Topic: Ks, can you explain to me how those runaway truck ramps are supposed to work?
beckyderp !4aMoRa.T2Q started this discussion 11 years ago #44,264
I mean I get the concept of course. But are you trained on them? Have you had to use one? How do you stop from rolling backwards?It sort of disturbs me how rarely you see them. Or are they located so well that there's one available when you need it?
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 9 minutes later[^] [v] #584,879
I was a truck driver for a few years, I can explain it.
Essentially, the idea is that the truck goes off the ramp and catches a lot of air. So rolling backwards isn't an issue. Once the truck is at the apex of its launch, the truck driver can safely activate the built-in glider and gently glide the delivery the rest of the way.
Essentially, the idea is that the truck goes off the ramp and catches a lot of air. So rolling backwards isn't an issue. Once the truck is at the apex of its launch, the truck driver can safely activate the built-in glider and gently glide the delivery the rest of the way.
Anonymous C joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 4 minutes later, 13 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #584,885
Runaway truck ramps stop a truck when they lose their brakes. The ramps consist of sand, and some kind of pellets/small gravel to make the truck sink into it to stop the truck. It can be a pretty rough ride when you have to use them, I am glad I never had to.
They are mostly found on long and/or steep downhills where trucks are most potential to lose the brakes. Losing their brakes can be from one of the following reasons: riding the brakes can cause your brakes to fade(they got to hot), also riding your brakes can use up more of the air pressure faster than your truck can provide it. Mechanical issues can cause brake issues as well.
Although the ramps won't kill you, it can bring you to a sudden, jarring stop, so brace for it when you hit it.
Also, some years ago, a driver lost his brakes going down a hill. Instead of driving into the sand pit, he stayed on the black top running along the ramp, and ended up going up to the top and slamming into some tree..... He claimed he didn't know he was supposed to go into the pit.... Well, he knows now!
Also, as for rolling backwards, once you sink into the sand, you're not going anywhere until a tow truck pulls you out.
They are mostly found on long and/or steep downhills where trucks are most potential to lose the brakes. Losing their brakes can be from one of the following reasons: riding the brakes can cause your brakes to fade(they got to hot), also riding your brakes can use up more of the air pressure faster than your truck can provide it. Mechanical issues can cause brake issues as well.
Although the ramps won't kill you, it can bring you to a sudden, jarring stop, so brace for it when you hit it.
Also, some years ago, a driver lost his brakes going down a hill. Instead of driving into the sand pit, he stayed on the black top running along the ramp, and ended up going up to the top and slamming into some tree..... He claimed he didn't know he was supposed to go into the pit.... Well, he knows now!
Also, as for rolling backwards, once you sink into the sand, you're not going anywhere until a tow truck pulls you out.
(Edited 2 minutes later.)
beckyderp !4aMoRa.T2Q (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 6 minutes later, 19 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #584,889
Anonymous C replied with this 11 years ago, 6 minutes later, 25 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #584,893
@previous (beckyderp !4aMoRa.T2Q)
no, the entire ramp is what us truckers call the sand pit(kind of like golf). As soon as you hit the sand, it's anywhere from 6 inches to a foot deep, from the beginning to the end. Usually at the top they have a pile of sand to stop you, if you somehow managed to get that far. Some ramps are short(about 50 yards long), and others are up to a 1/2 mile long.
On interstate 24, in Monteagle Tennessee, there are three ramps going down that hill. The hill is a 6% grade for about 5 miles. If you're not in a lower gear, using your jake brake, and braking just right, you will end up in one of those three.
no, the entire ramp is what us truckers call the sand pit(kind of like golf). As soon as you hit the sand, it's anywhere from 6 inches to a foot deep, from the beginning to the end. Usually at the top they have a pile of sand to stop you, if you somehow managed to get that far. Some ramps are short(about 50 yards long), and others are up to a 1/2 mile long.
