I have coined the Mountain Directory eBook Review for RV, Truckers and Motorhome Drivers to help drivers access the inaccessible mountain terrain easily. Apparently, driving in the mountains is not an easy task. On one side is a cliff and on the other side, a sheer drop.
So, one needs to know how to keep from smashing his vehicle into the rocks or from falling into a thousand feet deep ravine. Hence, even trained drivers need to learn the art of driving on the mountains. Driving a large vehicle over steep inclines and then maneuvering steep slopes requires driving skills. This art is taught to you in this digital guide.
Mountain Directory eBook Review
Name of the Product – Mountain Directory eBooks
Target Niche Area – RV, Truckers and Motorhome Drivers
Written and Published by – R&R Publishing Company
Types of eBooks Sold – 2 in Total
Mountain Directory West eBook – $17.00
Mountain Directory East eBook – $15.00
User Feedback – Very Good and Positive
LeanAndFit Reviewer Rating – 4.7 out of 5 Stars
How to Drive Your Vehicle on the Mountains?
A Brief on the Author:
The author of Mountain Directory eBooks is known as RW. He was born and brought up in the mountainous state of Kansas. In this region, driving your truck or your RV (Recreation Vehicle)can be a challenging task as the steep ingredients and sheer drops make it almost impossible for a gentle ride.
In the early days, the author drove a Mobile Scout Traveler wherein his entire family went. They drove everywhere with a trailer attached and never had a problem ascending or descending the steep inclines.
Later, the author started driving a truck. This way, he managed to view all the mountain passes and also managed to earn a living. It also perfected his mountain driving skills. He experimented various ways to descent and ascent a steep incline and perfected this method.
To learn more on how to drive in hills, he quit his job. Thereafter he took a small loan and started driving his truck. He drove from San Diego to California and crossed Main several times.
In total, the author drove 60,000 miles and covered over 700 mountain passes. He then compiled his experience of driving in such hazardous terrain in two books. There were many stretches in the mountains wherein the speed limit, the escape ramps, incline gradients, number of lanes, curves, signboards and speed limit were missing.
This can be hazardous as no books or Google Apps would ever tell you of these vital live saving signs in the mountains. After coining the books, the author took a small loan to run the first print of 5000 copies. He was skeptical of its success.
Nonetheless, his books were instant bestsellers. They have sold over one hundred and twenty thousand copies and even made into eBooks. These have been upgraded several. His books contain information on using the vehicle aptly, the terrain, driving directions and even the best time to stop.
Difficulty in Driving Large Heavy Vehicles in Mountains:
Since the year 1993, R&R Publishing Company has been collecting information regarding steep grades as well as various mountain passes. This was done so as to make the driving experience of RV’s to be safer and much more convenient.
When you climb uphill, you need to know which gear to engage your vehicle into. You also need to be a proficient driver while maneuvering a sharp curve. Moreover, you also need to know what lies ahead and what the permissible speed limit is.
All this becomes even more daunting when you are driving a truck, a large RV or a heavy vehicle. This is when you need to know every inch of the road ahead. This in turn would help you plan out your journey is an easy and safe manner.
The Distinct Advantages to Heavy Motor Vehicles
A total of 700 mountain passes as well as steep gradients belonging to twenty two different states in America have been covered via these two Mountain Directory eBooks.
When you read these guides, you get to know whether there is an escape ramp, whether the roads have two or four lanes, how steep is the incline, whether you need to keep your vehicle within a certain speed limit, are there any switchbacks and if there is a sharp curve in your track.
These two eBook have covered every inch of mountain terrain that you would be crossing. Hence, you have the distinct advantage of knowing whether to start your drive in the early hours of the morning to reduce pressure on the engine or not.
Moreover, you also learn whether to unhook your towing vehicle while going uphill or coming downhill. All this would make your driving way easier and safer. Basically, most of your battle is already won when you know what is in front of you when you drive.
The Printed Version of Mountain Directory: The original printed version of the Mountain Directory guide is also available. There are a total of 240 pages and the presence of color relief maps makes it easy to follow the directions. Each mountain pass is highlighted with the help of a triangle. The color of this triangle is yellow.
The eBook Version of Mountain Directory: Here, you can download the maps and when you click on the yellow triangle, a piece of text appears. This text contains everything that you need to know about that pass.
