Driving from Dallas to Anaheim on I-40

You will get a lot of opinions on this. We visit DD in Las Vegas a lot and travel Cajon pass every time. I barely use brakes down that grade.
Also, Disneyland just upped admission prices, $92 per day, either park. (Was $86.)

The proponents of the old theory have rescinded it, there is now (almost) universal agreement that the proper way to brake on a downgrade is to intermittently apply all your service brakes in a way that will reduce the speed of a fully loaded vehicle by about 5 or 6 mph during each application. Not agressively, enough to apply all brakes. The only hills that you might get hot on is the one out of Flagstaff Wbnd and Cajon Pass on I 15 going into San Bernardino. It is long and steep. You could avoid Cajon and go S on 95 at Needles, make sure you fuel there, to Vidal Jct, west on 62 to to Palm Springs and over Banning and the downhill side of it is 55 MPH coast all the way to Redlands. Drove big trucks out there for years. Coming back you can take I 15 and I 40 as down hills aren't all that bad, 1 coming into Needles EBND is steep.

Going into Alb. right outside of Moriarty (west side)you start to climb. not major just a long pull, once into and through Alb. you have 9 mile hill that's a pull, once over that you will see a few hills nothing to b concerned about. pretty good ride till you get to about 40 mi outside Winslow (West side)then you start to climb again nothing serious when you get out of the hills west of Williams you start going down watch your gearing once into the flat part of your drive Sleagman to Kingman into Nev. and Cali.you will encounter some hills nothing to b worried about. have a good time!!!

the bear II wrote:
Michael we've done that trip several times except leaving from California.

> Don't ride the brakes like you'll see some of the Semi Truck & Trailer drivers do

Most of the truckdrivers are not riding the brakes. They have their engine brake on and the brake lights are on anytime the engine brake is on. On my MH I use the exhaust brake going down long hills. My brake lights may be on for 5 miles and I never touch the brakes.

Michael we've done that trip several times except leaving from California.

> Most important is to make sure your truck has been serviced properly.
> If you don't have an auxiliary transmission cooler you may want to add one
> Make sure the brakes on the trailer are good and prpoerly adjusted. And Bearing grease is good.
> When climbing a hill don't let the truck engine lug, shift to a lower gear to keep your RPMs at an optimum range.
> If the truck begins to get too hot try slowing down and shifting into a lower gear. Don't push it just take the hill slow and easy.
> If your temp light comes on or the temp guage gets to the red, pull over and let everything cool down (may take up to an hour)
> You want to go downhill in the same or a lower gear than you went up in.
> Make sure you don't over rev the engine.
> Downhill use the extreme braking technique- decide on a downhill speed that is safe for the gear you are in. For example 35 MPH is the speed you choose. If your truck and trailer creeps up to 40 MPH, use your brakes aggressively to slow down to 30 MPH (make sure no one is following too close behind). Let off on the brakes and let the speed creep back up. If it hits 40 MPH again do the aggressive braking to get back down to 30 MPH. Keep this cycle up until you get to the bottom of the hill. This allows your brakes some time to cool before the next application. If you are having to use your brakes too often you may want to slow down and shift down to a lower gear.
> Don't ride the brakes like you'll see some of the Semi Truck & Trailer drivers do

Enjoy your trip... it will be fun and lots to see along the way.

I would get off I40 just after Williams Az and take Rt66 into Kingman.
It's more relaxing ride as I-40 has many ruts from heavy trucks. You will also be able to enjoy some historic scenery.