Descending steep grades

[Hammerhead]

(08-14-2017 )808allstarr Wrote:  Anyone have any experience descending 18% grades or steeper with heavy loads on very loose gravel? Maybe any tips on how to? Ive heard that too low of a gear and too slow can cause tires to lock up and start sliding also when jaking tires seem to back peddle if jakes too strong. Any stories or tips on a simalar situation would be greatly appreciated.

Yee haw, it's called "tobogganing" and it's great fun!
Ok, not really. Yes, I've slid down too many mountains, and will probably end up doing it again...
Tips:
Jakes on medium, not high
Slow, very slow, like crawl. Grades of that pitch on gravel, the gravel rolls under the tires like marbles and You ARE going to pick up more speed than you want to, so use the reliefs to scrub off speed because if you don't, you will get out of control very quickly.
Turns and curves, make them smooth or you're front end will push and there isn't anything you can do about it. Depending on speed, you may have to start them earlier than you think and you'll "drift" outwards in them. Marbles don't just roll straight, they'll go in the direction of least resistance or momentum. This includes backwards!
Tire chains are your friend, no I'm not kidding. I carry tire chains all year round. If you've got an extra set of singles, think about putting them on the steering, again I'm not kidding.
Consider putting a set or two of singles on the trailer tires as drag chains to help assist in braking.
NEVER get out of the truck. You can be parked and the truck will start sliding without notice or warning, so make sure it has a nut behind the wheel at all times. If you exit the cab on a grade like this, it is ONLY because it's out of control and you are bailing for safety.
Do not play with this, $h!t can go sideways in the blink of an eye.

This is where the advise develops too many variables to answer and leads to a few questions that will help give more specific info:
1)How heavy is "heavier"? Everybody has a different threshold for "heavier", and gravity and mass have a correlation.
2)Location? Is this a public road, or in a mine or on a forestry road?
3)OS/OW? Do you have a pilot car to help control traffic if a public road? Might not be a bad idea just for traffic control.
4)Conditions? Is there an alternative? If not, is there equipment that can help you down?
5)Distance of the grade? Are we talking 1/2 mile or several miles? Momentum is cumulative.

Oh, and I won't tell certain stories publicly in print. There are some things that are unwise to put into print and post on the Internet that may be used against you...