WHEN do you need exhaust brakes?

[VGiacalone]

Okay, I've read a lot of the threads about exhaust brakes here already. Everybody seems to like them, but WHEN should you consider getting them?



I'm a new owner of a 1996 CTD, I live in northern Utah at fairly high altitude, with lots of cold temps in the winter. I tow a 3 horse trailer pretty regularly.



Do I need exhaust brakes, or will by horse trailer brakes do okay for me?



Thanks again,

Valarie

(the dumb newbie)

 

[CoreyPerez]

Val,



We must be neighbors!!



I use my exhaust brake ALL THE TIME, now that I have it, I can't imagine driving with out it. Lots of time when I go up into Ogden Canyon I'll use the brake coming out of it, and those trips alone would have sold me on it. I can just down shift, and engage the brake, and no more smoke coming from the brakes at the bottom for me.



Plus, I use it around town, and I usually only need to use the brakes for the last 15' and to hold the truck at the light.



LOVE IT!



Corey

 

[RustyJC]

Officially, Dodge recommends an exhaust brake for manual transmission trucks when towing in excess of 10,000 lbs.



My 2 cents' worth - I wouldn't tow without one. We tow a 13,500 lb 5th wheel.



And, by the way, it's both the trailer brakes and the exhaust brake - it's not an either/or situation. Dodge requires trailer brakes for trailers over 2000 lbs.



Rusty

 

[dresslered]

Valarie-

Once you've tried one you'll question why the truck didn't come that way from the factory! I run my truck empty 95% of the time and just love it. There is virtually no brake dust present on the front wheels. As far as your cold temps, you can also use the exhaust brake to warm up your engine much faster as well.

 

[CoreyPerez]

The only down fall to using the E-brake all the time is the carbon build up on the temp sensor in the intake. Granted, some have said it takes 30min to clean, but it only took me about 5 minutes to pull, clean and replace. No-big deal!



Corey

 

[Deezul1]

Twice I have had some fool pull out in front of me while towing a 6000lb trailer and would not have got stopped without the exhaust brake helping slow things down.

 

[klenger]

.

WHEN do you need exhaust brakes?

Answer: Just before you crash from overheated service brakes.



The exhaust brake allows you to coast down a long mountain grade controling your speed with the exhaust brake and gear selection, while saving the service brakes for panic stops. I have pulled my 5er over many of the Colorado mountain passes, and rarely have to use the service brakes to control speed.

 

[smartineau]

Tell the wife it is all about keeping you, her the kids and the horses safe. She will agree I have driven two Rams with exhaust brakes and loved them. That is why in two weeks my Pac- Brake is going on.



Towing a trailer up and down those hills in Utah, you truly need an exhaust brake, running empty it would be a great benefit. Your service brakes will be there when you need them and your service brakes will last much longer.



steve

 

[TPCDrafting]

I've had trailer brakes fail on me on more than one occasion. Once they quit, you could be screwed. I drove mine for about a year without it. Just couldn't swing it. I say start saving for it, you won't regret it at all. I know your new, but it's just one exhaust brake, but more than one sounds cool. hmmm Your horses will thank you as well having a nice smooth ride down the hill. Get one and get a gear shift switch, it makes it all that easier to use.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by CoreyPerez

The only down fall to using the E-brake all the time is the carbon build up on the temp sensor in the intake. Granted, some have said it takes 30min to clean, but it only took me about 5 minutes to pull, clean and replace. No-big deal!



Corey

Good reason to use anti-sieze on the probe.



Valarie, to get the maximum benefit out of an exhaust brake, you need to upgrade to the 60lb exhaust springs. Else, you need to minimize the back pressure.



If you do go with the brake, watch using it on slippery surfaces like a greasy or iced up road. They can lock up the rear wheels enough to cause a skid.



Number one BOMB in my book.

