Exhaust Brake, yes or no?

[PRyker]

TDR,



A few months ago I ran across a "brand new in box" Banks exhaust brake for a CTD. I got it for a steal! I was not sure I could use one or even wanted one but figured I could always sell it for much more anyways. I pull a 7500 pound trailer about 5% of the time and rarely over any real steep grades.



I am new to this forum and have read a lot over the past week or so and so a lot of rave reviews of the e-brakes and what a difference they make. I am considering installing it but I have the following questions/concerns:



1. Will it void my warranty?



2. Will it cause premature wear on the engine itself? I am quite leary of something that will place backpressure on the engine (exhaust valves, turbo, etc... ) and wonder if it really makes sense.



3. I am adding rwhp to my setup and wonder if having an e-brake will affect this? an edge EZ and bigger injectors.



4. I will be installing a transmission from DTT and will be using their "smart Controller" so I can take advantage of the e-brake. Any reason why this would not be advisable?



5. What do the members think about the Banks e-brake? It was so cheap that I could always sell it and buy a better one if advisable?



Thanks ahead of time!!

 

[IWeiny]

Is the best thing I have ever done to my truck

Even with the auto you will not be dissapointed. There is so much more control even just in traffic, even if you don't drive any grades it will pay off.



I know it will be a bit harder on the engine but from what I understand do you really care if it takes 10K, 20K, or even 50K miles off your 400K miles before the first rebuild. If it prevents one accident, my safety and the safty of my family are worth that.



just my opinion,

 

[illflem]

I wouldn't be without my exhaust brake but if you rarely leave Florida I see little use for one.

 

[RustyJC]

We tow a 13,500 lb 5th wheel that puts our rig on the road at 21,180 lbs GCW (21,500 lbs GCWR). An exhaust brake is a must have for us. Not that anyone probably cares, but Dodge strongly recommends an exhaust brake for towing 10,000 lbs and over if you're looking for an arbitrary break (pun intended) point.



Rusty

 

[BFaoro]

Mountains

Here in Colorado I wouldn't go with out one. We have a few nasty hills. Then if you add a trailer it is that much worse to slow down.

 

[BWilson]

I have had my Pacbrake for over 300,000 miles and it still works great!! Most of my driving is unloaded and generally in traffic. I love it. As for wearing the engine, I have 440K on mine so far!!!

 

[y-knot]

This is one of those "you don't know what you are missing, till you get one" deals. it took awhile for me to buy one, but I was waiting till I got the new trany, and I think that made sense. With the stock weakling dodge sells, I don't think t would be worth it. Also If you did not use some sort of automatic control unite, I think you are doing yourself a dis-service. I really like having the compression braking, and I love the sound.

 

[tntway]

i absolutely LOVE my PAC brake..... AND I DON'T EVEN TOW!!!!!!



but i AM saving wear and tear on my brakes and it's a ton of fun too.

 

[PRyker]

Thanks guys for all of the great feedback. So, what do you guys know about the Banks e-break? Should I install it or go with something else? The Banks guys said something like "It is not public knowledge yet but in two weeks we will announce that our e-brake will be an option available on new dodge trucks with the CTD". I was very surprised he said that. Is he trying to fool me?

 

[Deezul1]

I just returned from Colorado and went over Raton Pass and Wolf Creek pass towing our 6500# trailer and didnt use the brakes hardly at all. I use mine all the time even when not towing, its great.

 

[BWilson]

Things I would look for in a brake is how it relievs pressure. The Pacbrake uses a hole in the butterfly which is pretty loud (whistles). The BD brake uses a pressure reliving cylinder to actuate the butterfly. I do not know which mehtod the Banks uses. So, the sound quality is better from the BD, but it has more moving parts than the Pacbrake so I don't know the longevity.



Sorry if this doesn't necessarily asnwer questions, but at least it will get you asking the right questions.

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by PRyker

The Banks guys said something like "It is not public knowledge yet but in two weeks we will announce that our e-brake will be an option available on new dodge trucks with the CTD". I was very surprised he said that. Is he trying to fool me?

Since the Jacobs e-brake carries both Mopar and Cummins part numbers, and since Cummins and Jacobs work together extensively to test and qualify the Jacobs e-brake for use on the Cummins, I'd take the Banks salesman's statement with a grain of salt!



Rusty

 

[illflem]

I also wouldn't believe the salesman, after all he is a salesman.

But if the Banks brake had been available when back when I bought my BD I would have gone with the Banks instead.

Might cost a little more but their products are very high quality.