Down hill with auto & no E brake

[FMcClaren]

Ok I got my 5er raised up to match my truck ,thanks to the suggestions I got here.
I have a auto trans. and no Ebrake. Is every hill golng to be a nightmare or what?
I pull a 25ft Jayco. My truck weights more then trailer so that might help. This diesel is my first so any help from the pros would help. THANKS
ENJOY Mac B

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

Do what the owner's manual says. Shift down from OD to 3rd, 2nd, even 1st as the hill requires.

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'97 SLT 2500, 4x2 LB Club Cab, auto, 230/605 fuel plate and 215 injectors, pillar mount Isspro gauges, BD torque converter, BD valve body, BD Pressureloc, Mag-Hytec transmission pan and differential cover, 3. 54 LSD, white/driftwood, air dam, sliding rear window, towing/camper pkgs, Rhino liner, SS bed caps, stake pocket tie downs, chrome exhaust turn down, SS wheel well trim, Carr steps, Mopar mudflaps, Aerotank under seat toolbox, Cobra 75WXST CB/Firestik, J-MAC louvered aluminum headache rack and tail gate, Mopar flag/tow mirrors, Reese 15k fifth wheel hitch. Mopar Ram hood ornament, Sweet Tooth grill, and white dice. Kennewick, WA.

 

[FMcClaren]

Thanks for the comments guys. I known most of it is common sence driving and knowing what your getting into before you get there.
Just needed a word of encouragement I guess.
HAVE A GOOD ONE
MacB

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01 2500 Bright silver QC A/T 4x4 LB 3. 54

 

[RATTLINRAM]

Mac B,
I towed our 1986 26' Nomad 5er to Wisconsin and back with no problems. I reckon your rig & mine probably are in the same weight range. In fact, I may even be a little heavier due to the Nomad's age and the fact that my wife takes HALF THE HOUSE with us! I agree with the previous posts, take your time. If and when we decide to get a bigger 5er, I will install an E-brake, but for right now, the mountains of West Virginia & Virginia didn't seem to require one.

Note to Rattlin from RI,
My truck license plates read "RATTLIN"
It just seemed to fit!

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Dennis in VA
"RATTLIN" *1999 2500 SPORT QUAD CAB* "RAM"
IntenseBlue/SB/Cummins/4x2/auto/3. 54AS/4whlABS/Camper&TowPkg/
Keyless/Leather/TravelConGrp/SecuritySys/6spkrCD*Cass/Strngwhlcntrls/
WestinTubeSteps/SoftTonneau/15k RBW 5th-WheelHitch/26'Nomad 5er (looking for a bigger one) and a way to take my HARLEY too!

 

[Rambling]

Sorry, that my posts tend to be long. But not too sorry. #ad


MacB,

I don't do much on the hills anymore since moving to the right coast, but one of the key things is not to be in a hurry to reach the bottom.

I have an ebrake. When I washed my engine and I got water in the sinter that caused the vacuum switch to not work. I did this just before my last trip. With the trailer brake controller adjusted properly and not being in a real hurry to reach the bottom of a long steep hill, I didn't need the ebrake nor ride the brakes to keep the speed down.

There is some engine braking but not as much as with the gas engine when in 3rd. If you are in 3rd and over 35 mph, you will have some engine braking because the TC will be locked up. Under 35, the TC will disengage and it will feel more like free wheeling. If it's a tight twisting road, this is when you're more likely to start riding the brakes excessively.

I don't think you'll have a problem if you always error on the side of caution. -This comes from a guy that tends to be a little lead footed #ad
. - While towing, you might try a little practice on some small hills to get a feeling for the braking action of not only the truck but the combination as well.

Go forth and enjoy.

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<font color=#990000>~<font color=#990000> '99 2500 SLT <font color=#990000> ~ QC ~ 4X4 ~ LB ~ Auto ~ 4:10 LSD ~
<font color=#000000>*<font color=#990000> BD E-brake<font color=#000000> *<font color=#990000> BD Autolock<font color=#00000> *<font color=#990000> Gear Vendor OD<font color=#000000> *<font color=#990000> Jordan Research 2020 T-brake <font color=#000000> *<font color=#990000> Bullhide spray-in Line <font color=#000000>*
<font color=#000000>*<font color=#990000> 2k Komfort 5'er - 9,700 lbs <font color=#000000> *
<font size=-2>... Lookin' for the 'RE' to go in front of my 'TIRED' so's I got more time to Play!... <font size=-1>

[This message has been edited by Rattlin (edited 03-04-2001). ]

 

[Roger Ledbetter]

Check and keep your rear brakes adjusted as the self adjusters don't work proper. I overheated my front disk coming down the mountain last fall. See Scary Braking experience. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum17/HTML/001165.html
Thanks to all who gave me advice #ad

Uh... oh maybe you have 4 wheel disk brakes? If so You are lucky!

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'98 12V 3500 Dually Std Cab, Auto, 3. 54, Banks Stinger Plus, Sun Coast TC. BD valve body, BD Pressureloc



[This message has been edited by Roger Ledbetter (edited 03-06-2001). ]

 

[Bob Stephens]

Up until last weekend I towed a 10K 5er with an auto and no ebrake. Took it to Colorado last year and across the Montana Rockies to the Black Hills the year before. You have to just take it easy. Also, though, do like the big rig drivers do, don't ride the brakes coming down. Brake rather hard to a slow speed and then let the rig pick up speed to where you want to be. This gives the brakes a chance to cool between applications. Riding them down easy will heat them up for sure.

