4 Things Every Trucker Should Know About Mountain Driving
Aug 5th 2022
Mountain driving can be scary, especially for new truck drivers. The irregular terrain plus the weight and size of your vehicle makes such trips more dangerous than driving in a car. Here are four essential mountain driving tips to know so that you can avoid any dangerous mishaps.
1. Be Very Careful
Mountain truck driving is not the time for hitting cruise control or getting distracted by a fascinating podcast. Pay close attention to the grades posted on the roads and be sure to slow down well in advance of an obstacle. Never let the truck coast, even at the bottom of the mountain.
2. Beware of Overheating
If you don’t pay attention to the grades posted, you may not speed up enough to ascend mountains. This could force you to push your truck harder than it should go, making it very likely that your truck will overheat. If you need to go slower than surrounding traffic, turn on your hazards and pull into the rightmost lane.
3. Don’t Rely on Engine Breaks
Too many careless drivers assume that they can just use the engine breaks to slow their truck near the end of a descent, but this is never a good idea. It’s especially bad if you’re driving on mountainous terrain in inclement weather. Always make the safest decisions to protect yourself and other drivers.
4. Plan Your Trip
One of the most important things to know about mountain driving before you head out on a long trip is that you should have an idea where there are going to be steep inclines or curves in the road. Knowing these in advance means you can prepare for them by shifting to the right gear and adjusting to the right speed.
Safety and Comfort
Mountain driving can be quite bumpy, so it’s a good idea to upgrade to one of GRA-MAG’s aftermarket semi-truck seat if you’re doing long hauls on a regular basis. Sitting for hours in an old or poor-quality seat can cause you stress and pain while driving, which is never good for making careful decisions. Upgrade to a better seat so you can comfortably pay attention to the road ahead.