On interstate 24, in Monteagle Tennessee, there are three ramps going down that hill. The hill is a 6% grade for about 5 miles. If you're not in a lower gear, using your jake brake, and braking just right, you will end up in one of those three.
beckyderp !4aMoRa.T2Q (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 3 minutes later, 29 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #584,897
@previous (C)
Ah, so you are saying the guy was just running next to the ramp? Weird.
Is driving in mountainous regions reserved for more experienced truckers? The way you describe that Tennessee area makes it sound like a death trap.
Thanks for the answers btw
Ah, so you are saying the guy was just running next to the ramp? Weird.
Is driving in mountainous regions reserved for more experienced truckers? The way you describe that Tennessee area makes it sound like a death trap.
Thanks for the answers btw
Anonymous C replied with this 11 years ago, 7 minutes later, 36 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #584,901
@previous (beckyderp !4aMoRa.T2Q)
no, you don't have to be experienced, you just have to learn the ropes about the braking techniques. Tennessee has some good hills, but the one hill that has scared me from the first time I ever went down it(and it still scares me), is along I-70 in Colorado, coming down off the Rocky Mountains. In the winter time, it is a death trap if you're not careful.
The next worst one to me, is on I-90, going into Washington state out of Idaho, it's a long downgrade with hairpin turns. That is another scary one.
The heavier the load I am hauling, the slower I go. I see some trucks just barrel down them hills.
I'm not KS, but I am a trucker, so you're welcome. :)
no, you don't have to be experienced, you just have to learn the ropes about the braking techniques. Tennessee has some good hills, but the one hill that has scared me from the first time I ever went down it(and it still scares me), is along I-70 in Colorado, coming down off the Rocky Mountains. In the winter time, it is a death trap if you're not careful.
The next worst one to me, is on I-90, going into Washington state out of Idaho, it's a long downgrade with hairpin turns. That is another scary one.
The heavier the load I am hauling, the slower I go. I see some trucks just barrel down them hills.
I'm not KS, but I am a trucker, so you're welcome. :)
Anonymous C double-posted this 11 years ago, 5 minutes later, 42 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #584,904
@584,897 (beckyderp !4aMoRa.T2Q)Even though this isn't the Idaho hairpin turns, this is what it looks like pretty much.
The Owl !KThEOwLwbU joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 1 hour later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #584,942
How many truckers do we have on minichan?
Anonymous E joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 1 hour later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #584,985
Is this a problem when you're in a convoy?
Ks joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 4 hours later, 9 hours after the original post[^] [v] #585,063
@584,901 (C)
You know you're in for some fun when there's a designated brake inspection area before the hills. Our training involved the hills of Arkansas and Tennessee about 100 lbs under gross.
@OP
Our other truck driver explained the ramps better than I could have. I didn't know we had another truck driver, it's a small world.
You know you're in for some fun when there's a designated brake inspection area before the hills. Our training involved the hills of Arkansas and Tennessee about 100 lbs under gross.
@OP
Our other truck driver explained the ramps better than I could have. I didn't know we had another truck driver, it's a small world.
Anonymous C replied with this 11 years ago, 2 hours later, 12 hours after the original post[^] [v] #585,094
@previous (Ks)
Gotta love those inspection areas, I usually just roll up to the stop light and wait for the green and go. Don't know if you've went down that steep one on i64 in WV. But it is best to stop at that one, that way you can get that slow start to go down it.
I normally post as the Trucker, but just haven't put it on my name tag.
Gotta love those inspection areas, I usually just roll up to the stop light and wait for the green and go. Don't know if you've went down that steep one on i64 in WV. But it is best to stop at that one, that way you can get that slow start to go down it.
I normally post as the Trucker, but just haven't put it on my name tag.