Inside Facts on Mountain Directory eBooks for RV, Truckers and Motorhome Drivers eBooks:
Truck Drivers and the Harsh Mountain Passes:
It has been known the world over that drivers who travel the mountainous path are either wary of trouble or they have already been in trouble. Driving a truck on narrow winding roads that have steep inclines with 60,000 tones of weight is not an easy task.
While driving down an RV with a lot of weighted load, you need to be very careful while making the decent. Most often than not, if you are unaware of the decent, you can jam the breaks as much as you like and yet the speed of your truck would continue to increase.
Your tires would smoke fire and there may come a time wherein you might want to think whether to crash on the cliff or the trees ahead, as your truck does not seem to listen to your commands.
Maybe you are driving a rig and your vehicle just does not agree with you when you want it to climb a steep incline. Even on the first gear, it is failing to respond and you wonder whether you would slip and fall down thousands of feet in the gorge.
The biggest issue with truck drivers driving uphill or going downhill is the lack of knowledge on the number of miles that they need to cover. You often wonder how many miles would such a stretch continue, whether there is a sharp curve ahead or an escape ramp available.
Facts on Passes descents and Inclines:
It is a well known fact that people usually would like to gather all possible information on the mountain passes. Most directories on mountain passes often miss out on intricate details.
Facts on the road ahead and the options available to make your driving a pleasurable affair are provided in these two guides. Moreover, it has also been noted that one vehicle may pass an incline in a different way as compared to another vehicle.
The Mountain Directory eBooks aim to help you not only understand the terrain, they also guide you how to drive through them. This involves, the gear shifter, the angle of your steering, the break usage, the air-conditioning usage and using the heating component properly.
Addition of gadgets to boost horsepower and reduce stress on the brakes is also explained in this guide. These additional devises help reduce additional pressure on the engine. Some of these include auxiliary transmissions and gear splitters.
Pros and Cons of Reading this Guide:
Mountain Directory eBooks for RV, Truckers and Motorhome Drivers Review has identified a few positives and negative points linked to this digital guide. Allow me to share the same with you:
The Advantages:
>>> You have hands-on view of what lies ahead on the road. You can keep track on all possible obstacles that a mountainous path may throw at you.
>>> This guide teaches you the correct way to drive on mountainous terrain.
>>> It teaches you the art of maintaining your vehicle in peak condition, so as to ensure that you may never really encounter any issue while driving on mountains.
>>> This eBook has been written by a trained truck driver. The author has covered over 60,000 miles and successfully crossed over 700 mountain passes.
>>> The price of this guide is affordable in nature. The first eBook covering the West Coast costs $15. The second eBook covering the East Coast costs $17. If you purchase both eBook, it would cost you $25.
>>> These eBooks are a boon for RV Motorhome drivers. They are also an excellent help for truck drivers.
>>> You have 60 days to try these digital guides and test their actual worth. If for any reason you dislike them, you can always return them back to its rightful owner and seek a refund.
The Disadvantages:
>>> In case you do not like to drive in the mountains, this guide is of little use for you.
>>> Even if you are an experienced driver but you do not wish to gain more experience, this guide may not be of help. You need to be willing to learn in order to reap the desired benefits.
How to Drive Your RV/ Motorhome/Truck Safely Over Steep Gradients?
>>> Confidence is the Key: Like it or not, you need to exhibit confidence when you are driving a motorhome uphill. When your RV is being driven against gravity with its humongous weight, you need to be very careful.
When you are driving uphill, ensure to keep a patient mind, as you would be driving your vehicle rather slowly. You should not rush at all. Just maintain a slow speed and keep going uphill confidently.
>>> Give Correct Indication to Vehicles Behind You: You need to tell others following you that you are going to slow down considerably. This can be done via switching on your hazard lights. When the lights start to blink behind your vehicle, others following you shall be informed of your intent of going slow.
>>> Adjust Gear Modes and Opt for a Lower Gear: When you are going uphill, your RV or Motorhome shall demand higher amount of power. So, downshift and if possible, opt for the Haul Mode wherein your RV shall adjust its gear system optimally to give you the most suitable speed while climbing uphill.
>>> Shift Gears While Going Downhill: When you are descending, you need to be watchful of your speed. Do not rush as this is an instinctive action when you are driving against gravity. Simply downshift and opt for a lower gear to keep the speed in check.
If you have automatic transmission, simply apply the brakes. This action shall automatically direct your RV/ Truck/ Motorhome to downshift. At the same time, you need to maintain a slow speed as applying breaks can be quite tough when your downhill speed is high.
