Driving on I-40

[Ray,IN]

Use the stab-braking method to help reduce loss of brakes on long downgrades. A rule of thumb is to never go down the other side of a grade faster than you topped it, however it does not always apply. Some steep downgrades should be driven at a low speed in anticipation of an emergency stop situation; ie: blind corners, construction zones,etc.
I was once going down a steep grade, rounded a corner and saw a road grader sitting cross-ways in the 2-lane highway, with a flagman standing just in front of it. Had I not been going slowly I could not have stopped before hitting the road grader. When I did get stopped I was about 10' from the flagman, with my brakes fading quickly.

[easdsa]

I take it the flagman was trying to get himself killed, squished between the road grader and your vehicle? He should have been around the corner.

Did you explain to him the error of his ways?

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by kb0zke

I take it the flagman was trying to get himself killed, squished between the road grader and your vehicle? He should have been around the corner.

Did you explain to him the error of his ways?

Nope, didn't say a word. It was a good thing I had a change of underwear in the 5er though. Later I investigated why I had so much difficulty stopping. I discovered the rear brakes on my 96 Dodge pickup were not doing much, something wrong with the proportioning valve (from the factory) and rear drum brake hyd. cylinders too small, was the mechanics report. A new proportioning valve and 1T GM wheel cylinders made a huge braking difference.

[bwhunter65]

Well glad to hear you fixed the problem and no one was hurt.

[George Schweikle]

There is a long section through the twisty bit where the 18 wheelers are restricted to the right hand lane with "Trucks No Passing" signs. Apparently this is enforced, but you had better get out of the way when exiting this section!. You can hear the trucks downshifting and accelerating back to their normal speed.

Originally Posted by denochs

...Additionally, you will find the winding curves a little intimidating when an 18 wheeler is flying by you at the same time you're navagating the curves and going thru the tunnels.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by George Schweikle

There is a long section through the twisty bit where the 18 wheelers are restricted to the right hand lane with "Trucks No Passing" signs. Apparently this is enforced, but you had better get out of the way when exiting this section!. You can hear the trucks downshifting and accelerating back to their normal speed.

Off-topic; That reminds me of when my Dad went to Charleston, SC in 1966 to bring back my sister and her husband before he shipped out to RVN. Coming through the mountains (2 lane highway then) the large trucks would tailgate my Dad down the mountain. When he stopped for gas he asked the attendant how to get out of the way. The attendant said " give me a nickle, Dad did, the attendant handed him a Coke bottle, saying " when one of those trucks gets on your bumper just wave this bottle above your roof and he will back off. More than one has had a Coke bottle through the windshield".

[bwhunter65]

LOL maybe thats why the are plastic now. My luck he would be pissed and run me off the road

[WA4SLC]

I live in Eastern NC and when I go I-40 into TN I turn North at Winston Salem on 59 and I-77 and cross the mountains at Fancy Gap VA. I pick up I-81 at Wythville VA and head West to I-40 at Knoxville. It is only 26 miles futher, but is a much easier way through the mountains. I have overnighted at the Flying J at Wythville several times.
I do not like I-40 through the mountains. The 18 wheelers hold you up so much. I-77 is nice and wide so you can go by the 18 wheelers that are in the slow lane.

[bwhunter65]

Thanks will try to remember to go that way if I try the mountain route.