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2001. 5 White 3500 Quad Cab 4x4 Sport SLT+, ETH/DEE, 4. 10 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Tekonshs Sentinel Brake Controller, ICOM 706MkIIG HF Radio. Preparing to add Guages, Line-X, 20. 5 Pullrite Hitch, DEE-ZEE FX Running Boards, Exhaust Brake,(maybe more later). Pulling 99 Hitchhiker II 30RK fiver and 2001 Alpenlite 35RK fiver on order.
Ham Call: AF9W/7

 

[Bill Stockard]

Bob,

I see you "graduated" from an automatic to the 6 speed too. I did the same thing last year(Dec '99). The 6 speed puts fun back in towing heavy 5th wheels. I don't know if you have tried out towing in the mountains yet, but you will love the way the exhaust brake works with the manual shift transmission. Also you won't drop 20 MPH waiting for the automatic to shift from OD to direct when you punch the button. The 6 speed gear splits are arranged so it is easy to keep the engine in the power band while shifting down climbing grades.

Send me an e-mail when you tow the new Alpenlite. I'd like to know how the truck handles it.

Bill

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Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, ECM Controlled PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, Rancho 9000, Air Lift 5000 Air Bags, TOYS: '97 Hitchhiker II 31' 5th Wheel, 2 slideouts, 19,750 GCW, '94 Lance 990 11' 3" Slide-In Camper, Torque-Lift Camper Tiedowns

[This message has been edited by Bill Stockard (edited 03-09-2001). ]

 

[Champane Flight]

Having 17 years of mountain trucking,maybe a couple of hints on braking. On big rigs with Jakes I try to come down the mountain not useing any brakes at all. Select a low gear that will keep your speed down and just use trailer brakes to slow if you have to. Contrary to popular belief hitting your brakes hard and then letting up will not only heat your brakes up,but can allow oxygen between shoe and liner causing a fire!In the old days(before Jakes and E brakes)we used to select a lower gear and apply a light amount of air to the trailer brakes and hold it. We are talking approx 5# of air. Of course this is not possible with electrics.

So I set trailer brake controller to sensitive(where trailer brakes activate as you just touch pedal). Pick the same gear or one lower than you pulled the hill in. And come down the hill saving your truck brakes for emergency stop. Useing only trailer brakes and then just for short periods and watching for any signs of heat(smoke or loss of braking). If you heat-em up,stop,take a break and let em cool off,then pick a lower gear when you resume. Remember to check all conections and brake shoe condition on your trailer and truck before heading up the pass. On the way down is not the time to find out you have a problem.

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop. 72000 as of 3/1/01,not even broke in yet. Old Dodge 126000 miles and running better than new.

 

[BigMike]

Mac, Do yourself a big favor, save your brakes and add years to your life. Invest in an E Brake. Your nightmares will cease!

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1999, 2500, 4X4, QC, Laramie SLT, 5 spd, KN Filter, ISB Plug n' Power, 4" Exhaust, Piller Mount Pyro & Boost Guages, BD Exhaust Brake, Bugshield w/eyebrows. Bedliner, Diamond Plated Rail Protectors, Better Built tool box.
Pull a 2000 30. 5' Terry Manor 5th Wheel. GVRW 12000lbs.

 

[FMcClaren]

I,ve been thinking that to Mike, I,m going to wait alittle while and make sure the trans and tc are going to be alright. I only got 300 miles on it. I,m putting 5th wheel rails in now. I can hardly wait to try a pull with it, This my first diesel.
Thanks for the came back Mike.
ENJOY THE RIDE Mac B

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01 2500 Bright silver QC A/T 4x4 LB 3. 54

 

[LandShark]

Mac B: On the big hills: Don't be afraid to slow down a bit and use your transmission and brakes. Be sure to adjust the rear truck brakes and trailer brakes. Be sure to adjust your brake controller properly.

As far as the e-brake goes: If you drive at the maximum possible speed all the time you should get one. Otherwise it's far cheaper to replace brake pads and shoes. You can buy alot of diesel for what it costs for an e-brake and transmission mods. Brake shoes and pads only cost a few dollars and take a few minutes to install. A good (DTT) VB and torque converter will run close to $2000 installed plus another $600 for the e-brake!

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1995 2500 SLT Club 4x4, auto, 3. 54, 3300 pound Elkhorn slide in camper, AirLift air springs, Ricka dual wheel adapters (used only with the camper on), K&N, DC tow hooks, Rancho RS9000, Hellwig rear sway bar.
110,000 miles and counting.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

Mac B;
If you are still under factory warranty, which it looks like you are you might want to think again about installing an e-brake on an automatic. I thought I saw somewhere the Dodge Boys said that was a no-no and would slap your hand if you came in with transmission problems and an e-brake under warranty. Just my . 02 worth

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96 2500 4x4 Driftwood auto Warn 4x boards pyro,boost,trans temp on a piller, mag hytec trans pan, Reese 15k 5th wheel hitch Pulling 200 Alfa Ideal 31RL

 

[One Old Dog]

I have got a question. I just got a set of towing mirror and would like to know if there is a brace that goes on the door to support the long mirror. I have got a plate that fits behind the mirror plate is that all that you need. Thanks Joe

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Dirt Water Fox