Hot Brakes

Hot Brakes | Tips & Resources

• Check brake function and adjustment before descending.
• Maintain a low speed in low gear, and use flashers to warn other vehicles of your reduced speed.
• Do not ride the truck’s brakes; this will cause overheating and possible loss of brake system.
• Consider Jake Brakes (engine compression brakes) to control the speed of a heavy truck, but the best practice is to use low gears to avoid overheating brakes.
• Keep brakes cool by pulling into brake check stations, or onto the shoulder of the road, if you can locate a safe spot.

• Maneuver the truck into the far right lane before approaching ramp.
• As the truck approaches the runaway ramp, steer straight and try to keep the wheels aligned.
• Stay in the center of the ramp to avoid rolling over.
• Once the truck is stopped, call 911 to report, even if there are no injures.
• There is not a fee, penalty or fine for using runaway truck ramps.

• Know the road
• Take the time to familiarize yourself with mountain passes
• Obey the speed limit
• Anticipate curves
• Know how far you’ll travel
• Identify public-access roads
• Find brake and chain-up stations on COtrip
• Inspect your brakes at the summit before descending.
• Locate runaway truck ramps on COtrip