How difficult is it to drive a tractor-trailer in the mountains?

Question

I'm just a city driver and looking to take a job for a company that wants me to drive in the colorado rockies. I've heard some crazy stories.

Answer 1

Depends on where you drive in the Rockies. Some of the mountain roads are not that bad from what I hear. Then there are some that make it seem impossible for a truck driver to travel on them.

Answer 2

I would say that it would be very difficult due to the hills, other drivers, road conditions and the winds, you would need to be seasoned driver to make this work.............................

Answer 3

terrellf, has it right. the only thing I can add is something an old timer told me when I started driving trucks over 20 years ago.

That is, you can go up a mountain too slow a million times, but you will only come down a mountain too fast once.

Answer 4

Not overly difficult,  you just have to keep you head on your shoulders,  plan ahead,  stay alert,   and know when to tell the boss  "I am not going".  

Colorado for the most part,  does an excellent job of keeping the roads clear,  but there is always other traffic and ice to deal with.   If you haul hazmat,   your routes can be restricted even more so than normal.   Several times a year,  the weather will bring everything to a stop,  you just have to expect this and be prepared.

You always have to think about the upcoming road,  keep speed well under control,  and be in the right gear for the situation.

Answer 5

Road Conditions is what makes the job difficult in the mountains. Make SURE you check the weather before starting out. Ask others that have come across the MT what the conditions were on top.

The worse thing is depending on how heavy you are it's a slow climb, try to get a run at the hill.

Coming off the MT. can be difficult if you don't set yourself appropriately. Remember to always come off slow and allow your Jake to to ride, so you don't have use your brakes AS much. Try not to change gears after you started to drop, it can be difficult to find your gear if your familiar with mountain driving.

If your going slower than the rest of the road traffic coming off the hill or going up the hill, please put your 4 ways on to warn other drivers that your moving more slowly.

Answer 6

It depends on the roads and the time of day...or night.

Road conditions can make the job difficult...or dangerous. Some roads are terribly narrow (like a lane and a half) and can make navigating the roadway with opposing traffic difficult. Some areas have fog at night making visibility difficult. Not to mention that some are terribly steep and winding.

Answer 7

Its not difficult to drive tractor trailers in any mountain range. It can be tricky at  times. You just have to be very alert your first few times on new roads. Make sure you see all signs and READ THEM!!!. Other than that it depends on what you hauling, heavy, light, top heavy, liquid,or what ever it may be.

Then you will be the one to take it down the pass. That is the hard part. Do Not follow another truck off the mountain. That guy probably knows the road well and can do it alot faster than you. He may also have a retarder which  a lot of trucks don't have. You may have a Jacobs brake but trust me it in no retarder. although I would see if the company has any or both on their equipment. Just don't let someone talk you into doing something you not comfortable with, like the CB Rambo who will get you in trouble. Use you flashers at slower speeds up or DOWN!! Always have CB on to hear whats going on because going down there will be curves you cant see around and you want all the warning you can get to stop if you need to. That is also why you start off slower than you went up, save you brakes. You get them hot, burn em up, then they want stop you.

If you are not sure about something Be sure to ask. someone will help. Its not has hard as it sound from stories, You are a driver you know how that run didn't go exactly like you told it now did it.