok]

New drivers in automagics: don’t forget to put the trannie in manual mode to select your gear and KEEP IT THERE. You don’t want it trying to upshift on its own, your heart will leap into your throat when you feel the truck suddenly take off.

[@eagle25311]

The newer auto with Jake won't auto upshift in full Jake

[@ttussok]

@@eagle25311 I was in training when I wrote that, I think we had a pretty new cascadia and it scared the crap outta me coming down donner for the first time. My trainer laughed and said “that’s why you put it on manual.”

[@cs.8821]

Lol.. thanks

[@Rick-hf6ov]

Very good video! Unfortunately these bigger companies - and we all know who they are, are NOT training all these tens of thousands of 'people' from 27 different countries, to even turn a steering wheel, MUCH LESS actually drive a truck like a "professional". Many of them don't even understand what lane to be in at certain times because they've never even seen a big truck, much less drive one.

[@keithrowell8895]

You are full of shit

[@chrislewis6488]

I learned how to drive out west without a jake infact from 96 to 99 I never drove a truck that had a jake on it.

[@MICHAELHowell-z9k]

How to come down a mountain in the snow no Jake brake

[@superbrian113]

As european truck driver I wonder if you dont have a Telma reatarder installed on US trucks? - Besides the engine brake ?

[@findingmissinglovedones1597]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Please can you tell me (floating the bridge)

[@cryptonator1988]

I dont get the low gear i put it in 7th on mont eagle and it keeps gaining speed like crazy.. i stab brake but at some point i can even control 25-35mph anymore id be braking too much so i have to let my brakes cool down..

[@family1stdad]

You're probably very heavy. Drop it down to 6th gear if need be and be sure to not ride the brakes too much.

[@cryptonator1988]

@bigrigpro763 ohh hell yeah I was heavy 41k in the trailer alone lol..

[@waaryaabdi7126]

Downhill is not hard if you know what you’re doing! But for beginners this video is useful for you better take your time or you will end up in a ditch 😂😂😂

[@boggy7665]

If you have to use your brakes repeatedly, shouldn't you instead switch to a lower gear? Even intermittent application of the brakes can overheat the brakes, right?

[@family1stdad]

@@boggy7665 when you're heavy (loaded), intermittent braking is still going to be necessary, even if you drop to a lower gear in most cases. The transmission can only slow you so much before the RPMs begin to rise too fast. Don't want to destroy the tranny making it do all the work. Intermittent braking won't be a problem if you accompany it with a lower gear

[@367nilson]

How much brake pedal pressure are you applying on this downhill? Thanks in advance for your educational video.

[@family1stdad]

Enough to slow the vehicle by 10mph. Apply this rule to every truck

[@Cybertrucker1]

I want a video of not tailgating,to many drivers tailgate and it’s dangerous

[@ozzy1066]

What’s wrong with using the engine brakes?

[@family1stdad]

This truck I was driving doesn't have engine brakes.

[@jwoo1302]

WA state has no run away ramps. Good luck.

[@rodfreess6019]

Really! Iowa and Illinois each have at least one, and a good idea because you're not expecting slow grades in IA or IL.

[@Adrian_37633]

What about automatic

[@timcrawford5882]

I grew up with few trucks had Jake brakes

[@lestervaldesnunez74]

Thank you sooooo much. Just lost my engine brake sensor in California and gotta go back to Florida

[@johncalvo1743]

Be careful with those mountains in Florida. They are some of the trickiest ones in the country.

[@lestervaldesnunez74]

@@johncalvo1743 FACTS!

[@arthursmith9264]

PLUS ALWAYS stop at brake check areas period

[@mo-star7616]

Don't keep left foot on cloth pedal if don't use clutch.

[@family1stdad]

I'm not using pressure on the pedal.

[@falcowo139]

how do you organise your schedule as a truck driver ?

[@jamesbrown5769]

😄

[@tymaze2539]

Is this method the same as a 9 grade mountain in Colorado and Utah, Hope you get my message

[@family1stdad]

Yes, but slower and a lower gear if you're loaded especially.

[@travismaxwell9115]

I wouldn't even consider coming down a mountain without a jake brake.

[@family1stdad]

@@travismaxwell9115 I did it on a weekly basis. My truck wasn't equipped with one.

[@travismaxwell9115]

@@family1stdad you the man!!!!

[@marshalljimduncan]

The Georgia overdrive

[@Allen-lk1fw]

any new videos?

[@family1stdad]

Soon. Been a very busy 2022 for me. But soon

[@carlwiltse3909]

Since when did they start teaching that fanning the brakes like that is safe & the proper way to go down a pass? First, if you have to do it very often you have the chance of losing air pressure, every time you push that brake peddle you use & lose air pressure. Second, your brakes heat up faster by fanning them. I drove truck in the eighties & nineties, i ran every western pass in America many times over & never heated my brakes, or even got close to it. This is the way it was done back then, chose the lower gear that holds you back at the speed required, then run your brakes at no more than ten lbs of brake pressure all the way down. If you hold more than ten lbs of brake pressure you will more than likely over heat your brakes, so know your truck & what gear is best suited for the hill. No chance of losing air pressure or heating them up. For most of my driving experience I was always maxed out at 105,500 running the seven western states, that particular truck had a blue ox exhaust brake that made more noise than it did to hold the truck back, was basically useless. I never heated my brakes, & survived two million miles with zero accidents. I personally watched several drivers who were fanning their brakes smoke them & lose it. I'm retired now. But to each their own. Just food for thought. Everybody does things differently. Safe travels to all the drivers out there.

[@367nilson]

Are you saying that you kept pressing and holding the service brake all the downhills at 10 bls, all the way down without realizing it for any second until you make it down and on the right gear?

[@JustinMann-bu7ox]

You are right

[@eileenkung5839]

👍😍

[@mattleonard5268]

Flip on the engine fan, downshift, and step on the brake pedal.

[@johncalvo1743]

Why the engine fan?

[@PeteLamb]

Manually switching on your engine fan will create enough drag that it will slow the rpm of the engine, and effectively make the engine harder to turn thereby slowing the whole truck down. Not as good as a Jake but it definitely helps. @@johncalvo1743

[@jerkmansgrillproductions8923]

Please explain the % grade in next vedio eg..4% 6% etc. Whats that?

[@family1stdad]

The level of steepness for that particular downgrade. The lower the number, the less the steepness. The higher the number % the more steep it is.