Going Down a Mountain with NO ENGINE BRAKES - Regional Trucking

How to go down a mountain without Engine Brakes! Take these steps as a beginner trucker and you'll greatly reduce your chances of disaster!
#bigrigpro

[@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....😊

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@jamielparker7651]

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

[@Chuckn0ris]

as a soon to be trucker i appreciate this!

[@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.

[@sunzofman940]

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

[@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 💪🏼

[@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 🚛

[@joangonzalez5628]

Thanks for the help really helpful 👍🏾

[@victorjulian6003]

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

[@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

[@fwildt]

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

[@sesotoro]

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

[@greggrimes2190]

Great video needed those tips

[@waynechris2]

Awesome video! Love It.

[@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.

[@NightowlTrucking]

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

[@bigrigpro763]

You're welcome!

[@jessegago7163]

Great video. Thank you.

[@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. ;)

[@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💪

[@user-ct5uo1hd9x]

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

[@chicho637]

Thanks for this video

[@dblvckthagawd6765]

Thanks great video

[@philleo713]

Great information

[@pakfuad3311]

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

[@jorgegonzalezzamudio2224]

Great Video !!!!

[@eliorosco7927]

Good job very good instructor

[@davis6142]

Thank you for this video

[@seawolff33]

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

[@sarahgupton2552]

Great job.

[@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.

[@renedominguez7621]

Thank you 🙏 so much god bless

[@theartistformerlyknownasje6358]

Great channel 👍

[@laurentdimbu2039]

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..

[@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.

[@davidkuehl8713]

Very good.

[@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.

[@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!

[@shakeman9961]

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

[@leonardmattingly1628]

Been there. Maryland is good place too lol.

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@showtime591]

Any videos for the automatic trucks

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@jwoo1302]

WA state has no run away ramps. Good luck.

[@scottpioso]

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.

[@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.

[@marshalljimduncan]

The Georgia overdrive

[@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?

[@Arizona_Vineyard]

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

[@timcrawford5882]

I grew up with few trucks had Jake brakes

[@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

[@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

[@totoroutes5389]

How many hours inbetween washroom stops?

[@eileenkung5839]

👍😍

[@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.

[@danielc9155]

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

[@bigrigpro763]

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

[@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.

[@user-jj9tn6vc9w]

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

[@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 😂😂😂

[@367nilson]

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

[@bigrigpro763]

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

[@arthursmith9264]

PLUS ALWAYS stop at brake check areas period

[@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

[@findingmissinglovedones1597]

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

[@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.

[@catherinelissandreau1384]

Hello bonjour de France 👋💪💪🙋‍♀️

[@Cybertrucker1]

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

[@falcowo139]

how do you organise your schedule as a truck driver ?

[@jamesbrown5769]

😄

[@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

[@andrewb2332]

What was the grade and how many miles to the bottom

[@chrislewis6488]

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

[@mo-star7616]

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

[@bigrigpro763]

I'm not using pressure on the pedal.

[@chellejones8529]

Cabbage hill terrifies me every dang time. Thankgod im off the roads today. These automatic trucks can kiss my middle finger. Sure you can go into lower gear in auto n then once you start rollin that dam buzzer dont shut up n your gonna overheat if ya dont upshift like quick... dam i hate that crap. 13 speed no problem. Them autos are somethin

[@tymaze2539]

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

[@bigrigpro763]

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

[@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

[@Adrian_37633]

What about automatic

[@josechavez656]

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

[@bigrigpro763]

Use more brake to slow it down before downshifting

[@josechavez656]

@@bigrigpro763 Thank you

[@wildboy7324]

What about going down em in a automatic?

[@bigrigpro763]

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.

[@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

[@remasteredbymess9491]

OMG

[@jerkmansgrillproductions8923]

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

[@bigrigpro763]

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.

[@ozzy1066]

What’s wrong with using the engine brakes?

[@bigrigpro763]

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

[@Allen-lk1fw]

any new videos?

[@bigrigpro763]

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

[@TheDriller100]

what ever gear you went up, use two gears less going down and you will never touch the break

[@Sinister_Reaper]

Yes you will

[@charleshouse5541]

Me 40 years OTR, plenty of western mountains, my Question is, so, your coming down one like say, wolf creek that's VERY long and VERY steep, your at 80.000 right? You swap back and forth from 45 to 35 mph, but your so heavy and it's so far down and steep your going from 35 to 45 mph every 15 or 20 seconds or so! Now WHAT? Explain that one brother. You already know the answer, you just can't do that and know it the way you've explained it right, so now what? Be safe, be blessed, THANKS!

[@eharris6347]

What is the answer???????? Not a truck but would really like to know

[@j.santiago4140]

You are right, It's impossible, I had issues with engine brake working at its minimum power in summer time. On a 6% downgrade with almost 78000 lbs and the truck would increase speed so fast. I don't think I'd make it with no engine brake at all... Blessings

[@funkmon]

@@eharris6347 you have to use a very low gear and go slow as shit.

[@367nilson]

For the new drivers like me, can you tell us how to do it, please? Thanks in advance for your help.

[@charleshouse5541]

@@367nilson yeah, pick the most loved thing thats safe, constructive and always rewarding you've always done and gone for in life successfully and treat trucking the same way. You've picked it so get it done. Hanging with ole farts can help, did for me. Ask questions, I did and don't mind at all being asked, most dont mind even showing you if needed! Hard to teach one writing it out. Find someone willing to help you, follow them. Watch, ask, learn CHILL! If your in TDS(I taught for one year actually) make sure they teach you and not just pass you, doesn't still feel right as a grad, don't do it! You dying is one thing, others because of you is unexceptable, you know you so be honest with yourself, can I, can I not, you'll know. Just Learn, learn, learn period. By real time example where needed. Be safe! "AND ENJOY THE RIDE!"

[@charleshouse5541]

And?

[@sssnipermonkey5566]

All that work for $24 bucks an hour

[@bigrigpro763]

Add $4 more per hour on average

[@x_flies]

Good old manual. I would still drive if all these companies didn’t switch to bullshit computers and automatics. If you find a company position with manual trucks, consider yourself lucky.

[@logdon17]

What happened, I thought driving for Coke was the best job in trucking?

[@claudetaylor3252]

Notice in your video you ride that clutch petal what's up with that.your creating another problem

[@bigrigpro763]

No I'm resting my foot on it. I'm not applying any pressure.

[@622kck]

never had a problem going down mountain grades got to many idiot drivers now thats the problem

[@davidwelty9763]

As someone who lives near a busy road, I can tell you those engine brakes are intrusive, noisy and add to noise pollution. In some places using them is illegal. I hate them.

[@bigrigpro763]

It's better to have them than for the truck to barrel down a mountain with no braking assist. Engine brakes are a huge factor to stopping and slowing that rig.

[@jaysonmejia4245]

move then

[@Aname89099]

Sitting at the top of a mountain with 8 miles of 6% in a 65k lbs truck with an engine break that won’t work. Wish me luck gentleman 🫡

[@PeteLamb]

How did it go?

[@antoniosarmientoluna6497]

Yeah how did u do?

[@Aname89099]

@@antoniosarmientoluna6497 survived unscathed. Just took my time and it wasn’t too bad.

[@antoniosarmientoluna6497]

@@Aname89099 Im glad man. Wish me luck too. Im on 285 in Colorado near Saguache heading to Montrose Co. ( west).Colorado too hilly for my taste but couldnt find any other loads. Bless

[@Aname89099]

@@antoniosarmientoluna6497 Godspeed 🫡