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New to 2012 Ram 2500 Crew Cab and Cummins Turbo Diesel: Tow/Haul and Engine Brake

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New CTD Owner; New here

I'm Back - with a new ride

New truck owner, new to the Cummins. Am working on getting my ducks in a row to tow a travel trailer to the TDR CMEP gathering in June - my first time towing. Plan to go to the TDR gathering with my older son and then circle back toward home, stopping along the way to do some scuba diving with my younger son joining in as well.



Big doins for a newbie like me!



So, have looked at the owners manual. Maybe I am missing it, but all I can find seems to say that I hook the trailer up, press the tow/haul button and the engine brake button and take off. I have a feeling that there is more to it than that.



I think the tow/haul button alters the electronic control of the transmission so that shifts are more "determined" to prevent sliding in and out of gear shifts all the time.



Don't understand engine brake - how is it any different than just shifting to a manual gear and letting the compression of the engine slow you when going down a hill (I do that in my little Jeep Patriot)?



This is probably inviting a thousand different opinions, but isn't there some basic good practices while towing a trailer that a guy should consider following (other than the obvious ones of safer speed, increased stopping distance allowance, good mirror sight, etc. )?



Thanks!



Russell
 
Diesels do not have very good compression braking, with an exhaust brake it is exceptional. Use it especially when towing.
 
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