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx replied with this 11 years ago, 48 minutes later, 13 hours after the original post[^] [v] #585,122
Ks replied with this 11 years ago, 6 hours later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #585,193
@585,094 (C)
Nah, I luckily haven't had to drive a rig in WV. We went a lot of places during training, but now I'm a team driver, regional and dedicated. We don't stray too far and we get home every weekend, easy I70 miles all week most weeks. We average just shy of 6,000 miles a week, it's a fairly sweet gig, we run hard and the week flies by.
Nah, I luckily haven't had to drive a rig in WV. We went a lot of places during training, but now I'm a team driver, regional and dedicated. We don't stray too far and we get home every weekend, easy I70 miles all week most weeks. We average just shy of 6,000 miles a week, it's a fairly sweet gig, we run hard and the week flies by.
Anonymous G joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 21 minutes later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #585,198
Ks replied with this 11 years ago, 4 minutes later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #585,199
Anonymous C replied with this 11 years ago, 1 hour later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #585,205
@585,193 (Ks)
I'm sure we've passed each other a few times then along the i70 corridor! I run nearly the entire east coast, except the northeast region, out to Iowa and Texas, and the states between those.
With my company, we can choose to be home on weekends, or if we want to run the weekend for more miles, we volunteer. I usually stay out 2 weeks at a time. If I am in need for a good bit of cash, then I'll probably run 3 to 4 weeks out.
I'm sure we've passed each other a few times then along the i70 corridor! I run nearly the entire east coast, except the northeast region, out to Iowa and Texas, and the states between those.
With my company, we can choose to be home on weekends, or if we want to run the weekend for more miles, we volunteer. I usually stay out 2 weeks at a time. If I am in need for a good bit of cash, then I'll probably run 3 to 4 weeks out.
[^_^] !IOdbnXsKDk joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 1 hour later, 22 hours after the original post[^] [v] #585,230
I wanna hang out with a truck driver
Anonymous I joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 2 minutes later, 22 hours after the original post[^] [v] #585,231
beckyderp !4aMoRa.T2Q (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 3 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #585,257
@585,205 (C)
Do you do speed and stop at adult stores?
There are so many fucking adult stores by the highway :|
Do you do speed and stop at adult stores?
There are so many fucking adult stores by the highway :|
Anonymous J joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 4 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #585,262
Anonymous C replied with this 11 years ago, 1 hour later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #585,280
@585,230 ([^_^] !IOdbnXsKDk)
Why would you want to hang out with us? According to most people, we are the lowest breed of humans on the planet. We are dirty, disgusting, lying, cheating, no good truckers who think we own the road. Technically, we do own the road....
@585,257 (beckyderp !4aMoRa.T2Q)
I speed when going down some hills, but not the drug. I have stopped at a porn store a few times.
@previous (J)
I'd rather buy porn than buy a hooker. I live by my motto, "Why pay for a disease when I can get it for free?"
Why would you want to hang out with us? According to most people, we are the lowest breed of humans on the planet. We are dirty, disgusting, lying, cheating, no good truckers who think we own the road. Technically, we do own the road....
@585,257 (beckyderp !4aMoRa.T2Q)
I speed when going down some hills, but not the drug. I have stopped at a porn store a few times.
@previous (J)
I'd rather buy porn than buy a hooker. I live by my motto, "Why pay for a disease when I can get it for free?"
(Edited 53 seconds later.)
[^_^] !IOdbnXsKDk replied with this 11 years ago, 16 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #585,402
The Trucker joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 4 hours later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #585,438
@previous ([^_^] !IOdbnXsKDk)
> Dunno, getting to travel around the states is the perk i guess
That's the best part of it. I can see the country for free, and get paid for it.
> Dunno, getting to travel around the states is the perk i guess
That's the best part of it. I can see the country for free, and get paid for it.
[^_^] !IOdbnXsKDk replied with this 11 years ago, 6 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #585,440
@previous (The Trucker)
I wish it could be a job to be someones traveling companion. Id take that job.
I wish it could be a job to be someones traveling companion. Id take that job.
