White Knuckels about mountains

[atvteem]

I haven't seen any updates, lately,on the possibility of a warranty approved exhaust brake for my model year from Jacobs. Is their a chance or am I just out of luck. Just bought a new 5th wheel camper and wish to travel the mountain passes of Colorado. Although I have 4wheel drive, can I depend on the transmission to hold me on the downhills?



Thanks for your help,

Gary Webb



2004, 2500HD, 4x4, Automatic, All stock, 5. 9

short bed.

 

[nps]

No warranty-approved brakes for an '04. '06 is the first year. But you can get an aftermarket transmission that will work with a brake.

 

[DPKetchum]

Make sure trailer brakes and controller work correctly.

 

[ScottLewis]

No warranty coverage in the event the exhaust brake causes problems. The e-brakes do place stress on the transmission and won't do any good without some aftermarket means of locking the torque converter. That said, I was willing to take the chance and install one on my '98. I had no regrets since it made a huge difference in towing, especially in the mountains. My transmission held up although I had a couple of improvements made to it.

I now have an '06 with a Dodge approved Jake brake and love it.



Dan

 

[byoslandry]

I haven't seen any updates, lately,on the possibility of a warranty approved exhaust brake for my model year from Jacobs. Is their a chance or am I just out of luck. Just bought a new 5th wheel camper and wish to travel the mountain passes of Colorado. Although I have 4wheel drive, can I depend on the transmission to hold me on the downhills?



Thanks for your help,

Gary Webb



2004, 2500HD, 4x4, Automatic, All stock, 5. 9

short bed.

Gary

I did every one of the passes in Colorado last summer with my 04 CTD QC 2WD AUTO with no exhaust brake.

If the grind up or down in a pass and it was a long pull or descent, I'd pull over and let the temps go down.

Remember, your transmission generates heat going up a pass as well as going down a pass.

When I would top the pass, I'd pull over and let my temps get down, then proceeded to go down in that same gear. I mostly used 2nd with my automatic going up as well as down.

White knuckle. No, but I had some concern about my trailer brakes and my service brakes. I hoped that neither one or both of them went out.

Now, I pull with a 2006 CTD QC 2WD WITH A DODGE EXHAUST BRAKE.

Dodge will never put out an exhaust brake for the 2004 or 2005. I'd suggest to go aftermarket if you are out of warranty only if you want a brake and can pay for repairs if you have a transmission problem. Dodge IMHO will not honor any warranty on the drive train if you install one.

Drive the passes carefully and you will do just fine. Enjoy Colorado, it's a beautiful state, especially when you're listening to a Dodge diesel.

 

[atvteem]

Byron, Thanks for the info. I have pulled the passes for two years with my stock set up, but the new trailer is about 2100# heaver when loaded. I have Elect brakes on the trailer and a good controler. Seems the transmission gets a little hot going up, but as you suggested, I stop and let it cool. I guess I am just overly concerned as I am pulling a 5th wheel trailer now with my short bed truck as opposed to a bumper pull tht I had prior. If I could add an exhaust brake it would give me the peace of mind.

Thanks again for your input.

Gary

 

[atvteem]

Thanks to all of you fellow diesel heads out there that responded. I am new to the diesel thing, even though I bought my truck new, I am not hip on all the mods that can make it run better, but... ..... I am learning.



Thanks for your help

 

[JFlagg]

No warranty-approved brakes for an '04. '06 is the first year. But you can get an aftermarket transmission that will work with a brake.

I don't know about '04, but I had a Jacobs brake put in my '02 at the dealer when I bought it brand new, it was covered under my warranty. Never had a problem with, always performed perfect, so no need to use the warranty, but just thought I'd add my 2 cents.

 

[DrDiesel]

I haven't seen any updates, lately,on the possibility of a warranty approved exhaust brake for my model year from Jacobs. Is their a chance or am I just out of luck. Just bought a new 5th wheel camper and wish to travel the mountain passes of Colorado. Although I have 4wheel drive, can I depend on the transmission to hold me on the downhills?



Thanks for your help,

Gary Webb



2004, 2500HD, 4x4, Automatic, All stock, 5. 9

short bed.

Who cares about the warranty if your Dead. Buy a brake and use it manually.

What would the warranty issue be, and should that stop you from running one... .

 

[JFlagg]

Thats very true, warranty won't fix your truck if you run it off the road 'cause you can't stop! Though, I have hauled trailers for years in CO. before I ever had an exhaust brake and never had a problem. Just stay in a low enough gear and make sure your trailer brakes work. You'll never go back after you have an exhaust brake though...

 

[JRMora]

I don't know about '04, but I had a Jacobs brake put in my '02 at the dealer when I bought it brand new, it was covered under my warranty. Never had a problem with, always performed perfect, so no need to use the warranty, but just thought I'd add my 2 cents.

The issue is with automatic transmissions.



That said, I have a 6 speed, but I run a Pac Brake. PM TDR member "Jelag" and he can get you information about what would be needed to safely run a Pac Brake on a third gen auto. You will need a transmission lock up controller and an exhaust brake. The two are required for the transmission to stay locked up, thereby making the exhaust brake actually finction.



I use my Pac extensively - towing or not, and I wouldn't go without one towing in the mountains.



Juan