Morning all,The wife and I where discussing vacation plans. We were talking about places to go on vacation. Colorado came up. We haven't been out west in quite a while. Never been there with a TT or 5th wheel. We currently have the truck and 5er in Sig. The truck is stock. Is an EB really necessary to go to the mountains? I have been researching a mod to use the exhaust back pressure valve as an exhaust brake. Has anyone here done this? We haven't decided where we will go on vacation this year, but if we go to mountains I want to be ready.Thanks, John

I have the one dodge put in. Way better then the pac brake I had on the 03. It makes me feel better having one. keep from burning up service brakes.

I drove an F450 for 10 years sans exhaust brake. I wished I'd had one in the mountains, but, in over 100 thousand miles my brakes never needed service. Now that I do have one (engine brake) I love it and wouldn't be without it.

My prior TV was a 7.3 PSD Excursion. I did the EPV exhaust brake mod and it made a night and day difference. I was towing a 10k loaded TT.Towing in the WV mountains the exhaust brake made a huge difference. It's nice to descend under control vs. riding a roller coaster!

IMHO Since we all tend to put a little more weight on our vehicles than we should, I think so. Even though it looks like your rig is sufficient, I honestly believe every little bit helps. I don't think you have to not go anywhere without it right now, but I would get one. I got one on my 90 250 and immediately noticed the assistance in braking. Have had one on every engine since. Wouldn't plan on not having one anymore.

You are in luck as the warm up butterfly in the turbo can be tricked into a surprisingly good exhaust brake for not much money. If you have the manual tranny a simple toggle switch putting 12V to the plug on the turbo will work. With a auto it's more complicated as you need to lock up the torque converter even if you spend big bucks to put one in the exhaust pipe.Years ago you could buy an electronic exhaust brake for the 7.3 on Ebay for less than $100.. There was a chip maker that had one but I cannot find it now. Do a google search to find how to do this as it really works and with a diesel in the mountains you really do need an exhaust brake.

Is exhaust brake really needed? | Good Sam Community

44 Replies

Leeblev
Explorer
Feb 28, 2014
IMHO Since we all tend to put a little more weight on our vehicles than we should, I think so.
Even though it looks like your rig is sufficient, I honestly believe every little bit helps. I don't think you have to not go anywhere without it right now, but I would get one. I got one on my 90 250 and immediately noticed the assistance in braking. Have had one on every engine since. Wouldn't plan on not having one anymore.
Lantley
Nomad
Feb 28, 2014
My prior TV was a 7.3 PSD Excursion. I did the EPV exhaust brake mod and it made a night and day difference. I was towing a 10k loaded TT.
Towing in the WV mountains the exhaust brake made a huge difference. It's nice to descend under control vs. riding a roller coaster!
2oldman
Explorer II
Feb 28, 2014
I drove an F450 for 10 years sans exhaust brake. I wished I'd had one in the mountains, but, in over 100 thousand miles my brakes never needed service.

Now that I do have one (engine brake) I love it and wouldn't be without it.
hammer21661
Explorer
Feb 28, 2014
I have the one dodge put in. Way better then the pac brake I had on the 03. It makes me feel better having one. keep from burning up service brakes.

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Is exhaust brake really needed?

44 Replies

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