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Old 07-02-2015, 11:23 AM   #1
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How Effective are Exhaust Brakes on TVs?

Recently I test drove new diesels with stock exhaust brakes. Of course, they weren't towing anything, but engaging the EBs did not result in any noticeable braking action on the Ford or either of the lesser trucks. Must admit, the salesmen with me knew nothing, so I was pushing buttons on my own. Was I wrong to expect braking similar to down shifting a gear or two as happens with my Pacbrake even without a load?
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Old 07-02-2015, 11:41 AM   #2
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I had a Packbrake on a 2001 Ford and I get much more braking action with the Dmax . Coming done a long steep grade just set the cruise and the e brake and transmission will maintain your set speed very well. I would think the new Ford or Dodge would be the same.
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Old 07-02-2015, 11:53 AM   #3
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Will it hold back on a downgrade without a trailing load? I use the Pacbrake instead of braakes on the long descent from home to highway when not pulling.
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Old 07-02-2015, 11:57 AM   #4
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Do you mean 'Hill Descent'?
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Old 07-02-2015, 12:33 PM   #5
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LOVE my Exhaust break on my dodge:

11,000lb 5er pushing me downhill from the continental divide in Colorado ( Eisenhower tunnel at the top is at 11,200 feet )

7 mile , 7% grade down

Touched the brakes once or twice to force the Transmission to downshift, but in tow mode and Exhause brake engaged, it held the down hill speed at 45mph the whole way..... not using service brakes at all!

I mean - WOW, what a machine!

I can only imagine what the guy behind was thinking, not seeing my brake lights.
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Old 07-02-2015, 12:41 PM   #6
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I had an '11 F-250 6.7 and the exhaust brake was helpful but not great. The '14 Ram 2500 Cummins we have now has a much better exhaust brake. That being said... Both require a certain RPM range to really be effective. With the exhaust brake active I don't need to use the brakes near as much or as hard.

Read up on reviews on the exhaust brakes across manufacturers and you'll find Ford has one of the weakest. I think I read that the 2015 revision of the 6.7 was supposed to address that to some degree though. I've owned all three and really don't have a huge preference one way or the other...
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Old 07-02-2015, 12:51 PM   #7
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The Ford's need a trailer connected to notice. It all goes through the RCM and wheel sensors to determine operation. (standing still, active, etc.) You have to set the speed with the pedals. The system will maintain that speed until you press the switch again, no longer on a downhill grade or the system disables itself for cooling.
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Old 07-02-2015, 02:56 PM   #8
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Do you mean 'Hill Descent'?
If I understand the question, yes, we drop 600 to 700 feet from our home to Highway 24, depending on which route we take to which road to the highway. Sorry if I'm not understanding your question.

"Descent" has one definition: Medical Definition of descent by Merriam-Webster "1. : the act or process of descending from a higher to a lower location <descent of the testes into the scrotum."

Couldn't resist!
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Old 07-02-2015, 03:44 PM   #9
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Will it hold back on a downgrade without a trailing load? I use the Pacbrake instead of braakes on the long descent from home to highway when not pulling.
Yes it will.
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Old 07-02-2015, 03:50 PM   #10
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I drove a new Ram 3500 DRW a few weeks ago, the exhaust brake was very noticeable to me and we were empty. Haven't tried the ford out.
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Old 07-02-2015, 04:18 PM   #11
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The 2015 DURAMAX with the cruise on and in tow/haul, pulling the fiver, will keep it close to set speed. It usually kicks in when speed hits 3 mph above cruise setting and then backs the speed down very effectively. It also kicks in without towing.
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Old 07-02-2015, 04:24 PM   #12
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I have a '14 Ram 2500 with the factory EB. I love it! Works great weather I'm towing or not. 1st real use was on Memorial Day weekend. We went to Palo Duro State Park (Amarillo, TX area). I believe the grade down to the canyon was 10%, put don't quote me on that! I never hit the brake or the accelerator and traveled down into the canyon at 20-25 MPH. Well...., I exaggerate a little bit....there were some 90 degree turns that I had to negotiate, but I was glad I purchased the truck and wasn't still using the wife's SUV!


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Old 07-03-2015, 01:20 PM   #13
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I thank everybody for the responses. I drove all three, Dodge, Chevy and Ford. And like I said, none of the salesmen had a clue, so there's a good chance the EBs weren't engaged properly. I will say, while I grew up on Mopars, the cars stunk in the 70s and I went to a couple Chevs and GMCs before switching to Ford. It may be time to take another look at the Ram, although the Glory Guts Ram phalic commercials make me cringe.
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Old 07-03-2015, 01:56 PM   #14
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I chuckled at the "lesser trucks" comment. I can not speak for the Ford or Duramax trucks, but the exhaust brake on my Ram is pretty awesome, loaded or not.

On a side note, current Ram/Chrysler/Dodge products are not the same as in the 70's by far. Interior of my Ram is every bit as nice (and nicer in some aspects) than the Chevy or Ford trucks, but that's a matter of opinion.

Ignore the commercials, let the truck speak for itself.
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Old 07-03-2015, 02:01 PM   #15
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Got my first experience using it with our new 351RSTS (15,500 GVWR) and I really like it. Used in conjunction with the Tow/Haul mode, there was a noticeable difference in control on steep declines. After just a few minutes of turning it on/off, I really felt it was a big help so I just left it on all the time.
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Old 07-03-2015, 04:11 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jmooney View Post
Touched the brakes once or twice to force the Transmission to downshift, but in tow mode and Exhause brake engaged, it held the down hill speed at 45mph the whole way..... not using service brakes at all! I mean - WOW, what a machine! I can only imagine what the guy behind was thinking, not seeing my brake lights.
Last Sunday we returned from LA via the Grapevine (I-5), with the combination of the exhaust brakes and in tow mode, we hardly knew the trailer was back there. Very quiet and I felt extremely safe!

[The Grapevine was infamous for its high accident rate before the road was straightened and widened. There are escape ramps branching off both sides of the downward part of the road for heavy trucks whose brakes fail on this very long, 6% steep and now straight grade.]
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Old 07-03-2015, 10:02 PM   #17
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15k fiver and the eb on my 2014 ram 3500 is fantastic. Towing through mountains of west va there r some good and long grades and the eb works flawlessly
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Old 07-03-2015, 10:53 PM   #18
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The EB on our Duramax has a very noticeable difference towing or not even with tow mode not engage.
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Old 07-04-2015, 01:28 AM   #19
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The EB on my 2012 works great, but is far more noticeable when towing a load. My EB will even slow TOO MUCH without the cruise engaged. The newer Rams have an improved EB with two stages.

You have to try one.
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Old 07-04-2015, 06:59 AM   #20
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I have a 2011 F250 Ford with 70,000 miles on it. Checked the brake pads during the last oil change. There is virtually no ware on the the pads. That is a direct testament as to how well the transmission brake works. Im sure all manufacturers are close on this technology but the Ford takes all stress out of steep long grade changes. The transmission is very, very intuitive when in tow mode. I rarely ever touch the brakes in the mountains.
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