Exhaust brake efficiency - Page 2 - Montana Owners Club

Dam Worker · 08-01-2018, 06:58 PM

I am pretty sure that most new trucks with the exhaust brake do a fairly good job of slowing the vehicle down or maintaining the speed. My Ford did a great job on steep mountain passes of keeping me exactly at the speed that I set it at. I found out that I liked auto mode as all I had to do was double tap the brakes and it would use the exhaust brake and transmission to hold my speed. Manual mode was more of a chore to make sure I was pushing the right button.
In most of the reports that I read all three worked well some almost to well as you had to disengage manually or you would end up going slower than you wanted.

Tom Marty

MARK A · 08-01-2018, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfryk

We have a 2003 Dodge 2500 with the 5.7 Cummins pulling a 2015 3160RL and are considering adding an exhaust brake. I am familiar with how they work but have heard varying comments about how effective they are.

Comment please.

I put disc brakes on the trailer. I have no issues whatsoever with down hill braking, and the overall braking is so greatly improved it’s not funny. I don’t feel the need for an exhaust brake.
My .02

Mark

mtlakejim · 08-01-2018, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARK A

I put disc brakes on the trailer. I have no issues whatsoever with down hill braking, and the overall braking is so greatly improved it’s not funny. I don’t feel the need for an exhaust brake.
My .02

Mark

I won't argue that disc brakes are a very good upgrade for the 5er and I plan to do it at some point (along with several other upgrades related to safety). The exhaust brake will not fail like brakes and the OEM Ram version we have automatic system takes the fuss out of having to manually maintain your speed downhill. You simply set the speed you want at the top and it holds you there all the way down the hill. Granted it is a somewhat expensive add aftermarket but I would not order a NEW truck without it EVER! And I rank it above both changing out the china bomb tires and disc brakes on the trailer as critical to mission particularly if you drive in the mountains a lot like we do. Yeah its that good.

dfryk · 08-01-2018, 11:34 PM

We had disc brakes installed when we purchased our 2015 3160. They are absolutely the bomb in city driving. When you need to stop, you STOP. I wouldn't buy another 5er without them.

We have had a number of long downhills where the did just fine. Never overheated although I still want that extra margin of safety with the exhaust brake.

mtlakejim · 08-02-2018, 06:37 AM

I agree with those of you that have disc brakes. STOPPING is more important to your safety than anything else!!! That is why I also advocate for the dually and getting at least a little more truck than you minimally need. It isn’t about does the truck squat with the load or struggles up a hill it is all about how well stable can it control and STOP the load

And that’s my Nickles worth.....

Mark7 · 08-02-2018, 01:50 PM

I've got a Jacobs on my 98.5 (24 valve) Dodge 5 speed. Love the brake. I leave it on all the time unless I have some reason to shut it off. Warms the engine faster at idle as well as it remains closed then. It will hold the rig on any grade I have been on (nothing in mountains to this point) especially if I shift down to 4th gear.

CarWin · 08-02-2018, 05:03 PM

An exhaust brake/engine brake is a very good safety item on any tow vehicle!!

Since driving semi for 30 years and still going strong, I would advise anyone towing in hills/mountains to remember this 1 thing.......NEVER EVER GO DOWN A HILL FASTER THAN YOU CAN GO UP THE HILL!!!

DebNJim B · 08-02-2018, 05:51 PM

Thanks all for this thread on exhaust brakes. I have them but being this is my first truck with them I really didn't know how best to use them. I found a Ford truck forum with a very in depth discussion on the various ways to apply. I now look forward to my next ride down a hill with a load.

Dam Worker · 08-02-2018, 08:06 PM

Jim maybe you could share some of that discussion from the other forum.
Thanks in advance.

Tom Marty

DebNJim B · 08-03-2018, 04:57 AM

Here's a link, I'm new on that site so just learning my way around.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-15-16-a.html

Lot's of good stuff there if you register.

lllranchw · 08-03-2018, 04:49 PM

I had a Banks on my 2007 5.9 and it was great. When you install yours you will probably WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG ?

Mr. C · 08-05-2018, 10:26 AM

I had a B-D Exhaust Brake on my 2005 Chevy Duramax for over 10 years. It worked great and never had a problem with it. Totally recommend it. I could come all the way down a long steep incline and never touch my brakes. It was switched on with a toggle switch on my dash. It would not allow my cruise to work when it was on. You definitely need one if pulling a trailer and driving in the hills.

Mr. C · 08-05-2018, 10:35 AM

I have sworn off Banks. The Banks program caused my tranny to go into limp mode more than once. Banks would not help with it unless they were charging me. It was past the 1 yr warranty. I'm was just lucky I figured it out before tearing up the transmission. I only run it in economy mode and never in the high HP mode so I know it was because of hot rodding it. Banks are trash in my book. I wI'll never use another Banks product.