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07-31-2006, 02:35 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location:
Posts: 6
M.O.C. #1047
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Exhaust Brakes System
I have a 03 GMC 2500 HD, Duramax, Allison, 5 Speed with tow mode. I tow a 33ft.
Fifth Wheel. Thinking about getting an exhaust brake installed. From our home in WI, I have towed to CA three times and thru the Ozarks about a dozen times. I feel the Allison and tow mode has done a pretty good job, but on some of those long down grades, I’m thinking, is this best I can do? Considering the Banks Exhaust Brake and the 4 inch Exhaust System. What I’m asking is it worth the cost, it ain’t cheap!
Sure would appreciate any pros or cons.
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07-31-2006, 04:39 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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I have a Ford with the Banks Exhaust Brake. From what I've learned, you shouldn't need an exhaust brake with the Duramax/Allison combo.
Orv
Orv & Marge Schinke
2000 Montana 3555RL towed with '95 F-250 Diesel w/Banks Power Pack, TransCommand Module, Banks Exhaust Brake and Smart Lock Module, rear air bags, Trailer Saver Air Ride Hitch. Full-time, members of the Escapees RV Club. Summers in the midwest and winters in the southwest.
"Drive defensively. Be careful and be courteous."
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07-31-2006, 06:05 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pasco
Posts: 986
M.O.C. #5972
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I have a F350 7.3L SRW and have been wondering if I should get an exhaust brake. I seem to be struggling more than I should on long downgrades. I may be starting to hot at the top or be in the wrong gear, however, would this brake be a benefit to me?
Mike
F350 7.3L LB
2003 3575RL
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07-31-2006, 07:19 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Down the Road
Posts: 5,627
M.O.C. #889
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I have not found a reason to change anything on my Duramax. Potential problems that can arrise from GM about warranty coverage because of aftermarket parts has given me enough of a reason as to why I dont want one.
2004 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD CrewCab Duramax
2004 Montana 3400RL
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08-01-2006, 02:15 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by MAMalody
I have a F350 7.3L SRW and have been wondering if I should get an exhaust brake. I seem to be struggling more than I should on long downgrades. I may be starting to hot at the top or be in the wrong gear, however, would this brake be a benefit to me?
Mike
F350 7.3L LB
2003 3575RL
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Most of the Fords, the older ones, can benefit from a good exhaut brake. I know ours has been well worth the money. But I always maintain that you get what you pay for. There are a lot of cheaper ones out there. You make the choice.
Orv
Orv & Marge Schinke
2000 Montana 3555RL towed with '95 F-250 Diesel w/Banks Power Pack, TransCommand Module, Banks Exhaust Brake and Smart Lock Module, rear air bags, Trailer Saver Air Ride Hitch. Full-time, members of the Escapees RV Club. Summers in the midwest and winters in the southwest.
"Drive defensively. Be careful and be courteous."
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08-01-2006, 03:00 PM
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#6
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Boise City
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #3622
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I have an 02 Ford PSD 3.73 SRW and I was having the same problem on long down grades, so I went with a B-D brake-loc, much more economical than a Banks unit. The B-D has worked fine for about three years now.
Panhanlevern
02 F-250 PSD
00 3280rl Montana
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08-01-2006, 03:35 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 10,917
M.O.C. #420
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Currently I tow my 34' Monty with an 05 GMC with the 310HP Duramax/Allison. Prior to the 05 I had an 03 Silverado with the 300HP D/A combo towing the same Monty. With neither did I feel a need for an exhaust brake as the Tow/Mod did exactly what it was designed to do. I seriously doubt that your 03 would need one.
My first Duramax/Allison was the 03 Silverado, basically the same TV that you now have. At the big RV show in Harrisburg in Sept 03 I spoke to the Banks Factory Rep about their after market Exhaust System and he said it was not needed with the D/A combo.
Now I will point out that this question usually gets many pro/con responses. Those that have the exhaust brake swear by it and those that don't feel they don't need it. My life experiences have taught me that when a Manufacturer's Rep says I don't need it I tend to believe him. After all I would consider him the knowledgeable one and it was the perfect opportunity to sell me his product but he chose the more honest response.
Glenn
Montana Owners Home Page
RV Related Links
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08-01-2006, 05:29 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
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But, Glenn, you never get west of the Mississippi! Out west there are some **real** grades . I don't need it either on my PSD because of the turbo exhaust backpressure and tow/haul but the 7.3's don't have either of those. If I were towing with a 7.3 I'd have some kind of help on the braking. We've done 14 percent grades, both up and down (2 miles long), and that's a serious grade. In my opinion that kind of grade requires braking help, especially since these had 35 mph curves in them.
See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4
Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)
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08-01-2006, 06:01 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Spring Hill
Posts: 2,725
M.O.C. #59
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For the 7.3 people with auto tranny there are two problems while descending.
First when you start to descend yu usually tap the brake and that action unlocks the torque converter puting you on fluid flow. It will not lockup again unless you exceed a threshold speed. Not good for braking. I installed a torque converter lockup switch that keeps it locked up while descending.
The second problem is when the engine goes to idle you have very little engine braking. Therefore the exhaust brake creates backpressure to provide the engine braking.
I converted my existing EBPV valve into an exhaust brake and installed the T/C lock switch.
Now do you need an exhaust brake?
