2011 3500 Exhaust Brake Operation Question

[HookMeUp]

Just got this 2011 3500 and I'm trying to figure out the exhaust brake operation. Drove a 2002 for 10 years.

In the morning when I start the truck and I turn on the exhaust brake I can hear it engage to help warm things up, this I understand.

I have the exhaust brake on, the transmission in normal mode, driving around town, when I let of the accelerator I can feel/hear the exhaust brake kick in until the RPM drops to 1200-1000 and then it drops out, this I understand.

I have the exhaust brake on, the transmission in tow/haul mode, driving around town, when I let of the accelerator I can't feel or hear the brake kick in, I can manually downshift and nothing, I finally downshift to 1st and the engines races and I can feel it slowing down, but I still don't hear the exhaust brake engage, this I don't understand. It acts as if it is not working in Tow/Haul mode.

This seems to work better with the transmission in normal mode and the gear selector in drive. All this is just driving around town. I haven't had a chance to hook the trailer up and take it out. Will this work better with a load on it?

 

[JLandry]

Is it possible the exhaust brake effect is mostly being masked by the aggressive downshifting and deceleration of the TOW/HAUL mode?

Perhaps the difference would be more apparent when you're hauling a heavy load and/or towing downhill?

John L.

 

[Sticks]

I'm leaning towards something's goofy. I've driven a newer truck with the auto and exhaust brake. A little annoyed that in tow/haul mode, it slowed faster than my 02 in my sig line (like moderate to firm pedal braking feel), and in my experience, US Gear Decelerator is the best inline brake made.

Empty and surface streets in tow haul mode, you should definitely feel it, and irritate the people behind you/get accused of not having any brake lights.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Around town it won't do much. Bottom line keep the EB and TH on at all times!

 

[slingshot383]

With exhaust brake on and in Tow/ Haul mode, touch the brake pedal just enough to energize the brake lights. the truck will really haul down. In town, you're not spinning the engine high enough for the brake to kick in, or if the converter isn't in lock-up, the exhaust brake doesn't come on either.

 

[HookMeUp]

Thanks for all the responses.

I think I've got it figured out. Just driving around town I'm not going fast enough for the torque converter to stay locked up. I was able to get out to a place where I could get some speed up and put it in Tow/Haul with exhaust brake on and headed down a hill, I just applied the brakes and the truck down shifted through the gears and I could hear the exhaust brake engage. The harder you push the brake the more aggressive the down shifting is. Can't wait to hook up the trailer and see how this works with a load on it.

 

[Sticks]

Lucky you. Mine (2014 3500 6.4l Hemi) does not down shift all that much/gets the engine at higher RPMs (1700 max unless I force it into a lower gear, and going into first at 30mph is wrong). Gods I miss Diesels. I'm gonna figure out an exhaust brake for this thing.