BrakeSmart

[Grizzly]

The new BrakeSmart I installed a few months ago is awesome and everything everyone said it would be. I hadn't had a chance to try it until last week. We took a trip around Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado with many high passes. It was as smooth as it could be. I am very pleased with it and I believe it's worth the money. Thanks to those of you that encouraged me to get it.



On that week long long trip we saw some of the most beautiful country you will find anywhere.

 

[Grizzly]

I had such a great experience last week and the week before going over high elevation mountain passes in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado with my new BrakeSmart that I have to ask the question. Do I really need an exhaust brake? I used the same gears to go down the passes that I used to go up. My loaded 5er is about 10K. Wolf Creek Pass is about as tough as it gets and I never felt I needed more braking.

 

[Radshooter]

I use my exhaust brake extensively when pulling our big fiver. I can come down some pretty steep hills without even touching the service brakes. The exhaust brake will not replace the service brakes, but it is a great supplement and will greatly extend the life of your brakepads. My Jordan 2020 does a great job, but I still rely a lot on my exhaust brake, even without the trailer.

By the way, if you ever get up around the Grand Canyon and camp in Tuba City, look me up. I will buy the first cup of coffee!!

 

[Grizzly]

I use my exhaust brake extensively when pulling our big fiver. I can come down some pretty steep hills without even touching the service brakes. The exhaust brake will not replace the service brakes, but it is a great supplement and will greatly extend the life of your brakepads. My Jordan 2020 does a great job, but I still rely a lot on my exhaust brake, even without the trailer.



By the way, if you ever get up around the Grand Canyon and camp in Tuba City, look me up. I will buy the first cup of coffee!!

I'll take you up on that cup of coffee and we will be going to the Grand Canyon.



Back to the Exhaust Brake, do you think I need it for the small size of my 5er, 27', 10K? If I do get one, it will be a PacBrake.

 

[Radshooter]

Just let me know when you want the coffee.

I would recommend the exhaust brake for anyone who tows anything. But, I tend to overprepare. I have the Jacobs which is vacuum driven. If it ever gives up the ghost, I will look at the PacBrake. I hear lots of good stuff about them. Plus, it is compression driven, which means you can tap into the compressor for onboard air for tires and such.

 

[RVTRKN]

I'll take you up on that cup of coffee and we will be going to the Grand Canyon.



Back to the Exhaust Brake, do you think I need it for the small size of my 5er, 27', 10K? If I do get one, it will be a PacBrake.

It would be nice, but not necessary. Your NV5600 will work for with the light load, and with the DRW you should have plenty of stability. However if your going to tow heavier, I would recommend it. My 2500 does just fine with same weight you pull and although I would like one, I can't justify it.

 

[JRMora]

Griz,



One bonus of the EB - I'm still on my orginal factory brake pads at 100k miles. My '97 would go through a set in 20k.



I use my brake even when not towing and it really is nice for reducing the wear on the service brakes.



Juan

 

[Grizzly]

Griz,



One bonus of the EB - I'm still on my orginal factory brake pads at 100k miles. My '97 would go through a set in 20k.



I use my brake even when not towing and it really is nice for reducing the wear on the service brakes.



Juan

Hi Juan. I know, exhaust brake is nice to have and it will save your brake pads, however brake pad are cheap, more especially since I do my own brake work. The original brakes on my 95, which towed my, then, 29' 5er and my, then, Lance camper, lasted 76K miles. I never replaced the rear drum shoes.



As RVTRKN said, maybe if I tow a heavier 5er, which I have no plans to do. Our 27' Arctic Fox is already too big.

 

[CKelley1]

get a bd and you will never regret it i have the brake smart and the bd on my 5th wheel hauler and bd on my other trucks as well, i use the bd exhaust brake every time i stop or slow down empty or pulling, your brakes will last 5x longer and the next trip in my state and colorado you will really love the way it handle the downgrades, and that brakesmart is the best controller i have ever had

 

[MMeilicke]

My combined gross weight is around 23,000. I have gone down Wolfe Creek Pass when my exhaust brake failed. I could not control my speed without using the brakes even though I was in third gear in my six speed manual. Rather scary. I would not be without an exhaust brake.