Anonymous L joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 18 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #585,442
@584,879 (Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx)
> Essentially, the idea is that the truck goes off the ramp and catches a lot of air. So rolling backwards isn't an issue. Once the truck is at the apex of its launch, the truck driver can safely activate the built-in glider and gently glide the delivery the rest of the way.
American trucks are equipped with downward facing guns and jet engines so after they launch off the ramp the trucks blast their way back onto the highway while blowing other people off the road. Each trucker carries an emergency pair of sunglasses in the cab. In case of jet engine failure, they can put on the sunglasses, drop out of the cab, and walk away from the ensuing explosion without looking back.
Also, some of our trucks transform into giant robots.
> Essentially, the idea is that the truck goes off the ramp and catches a lot of air. So rolling backwards isn't an issue. Once the truck is at the apex of its launch, the truck driver can safely activate the built-in glider and gently glide the delivery the rest of the way.
American trucks are equipped with downward facing guns and jet engines so after they launch off the ramp the trucks blast their way back onto the highway while blowing other people off the road. Each trucker carries an emergency pair of sunglasses in the cab. In case of jet engine failure, they can put on the sunglasses, drop out of the cab, and walk away from the ensuing explosion without looking back.
Also, some of our trucks transform into giant robots.
(Edited 57 seconds later.)
Broseph !!fxnDb+Ve4 joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 45 seconds later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #585,443
I just saw one of these today. The hill I was on was so long and so steep that even in my Corolla I had the ride my brakes the whole way down just to stay below 80. I imagine it can get scary in a truck.
The Trucker replied with this 11 years ago, 9 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #585,445
@previous (Broseph !!fxnDb+Ve4)
You're lucky, you can ride your brake all the way down. Yours might get hot, but if ours get too hot, they can catch fire, or even fade to nothing.
You're lucky, you can ride your brake all the way down. Yours might get hot, but if ours get too hot, they can catch fire, or even fade to nothing.
beckyderp !4aMoRa.T2Q (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 13 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #585,446
The Trucker replied with this 11 years ago, 26 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #585,448
@previous (beckyderp !4aMoRa.T2Q)
Down shift to lower gear, use Jake brake, and use the brake pedal properly.
Down shift to lower gear, use Jake brake, and use the brake pedal properly.
FuckAlms !vX8K53rFBI joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 2 hours later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #585,458
squeegee joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 13 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #585,462
@previous (FuckAlms !vX8K53rFBI)
it's a break thing that a guy named jake built and it works by slowing you down.
it's a break thing that a guy named jake built and it works by slowing you down.
FuckAlms !vX8K53rFBI replied with this 11 years ago, 2 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #585,463
The Trucker replied with this 11 years ago, 22 hours later, 3 days after the original post[^] [v] #585,695
@585,458 (FuckAlms !vX8K53rFBI)
@585,462 (squeegee)
Squeegee has it partly right.
Its original name is "Jacob's Brake", created by someone of that name, but I don't remember the last name.
When you flip the switch on, it compresses the power your engine is putting out, causing your engine to "slow down", the RPM's.
Don't be fooled and think that the Jake brake will keep you moving down hill at 55mph, the jake brake can only hold so much, and you will still pick up speed, which is why you also need to be in lower gear, and braking just right.
However, If you are pulling an empty trailer, then the Jake brake can work better at keeping your speed at about 55, reducing your use of the foot brake.
@585,462 (squeegee)
Squeegee has it partly right.
Its original name is "Jacob's Brake", created by someone of that name, but I don't remember the last name.
When you flip the switch on, it compresses the power your engine is putting out, causing your engine to "slow down", the RPM's.
Don't be fooled and think that the Jake brake will keep you moving down hill at 55mph, the jake brake can only hold so much, and you will still pick up speed, which is why you also need to be in lower gear, and braking just right.
However, If you are pulling an empty trailer, then the Jake brake can work better at keeping your speed at about 55, reducing your use of the foot brake.