Every year I go to PA and there are at least two 8-9 percent grades. My setup allows me to descend the long grades at 50mph(T/C lock and exhaust brake on) without using my normal trailer or truck braking. This saves my linings for an emergency stop. I have seen trailers and trucks pass me with smoke coming from the wheels. On shorter grades it works good too. It saves my linings for when I really need them.
If you have got an older 7.3 and you plan mountain driving you need an exhaust brake and a T/C lock for Auto Trannys. Most commercial versions will include some for of T/C lock. Just my opinion.
Tom and Betty
1997 F250 PSD/AutoTranny
DIY Exaust Brake w/TC lockup
AutoMeter Tranny/EGT Gage
Translife Tranny Cooler
Superchips Towsafe
16K Draw-tite Slider
2000 Montana 2850RK
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08-01-2006, 06:32 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pasco
Posts: 986
M.O.C. #5972
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Thanks for the responses. Now I just have to figure out what all this means to me. Sounds like it would be '07 expense if I procede. I seem to have the most problems traveling down I-5 on the west coast. I have my rig in now for a bearing pack and brake inspection and adjustment with my F350 sometime next week for a brake job. My rotors aren't "round."
Mike
F350 7.3L LB
2003 3575RL
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08-02-2006, 02:52 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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I'm with Steve. My 7.3 Powerstroke needed something to help brake on the grades. Would I swear by it as Glenn says? Of course. If I didn't have it, I wouldn't know what I've missed. But since I have it, I don't know what I'c do without it. I do know that the first year out I burned up the brakes, rotors and calipers in my truck going through the hills in WVa. That's when a diesel specialist our of Pittsburg told me about the exhaust brake. He didn't sell me, just mentioned the advantages of having it.
If I had a Duramax/Allison or the new Fords, I don't believe I would need the exhaust brake. Pleas accept this as an opinion and not as gospel. Just my experience. Steve and I both tow with F-250s, albeit his is a lot newer than mine.
Orv
Orv & Marge Schinke
2000 Montana 3555RL towed with '95 F-250 Diesel w/Banks Power Pack, TransCommand Module, Banks Exhaust Brake and Smart Lock Module, rear air bags, Trailer Saver Air Ride Hitch. Full-time, members of the Escapees RV Club. Summers in the midwest and winters in the southwest.
"Drive defensively. Be careful and be courteous."
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08-02-2006, 04:09 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 10,917
M.O.C. #420
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by sreigle
But, Glenn, you never get west of the Mississippi! Out west there are some **real** grades . I don't need it either on my PSD because of the turbo exhaust backpressure and tow/haul but the 7.3's don't have either of those. If I were towing with a 7.3 I'd have some kind of help on the braking. We've done 14 percent grades, both up and down (2 miles long), and that's a serious grade. In my opinion that kind of grade requires braking help, especially since these had 35 mph curves in them.
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So true Steve, I have only been west of the Mississippi one time and that was only into Missouri and Arkansas but I do know many GM D/A owners that have been, some on this very forum, and report the same as I have stated. Now as the original question was about an 03 GMC with the D/A combo, I was talking about the GMs with the D/A combo, and not Fords or Dodges as I have no experience with either.
Glenn
Montana Owners Home Page
RV Related Links
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08-02-2006, 07:05 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Asheville
Posts: 502
M.O.C. #1967
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Will an exhaust brake void your warranty?
Mike & Debbie
2003 3295RK,2002 F250 4x4 Supercab,7.3,
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08-02-2006, 09:05 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Down the Road
Posts: 5,627
M.O.C. #889
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Mike,
On the GM trucks, an exhaust brake WILL VOID WARRANTY. You may want to call Ford and get the answer straight from them.
2004 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD CrewCab Duramax
2004 Montana 3400RL
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08-02-2006, 10:09 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Caldwell
Posts: 825
M.O.C. #4855
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As has been said, you will get many pros and cons on this question.
I have and 04 duramax/allison and have a BD exhaust brake on it. BD is manufactured in Canada and is very high quality. The reason I has it put on was to save brakes on both the Monty and the Chevy. My diesel mechanic said it was not absolutely needed, but that it would save brake linings on the truck ($600) and the Monty $600 or thereabouts. There are a number of many steep grades here in the west including the Syskiyous, and a number over in North Eastern California. With the exhaust brake, my revs always stayed low, temps we always normal, and I use hardly any vehicle braking at all. I'm sold on them, this after our last trip, 4000 miles. Can hardly wait until Phylly (DW)retires and we can take off on the road all the time. We are currently full timing but are only able to take the short trips (4000 miles, etc) LOVE IT!!!!!!
[IMG] http://tinypic.com/j8lbg9
.jpg[/IMG] Rick and Phyllis Trent,
2004 Chevrolet 2500HD/Duramax/Allison,exhaust brake.
2004 Monty 3280RL/slide toppers,sleep comfort bed. Full Timers since January 2006!
Gizmo the dog who thinks he's a Great Dane
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08-02-2006, 02:14 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Glenn and Lorraine
So true Steve, I have only been west of the Mississippi one time and that was only into Missouri and Arkansas but I do know many GM D/A owners that have been, some on this very forum, and report the same as I have stated. Now as the original question was about an 03 GMC with the D/A combo, I was talking about the GMs with the D/A combo, and not Fords or Dodges as I have no experience with either.
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I was just yankin' your chain, Glenn! There are some pretty good grades in West Virginia, as I recall. US 50 across that state is a beautiful drive, as is US 60 and some others.
Oops, I had in mind the original question was about a Ford with the older 7.3 diesel but maybe it was a followup question. CRS.
See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4
Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)
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