Scary braking experience...

[CoastyAV8R]

My wife and I were on our way to Mammoth Mt in our 2001 ETH 4x4 towing our 24ft trailer when we were going down a 12 mile steep grade on very twisty road. I didn't do very well at modulating the brakes and wound up getting them hot enough to where the truck was very apprehensive about stopping. I finally got it stopped but it really made me realize how much I need an exhaust brake. I had always thought that only the guys towing the big 5th wheels need them, but now I realize that even with my 6,000 lbs trailer as well as bed full of motocross bikes and gear I need one. I have done looking around and have heard good things about the Pac Brake and BD exhaust brakes. How hard are they to install? I already installed the pyro, fuel pressure and boost gauges. Other than that the truck is stock, which is how I plan on keeping it after I get an exhaust brake. Any recommendations on where to get a good price and service?



Thanks,

Pat



One good thing happened, I had a Duramax towing a trailer the same size as mine on my butt driving down a flat stretch. He keep peeking out looking like he wanted to pass. I thought "Well, if he wants to pass he can pass me on the upcoming hill when I move over". Once we hit the passing lane, I kept the Cummins singing going up the hill and by the time we got to the top, the Duramax was a mere speck in my rearview mirror. My wife was impressed by the Dodge's pulling power, however the adventure down the hill got her shorts in a wad...

 

[Wolfgang]

Was that Conway summit by Mono Lake. I just towed over it a month ago. I have a pack brake and a 10,000 lb 5th wheel. I dropped of the grade in 3rd gear (automatic) with out hardly touching the service brake. Since it looks like you have a six speed you won't need any kind of controller. The Pacbrake is one of the best investments I have made. BD and and a couple of others out there have brakes to and I haven't heard any body complain about them. Not sure where your from but Camping World installs the Pac Brake and so does Herb at Custom Truck in Yuba City

 

[Ted Constantine]

Coasty,



The install on your truck is very easy. I did not do the install of the brake itself of mine, Massdiesel did it, but is did the wiring. Even when you are not towing a brake is great. I really like the BD brake. It's braking power range is perfect or me. I like the price on the pacbrake and found no bonus to the Jake as every one seemed to want to much for it. I used a two speed switch on the stick adn highly recommend this with a manual.



Take the plung you will love it



Ted

 

[Wolfgang]

Sorry Coasty I read the post again. Your right at Camping World there in Rocklin

 

[WestTN]

scary...

I have the Jacobs Ebrake on my ETH/DEE. I bought the kit at my dealer and installed it myself. It hooks to the ECM and is controlled automatically. The only thing I don't care for is that it currently does not activate the brake lights. My trailer weighs 7700 lbs and the brake helps a lot. 24,000 miles and the front pads still look almost new.

 

[DRR-24V]

Go For The Pac Brake !!

Pac Brake is a nice unit and very easy to install yourself. Great instructions. I got mine at www.Truckpartseast.com and they were good to me. I am affiliated with nobody.

 

[johnmoore]

I concur with DRR-24V on the PacBrake from Truck Parts East. I ordered mine last Monday and received it the next day. It was an easy install even for me with my average, maybe, mechanical skills. Plus their price is tough to beat.

 

[TowPro]

I bought the BD because it has more stopping power at the lower RPM's that I drive at. I love it. Having not every tried anyother brake I can't compair, I bought mine because of the RPM as noted above.

 

[cwsoules]

Exhaust Brake

I have a Pac Brake and love it. If you have an automatic transmission a Pac Brake may not be all you need. I have had good luck of 6% and lesser grades by toping the hill in cruise control and the exhaust brake on. On greater grades the rig will accelerate and the transmission will shift to unlocked and I had only truck and trailer brakes to slow the rig. I went with a Diesel TransmissionTechnology TC, VB and Smart Box and seldom have to even think about touching the brakes.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Pat, I have a 24 Kit Companion 5er about the same weight as yours, plus a tool/fuel tank that adds another 400+ pounds of weight to the mix - and we just came back from Twin Lakes via Monitor Pass and Markleyville - purposely to test both the pulling power and brakes on the new truck, as well as the hold-back ability provided by the 6 speed transmission...



Well, let me tell ya, it works GREAT! - took it pretty easy, most upgrades were in 4th gear at 35-40 mph, controlled by curves in the road, NOT power available - and on the downgrade, used 3rd or 4th, depending on road conditions, only tapping lightly on brakes ocassionally to keep revs under 2500...



Based upon my experience, and the assumption that Monitor Pass is at LEAST as steep as what you traveled, I can't imagine why you feel the need for more stopping power than your truck provides in stock form...

 

[jjdiesel]

Just installed my BD from Piers. Piers is awesome... talk to him, he carries more than just BD's brake. You need to decide if you want a turbo-mount or an in-line exhaust mount. Makes quite a difference which way you go, especially if you plan to mod down the road.

 

[Ron Bissett]

Get the brake

Safe stop with a exhaust brake is the way to go . The choise of brake is up to you , www.pacbrake.com has a chart on most major brands and all are good , read all the info and then chose one but do get one , most are a do it your self if turbo mount down stream not so . any one with a few tools can do it . LOL RON IN LOUISVILLE KYOo. Oo. Oo.

 

[RustyJC]

Actually, Dodge recommends an e-brake for manual-transmission trucks if you tow over 10,000 lbs. The Jacobs e-brake is one of the best accessories we've added to our truck - we tow a 13,500 lb 5ver. Whatever brand you use, I highly recommend an e-brake if you tow heavy.



Rusty

 

[CoastyAV8R]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to get one just for the added safety margin. The 6 speed is what saved me going down Monitor Pass, I just feel that my wife need a little bit more of a safety margin. I learned a valuable lesson and anything that will keep us out of the ditch or from catching on fire, I'll do it. I guess that our towing weight is around 9,000 lbs which isn't as much as some of you guys pull, but it is heavy enough to validate getting an E-Brake. Should also cut down on replacement underwear...



Thanks,

Pat

 

[hchristy]

In keeping with this thread... what about the Banks Brake? Haven't seen comments about this brake. Does it perform as well as the others or is it an inferior product? Need an education.



Thanks.

 

[Mr. Brewski]

Just installed an E-Brake myself - Havent pulled with it yet - $575 at Mechanicsville Dodge http://www.mechanicsvilledodge.com/

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by hchristy

In keeping with this thread... what about the Banks Brake? Haven't seen comments about this brake. Does it perform as well as the others or is it an inferior product? Need an education.



Thanks.

Price, and the clame of adding HP , thats why. Ron in Louisville KY:-{} :--)

 

[LarryB]

Originally posted by hchristy

In keeping with this thread... what about the Banks Brake?

Here's a 50 post thread on just that subject. >> https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33654&highlight=BEEF

 

[DHatfield]

I only tow 6000 lbs as well and I would not leave home without an exhaust brake in the mountains. I rarely if at all have to touch my brakes. I have a BD brake though. But in my opinion they all are good as any other.

 

[David Oxland]

Once you've got it, you'll wonder how you got along without.