Air brakes on Class A diesel pusher
Hello, we recently purchased a Fleetwood diesel pusher. We have been on 3 short trips with it. It is equipped with air brakes - when switched on the RV will slow when my foot is off the pedal. I rea...
Forum Discussion
tropical36 wrote:Mondooker wrote:
You guys are correct, air brakes do not turn on and off, they are constantly on with the engine start. Most diesel pushers have a gauge or trouble lights on the dash showing that brakes and airbags are fully aired up.
As for the slowdown you've noticed its your exhaust break or Jake brake that is slowing you down. You should see a three position switch on the dash allowing you to set it to High (maximum of breaking), Low and off.
Most folks leave the exhaust brake on at all times EXCEPT in icy or wet conditions. Especially true if your coach has a tag axle.
Just to be clear, both Pac and Jacobs make both exhaust and engine brakes, with only the engine brake having a switch selection of braking strengths. These are only found on the higher end coaches and are superior in braking performance. Granted that Jake has the market on engine brakes and seems that Pac has the market on the exhaust type.
And lets not forget transmission retarders. Many Foretravels don’t have exhaust brakes but have transmission retarders.