 

[TAbbott]

If you get the exhaust brake (I have the PacBrake PRXB) the only question you will be asking yourself is: "Why did I wait so long to get this?" An exhaust brake is a great addition to any diesel pickup.

 

[Grizzly]

If you get the exhaust brake (I have the PacBrake PRXB) the only question you will be asking yourself is: "Why did I wait so long to get this?" An exhaust brake is a great addition to any diesel pickup.

I know you're right and eventually I'll get the PacBrake. However, right now I'm not 100% convinced I need one. I believe spending the money on an auxiliary fuel tank is more important.

 

[HBarlow]

If you get the exhaust brake (I have the PacBrake PRXB) the only question you will be asking yourself is: "Why did I wait so long to get this?" An exhaust brake is a great addition to any diesel pickup.

I agree. It provides "free" braking and greatly improves the control you will have over your rig.

 

[Grizzly]

I agree. It provides "free" braking and greatly improves the control you will have over your rig.

Deep down I know you're right and I will eventually get the PacBrake, but after my great experience towing my 27' 5er through high mountain passes in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado with the BrakeSmart installed, I never felt I needed it.



I do understand what you, TAlbert, JRMora and others are saying. It's a peace of mind and safety factor.

 

[Ragain]

I wouldn't drop off a hill without my Jacobs EB.

True, the BrakeSmart gives more confidence in braking control, but when I am going down the 17 mile 6% grade on I-17 south of Flagstaff grossing nearly 40k, the last thing I need is to smoke the brakes when I'm only halfway to the bottom. *WHEW*

 

[HBarlow]

Grizzly,



I understand your position. We can't buy every toy in the toy catalog immediately and an aux fuel tank is a great addition for any truck pulling an RV trailer.



Eventually, you'll buy and install an exhaust brake and the reward it provides will be at least as dramatic as the BrakeSmart, probably even more. You'll be saying to yourself, "why didn't I install this thing when I bought the truck?"

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly,



I understand your position. We can't buy every toy in the toy catalog immediately and an aux fuel tank is a great addition for any truck pulling an RV trailer.



Eventually, you'll buy and install an exhaust brake and the reward it provides will be at least as dramatic as the BrakeSmart, probably even more. You'll be saying to yourself, "why didn't I install this thing when I bought the truck?"

You're right, I will get an EB probably sooner then later. If I was going anywhere near Spokane, I'd have Jim of Pacific Clutch and Brake install a PacBrake. I'd like to install my own, but I don't how difficult it would be. Does anyone have any recommendations for a local shop to install one?

 

[MJarske]

Grizzly,



I've had the Brakesmart for over a year now at its outstanding... . in combination with the EB ... . amazing... next disc brakes on the trailer.

 

[JCasper]

You're right, I will get an EB probably sooner then later. If I was going anywhere near Spokane, I'd have Jim of Pacific Clutch and Brake install a PacBrake. I'd like to install my own, but I don't how difficult it would be. Does anyone have any recommendations for a local shop to install one?

I haven't read this whole thread, but he Pacbrake is a pretty simple install.



And if you didn't feel like completing it all in one day it wouldn't be a huge deal.



Just but the elbow on the back of the turbo one day and do the rest another day.

 

[Grizzly]

I haven't read this whole thread, but he Pacbrake is a pretty simple install.



And if you didn't feel like completing it all in one day it wouldn't be a huge deal.



Just but the elbow on the back of the turbo one day and do the rest another day.

How many hours did it take you to install the PacBrake? I don't know what you mean when you say about an elbow on the back of the turbo since I don't know beans about the installation. Can I download installation instructions for the PacBrake?