Exhaust brake effectiveness with NV5600 vs 48RE

[CChase]

I am looking for a replacement 2004 truck like the one I've got but in a short wheelbase, but it's really hard to find a short wheelbase truck with a manual like I want. I currently have the 6 speed with a PacBrake and am OK with switching over to an automatic, but am wondering if the exhaust brake can be as effective and functional with the 48RE with only 4 gear ratios to use to slow down instead of 6 and do you have the ability to force a downshift to control speed.



A search didn't reveal any direct comparisons between the two so, has anyone ever used an exhaust brake on both. Are they equally effective or was one a better driving experience than the other? If it matters, I will be adding the PacBrake PRXB brake and this will be in comparison to the "standard" PacBrake that I have on my current truck.



Thanks in advance!

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

I recently acquired the '05 auto truck listed in my sig. It has the "tow/haul" button on the end of the shift lever. I deliver campers for a living and was somewhat leery of an auto after having had 6 speeds. Must admit I have been pleasantly surprised with how well the auto works in "tow/haul" mode. The only trip I have had so far where I could test out the downhill braking capability of the transmission in "tow/haul" mode was over Monteagle in TN with a bumper hitch camper that had a GVW of 11,400 which is quite heavy compared to most campers. The "tow/haul" feature keeps the torque converter locked up with the foot off the accelerator or brake. I did shift down to 2nd gear and the engine held the speed at 50 mph all the way down without touching the brakes. It worked great with that weight of camper, but with a heavier 5th wheel I would probably like an exhaust brake on it.

BTW, this truck has 425,xxx miles on it and I do not know the prior history of transmission or torque converter rebuilds/replacement. The torque converter lock up programming in the "tow/haul" mode is well suited for towing. Not sure what year this feature was added.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[jelag]

We have several trucks and have had the old design and now have the PRXB's on all our trucks. . We also have some experience with autos and sticks. . we actually removed the old brakes and installed the new brake on a 03 auto, 04, 04. 5, 05, all 3500's, all dually's except the 04. 5 which is a SRW.

1st, the autos will always allow the Torque Converter to slip some, and the auto will release the fluid pressure in the auto at a little higher rpm so I'm going to guess that the auto will have 10% less performance than the stick... for best performance the truck must be switched to tow/haul

2nd. . when we towed a 12,000 lb trailer with the old pacbrake we'd be at our limit on a 6% grade and have to add back some service brake... . the same truck 05 3500 dually changed over to the PRXB now handles a 14,000 lb 5er on the same grade with no problems and we see the limit closer to the 15K lb trailer before brakes have to be used...

Remember that each person does this differently, but for us, if we go up the hill 5th we'll go down the other side in 4th and let the pacbrake hold the load...

The key with the PRXB is to allow the truck to get to a good rpm 1800-2000 and let it work. . on some 4-5% grades we're actually having to turn off the exhaust brake to allow the truck to roll a little faster...

We've towed with our 04 a 20K lb trailer and know that 20K lbs exceeds the ability of the PRXB to control the load, and to be honest the 20K lb trailer is a little more than the truck wants also...

The other key factor is that the 04 went close to 160K miles towing that 20K lb trailer before it needed its first brake job... . the 05 currently at 110K miles still has the factory brakes and has 35% or so of the pad left...

 

[CForman]

I tow a 15000 LB 5th wheel with my 05 3500 47re. My truck tore-up 3 stock trannys under waranty from dodge about 35000 miles apart each time. I knew that this was inevitable given the constant towing verses the transmission design. The 47 I had built after my waranty ran out is great it has totaly changed my towing time. A 2 disk converter , valve body , shift kit , and larger lines has made a great diffrence in the long hall 120000 miles on her and still towing The break is going to be added soon to mine but you may want to beef yours up if you are towing alot!!

 

[CChase]

Thanks all for the feedback, that is helpful, I think for the time being I will plan on sitting back and waiting for the truck I want with a manual rather than going to an auto as it seems from what I'm gathering, it isn't quite as effective at using the exhaust brake...

Thanks again!