 

[CoreyPerez]

This isn't intended as a "Ah ha, mines better", but if you have a heavy bumper pull trailer (or we can use my 2600# empty) trailer we can take turns making the run through Ogden Canyon and back, first with your truck, than with mine. I'm sure if you aren't sold by now, you won't want to drive your truck until you get one after this little "test". When you do get one, get intouch with amsoilman on the TDR, or I should beable to locate his E-mail address. he lives in Roy, and saved me BIG MONEY on my BD brake. LOVE IT!



CoreyOo.

 

[VGiacalone]

I'm sensing here that I probably had better start saving my pennies and make this the next upgrade. I sure appreciate all these enthusiastic responses!



Corey, we are sort of neighbors. I live in northern Cache Valley, about 1 1/2 miles from Idaho. Glad to hear of other TDR members around northern Utah.





And Steve, I know there is no way for you to know, but I AM a woman and the owner of this truck! There is no husband, and my teenage son bought a Chevy (sigh) last winter. Now that I have my Cummins, he is GREEN with envy! But I'm sure the horses WILL appreciate being kept safer!



Thanks again!

Valarie

 

[CoreyPerez]

When you get your brake, and if you need any help, just give a holler!



Oh, and there are a lot of TDR'ers around here!



Best of luck,



Corey

 

[Fireman]

An exhaust brake was the 1st thing I added to my truck, and has been worth every penny paid.



Fireman

 

[JJW_ND]

In Mountains = Need on the plains=Want

I have pulled trailers with and without EBrakes in Dodge Diesels. I have pulled most miles out here in the great plains (flat and windy). But I have put on several thousand miles in the Mountains of MT, ID, and WY.



My personal Dodge has never had a Ebrake and I find no reason to have one on it. I hotshotted the first five years with it. In a panic stop situation, the Ebrake will not save your bacon. Your primary service brakes (trailers included) will or your toast. I got 100K out of the first set of brake pads and over 100K out of the second..... NO EBRAKE! This truck never pulled in the Moutains but did pull over 30K gross several times.



On the my govt work truck (2001 ETH DEE) we have Ebrakes. In the moutains grossing 20K going to MT passes I would not be without and EBrake. It is the long steep slopes requiring constant brake pressure that will kill your service brakes. Ebrake is all that is needed.



If I knew I was pulling in the mountains very often I would have an EBrake even in my person truck. If I was only pulling in flat country (ND, SD, NE,KS,IA, MN..... ) I would not get an Ebrake.



jjw

ND

 

[smartineau]

Valarie,



Sorry for that assumption, you know what they say about assuming things.



There just seems to be very few women here on the TDR. Take up the test drive offer you will be sold.



steve

 

[VGiacalone]

I'm already sold - when all of your responses say the same thing - it's a pretty good indication of a solid answer! Of course, I've been reading all the other posts about this, and now just have to decide on what brand of exhaust brake.



I know this is a personal opinion, but I'm also finding out that some of the more popular brands aren't available for the 12 valve. Does the fact that mine is a 12 valve make a difference in what type is best???



As far as women on the TDR, I'm sure that's true. You ought to see the looks I get when my 5'4" body climbs down from this truck. I either had to get nerf bars or carry a stepstool to get in and out!



Thanks for all your continued input!

Valarie

 

[dresslered]

You ought to see the looks I get when my 5'4" body climbs down from this truck.

My wife is a school teacher and is only 5' tall and occassionally brings my (our) truck to school just to show the kids whose really boss! I'm really happy with the Jacobs but you'll probably be just as pleased with many of the other brands mentioned here on the TDR. The only real differences in mounting an exhaust brake on the 12V is that you will have to put in the heaver exhaust springs and will have to rely on a mechanical switch rather than the ECM. A nice shifter mounted switch will solve the latter. Good luck!

 

[smartineau]

Valarie,



off the e-brake subject, has the KDP (killer dowel pin) been fixed on your truck?



If you are not sure have one of the guys/gals near you look, and if not find a member that knows how to fix the problem.



steve

 

[VGiacalone]

Steve,



Thanks for the advice. The KDP is very next on my list. We do have a diesel shop in town, so I'll go see if they know Cummins, if not, I'll be back on asking for MORE advice!



Valarie