Watch Your Breaks: While going downhill, you need to keep a close watch over the breaking mechanism of your vehicle. You would not want your break shoes burning and not working when you need them to work most.
Application of breaks should be between 10 seconds to 15 seconds. Thereafter, release the breaks. Re-apply the brakes when the need arises maintaining the same time-gap (10 -15 seconds).
Avoid a Screaming Engine: You need to try and ensure that your engine is not grunting, growling and worse- screaming while going uphill. Keep a gentle foot on the gas and accelerate evenly.
When you push too hard on the acceleration, your engine tends to get overloaded. This also increases the chances of a break down and reduced your vehicle’s overall lifespan.
Tips to Prepare Your RV/ Motorhome / Truck for Steep Grades
Steep Grades can be both uphill as well as downhill. Hence, you need to keep your vehicle prim and proper in order to get the best out of your machine. Basically, your RV or your Motorhome needs to be capable enough to handle the obstacles that are thrown in its way.
@@ Keep Your Engine Fine Tuned: Ideally, whenever you are out for a long trip with your family, you should get your RV serviced from a trained mechanic. The coolant, hear oil and the engine oil needs to be changed.
At the same time, you should also try and get rid of any dirt that may be obstructing engine performance. The radiator as well as the belts needs to be cleaned properly. In case of hoses as well, regular cleaning is required.
@@ Never Ignore the Breaks: Like it or not, the most important part of your Motorhome is the break. Check whether the brake shoes are in good condition or are they worn out. If it is the latter, replace them with immediate effect. Brake fluid too needs to be replenished as and when the need arises.
@@ Maintain Good Tires: The quality of your tires should be good if you would like to keep your truck firmly planted on terra ferma. In case your tires are worn out, they would lose out on grip. This can be dangerous when you are going downhill and need to apply breaks.
@@ Check the Engine Temperatures: When you are negotiating a steep incline during the hot weather season, chances are that your engine might be taking a beating. This is true if you are rushing up the steep incline rather than going slowly.
In case the temperature needle starts to tilt towards the danger zone, turn off your air conditioner. If it still continues, slow down on your acceleration and turn the heater on. If this does not help, simply pull over and without turning off the engine and press on the accelerator a couple of times. The engine’s temperature should normalize pretty soon.
@@ Compressor Needs to be Used Efficiently: The compressor of your engine can rescue you from tough situations. Simply press down a couple of times on the breaks only when needed. If possible, avoid using the breaks as often as possible. This shall keep your RV running smoothly without any hitch.
@@ Use Parking Break in Emergency Cases: In case your break fails then, you are in for some serious trouble. This is especially true when you are going downhill at high speeds. Try and pump the breaks a couple of times as this shall help slow down the vehicle.
Moreover, you need to try and pull the parking break to further slow down your vehicle. In the worst case scenario, you might want to rub your RV’s body against the side rails. This again shall relatively slow down the vehicle. Switch on the hazard lights and blow the horn to warn other drivers.
Two eBooks Offered by RW (The Author)
Mountain Directory East Coast:
This is the first eBook that RW has compiled. It concerns the eastern coast of America. This guide is covering eleven states in the United States of America. The states include North Carolina, New Hampshire, Tennessee, New York, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Vermont. This guide shall cover over three hundred passes. It even covers all the steep grades based out of these 11 states. It costs $15.00.
Mountain Directory West Coast:
The second guide written by RW covers the western coast of America. There are four hundred states steep inclines covered in this guide. All of these are covering the eastern section of United States. Over four hundred passes are also included in this guide. The cost of this eBook is $17.00. The states covered include Wyoming, Arizona, Washington, California, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, New Mexico, Montana and Nevada.
What is My Take on it?
I ordered both eBooks and read through them before compiling my Mountain Directory eBooks for RV, Truckers and Motorhome Drivers Review. I personally liked the detailing that has been included in this book. Each and every aspect that can be considered vital for driving a heavy motorized vehicle in the mountains has been covered here.
The price too is well within the reach of most truckers. I mean, what is paying $25 worth for drivers earning $5000 to $10000 a month? Not much, I guess – not more than a meal’s cost. Moreover, it is backed by a 60 day refund guarantee. Nothing can get better than this!
If I were to take a call on Mountain Directory eBooks for RV, Truckers and Motorhome Drivers eBooks, I would give them a Grand Thumb’s Up!