Recently I drove from Alaska to Wyoming. We moved our home & shop, so the truck was loaded heavy, and the trailer was too. Overall I'm actually surprised at how well the truck handled the task. I estimate that my total combined weight was around 25k.
But on long steep down grades, 6-8%, it was hard to keep at a reasonable speed. Starting out at 45 mph at the top of the hill, using the brakes pretty hard until the bottom, the speeds were sometimes 75-85 mph at the bottom. And if you've driven this route before, you know that there are often sharp turns at the bottom of these grades. A "white-knuckle ride" for me anyhow.
I was using the tow/haul mode & trailer brakes. But the brakes got pretty damn hot. Stinking & squealing, etc. The trans braking helped obviously, but it just wasn't enough for the weight I was rolling. What are the options I have, for keeping this thing under control on long grades? The truck is in my sig, a 2001 ECSB LB7, mostly stock.
But on long steep down grades, 6-8%, it was hard to keep at a reasonable speed. Starting out at 45 mph at the top of the hill, using the brakes pretty hard until the bottom, the speeds were sometimes 75-85 mph at the bottom. And if you've driven this route before, you know that there are often sharp turns at the bottom of these grades. A "white-knuckle ride" for me anyhow.
I was using the tow/haul mode & trailer brakes. But the brakes got pretty damn hot. Stinking & squealing, etc. The trans braking helped obviously, but it just wasn't enough for the weight I was rolling. What are the options I have, for keeping this thing under control on long grades? The truck is in my sig, a 2001 ECSB LB7, mostly stock.
