Effect of weight on braking for trucks.

In the fire Department where our 3 axle rigs weighed anywhere from 28,000 pounds for an engine to 50,000 for a 3000 gallon water tender we were taught to use "Stab Braking on the hills, both with retarder or engine brake on and off. Gear down, firm on the brakes to 5-8 mph under the max speed you would want to go on a downhill then off the brakes and let the speed creep back up until you hit your max target speed then repeat the process over and over until the bottom of the grade. This gave the brakes a chance to cool and prevent fade or loss so you would still have them if you really needed them.

I use the same technique with my rig and it is really important when towing a heavy trailer in addition to carrying the TC