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Old 05-31-2017, 09:04 AM   #1
Twopetes
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Exhaust brake vs. Disc brakes

Sorry if this is a repeat but I did not find anything in the search

I am considering upgrading to disc brakes on our HC-353RL. My BFF who drives a Dodge 2500 (nice truck) swears by his exhaust brake, which my F-250 does not have.

Just wonder peoples opinion. If I upgrade to a F-350 (hopefully not to far down the road), I would try to get the exhaust brake, but I still like the idea of the disc's. We plan on traveling West in the future and think the disc brakes would be a good idea.

Just looking for comments

Thanks
 
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Old 05-31-2017, 09:23 AM   #2
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Get both. Safety is important.
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Old 05-31-2017, 09:46 AM   #3
Twopetes
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That was actually my plan
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Old 05-31-2017, 10:23 AM   #4
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I run with the Exhaust Brake on all the time and our unit also has Disc Brakes. BTW will never have a heavy 5er without Disc Brakes.
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Old 05-31-2017, 11:48 AM   #5
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I have both and agree with previous replies ESPECIALLY the disc brakes!
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Old 05-31-2017, 03:35 PM   #6
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Exhaust brake is really beneficial to minimize speeding up while on downhill grades, general speed reduction, and helps some in stopping but only a slight improvement over without it. Trailer disc brakes really focus on stopping the trailer much quicker and also have less issue with heat fade/heat build up. You definitely want both but the help in different areas
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Old 05-31-2017, 04:25 PM   #7
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Since brake fade will not necessarily be an issue when you are going down hill, and the exhaust brake is doing all of the work, then how much quicker do the disc brakes stop a 5th wheel trailer than the stock drum brakes in a sudden stop situation? Are there any stopping distance numbers to compare with like they do on automobile tests. Since there is no time to heat up and fade in a sudden stop situation, how much quicker will the disc brakes stop you than the drum brakes? Just curious, before I go out and do this upgrade?
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Old 05-31-2017, 04:37 PM   #8
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Disk brakes will stop a heavy trailer in much less time than the best electric from brakes. Exhaust brake will slow you down, but will not stop you when somebPrius jumps out of a side road
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Old 05-31-2017, 04:42 PM   #9
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I know in theory Disc brakes are better on a car than drum brakes, because of the fading issue. But in a sudden stop situation when the brakes are cold, does anyone have some numbers for us to look at? I know my Viper has 4 large disc brakes, but they mostly did that to get rid of all of the unsprung weight. I know they stop better, but how much better?
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Old 05-31-2017, 05:40 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twopetes View Post
That was actually my plan
Good plan
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Old 05-31-2017, 06:09 PM   #11
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My truck doesn't have an exhaust brake, but I added the Banks Speedbrake. It helps control speed, especially downhill and we are safer with it. However, I think a disc brake upgrade is in my future. Everything I've heard about them has been positive. Do both!
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Old 05-31-2017, 06:40 PM   #12
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If you do some google searchs you should be able to come up with some charts. I know I've seen them but just can't remember exactly where. I think the average that I've seen was approx a 50% improvement in braking performance.
I know when were we in Alaska and came around a curve and two Mountain Goats darted across the road in front of us, our friends following thought for sure we would be having Goat Stew for supper, but we got stopped with room to spare.
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Old 05-31-2017, 06:44 PM   #13
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OK, sorry to be a pain in the a--, but you know it takes a locomotive a mile or so to stop, and it takes 60 feet of dually one ton truck and 42 foot long 5th wheel pretty long to stop as well, so does adding disc brakes for around 4-5k really going to make a difference when someone stops suddenly in front of you? We all know we need to keep 3-4 seconds between us and the car in front of us, so I'm not sure even having disc brakes is going to save you from crunching the idiot that cuts in front of you and slams on the brakes?
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Old 05-31-2017, 07:08 PM   #14
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I haven't seen any quantitative numbers on stopping difference that I recall but everyone I talked to and also my experience is they provide a noticeable improvement in stopping power.
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Old 06-01-2017, 02:04 AM   #15
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Once you pull a trailer with Disk Brakes you will never pull another trailer without them.
You need both. The exhaust brake saves your wear on your brakes in the mountains.
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Old 06-01-2017, 07:01 AM   #16
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Thanks for the comments. (didn't want to start another truck war type post!!) I think both options would be a great plan. My HC 353 has 6K axles (but 16" tires and 8 bolt hubs) and I have priced the disc brake system for under $2K - if I install. Which I think I can. I hope to hang up the spurs this time next year so I have a little time but I see a disc brake conversion in my future.


thanks again for the feedback - safe travels
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Old 06-01-2017, 08:46 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twopetes View Post
Sorry if this is a repeat but I did not find anything in the search

I am considering upgrading to disc brakes on our HC-353RL. My BFF who drives a Dodge 2500 (nice truck) swears by his exhaust brake, which my F-250 does not have.

Just wonder peoples opinion. If I upgrade to a F-350 (hopefully not to far down the road), I would try to get the exhaust brake, but I still like the idea of the disc's. We plan on traveling West in the future and think the disc brakes would be a good idea.

Just looking for comments

Thanks
Steve,
If you're happy with your pickup, BD Diesel makes an exhaust brake for out 6.7. For about 600 plus labor (it's plug and play) you can have the same exhaust brake as the new trucks.

Mark
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Old 06-01-2017, 09:49 AM   #18
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I just installed disk brakes myself for $1306. I have 6k axels.i had to adjust my brakes to 7.5 to prevent wheel lockup (2017 f350, hc 305). Id say if I adjust disk brakes to 3 it would be equal to electric brakes I had. This Montana came with terrible brakes. The brakes on the other 2008 Montana was better but nothing like the disk brakes I have now. If I prevent one accident then the disk brakes paid for themselves plus the headaches.
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Old 06-01-2017, 09:54 AM   #19
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OK, what disc brake kit do you buy, and is there a video showing installation, or should i have a dealer do it?
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Old 06-01-2017, 01:49 PM   #20
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They say a exhaust brake will help your truck brakes last five times longer!
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