I'm a flatlander from the gulf coast. I've only been out west once but I loved it and want to go back. I've looked at several smaller class c or class b+ rigs. Some are gas and some are diesel. Found two in particular that I really like that are almost identical except one is gas and the other is diesel, and, of course, the cost. The diesel is quite a bit more. My question is this, out west where the land is not flat, how important is the exhaust brake and how bad would a gas rig (and obviously no exhaust brake) be out there? Thanks for the help.

EB is just a convenience, I have run a number of rigs through the Rockies both with and without. Nice to have. Not necessary.Same for the age old gas v diesel war. Gas MH go everywhere.

It isn't essential to have an Exhaust brake but after having a gas coach and now a diesel, I really prefer having the EB. It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me though if that was the only difference between two. The biggest reason we went with a diesel vs a gas coach was the cargo carrying capacity limit and the tow hitch limit for our toad on the gas coaches we looked at. The last reason was being able to fuel up at the trucker pumps instead of having to decide if we would fit into the regular gas stations.

Lived without an EB my whole life I have one now but it's certainly not a must have. Its nice but just not something that should be a deal breaker. I had a 7.3 for 16 years never had an EB Also had a Gas engine for longer than that and didn't miss it either. So go with what your comfortable paying for is my advise.

The V10 actually has great engine braking. Quite a bit better than the PowerStroke diesels are stock (the Powerstrokes can have good exhaust braking with aftermarket upgrades). Even when I'm loaded to 22,000 pounds combined, the engine can hold my speed to 60 MPH down a 7% grade, without touching the brakes.On really nice feature on 2005+ V10s is Tow/Haul mode will automatically downshift when braking or if using cruise control

In a Class C, Diesel comes with two trade-offs. Or you can call them penalties:1. At least in Ford, the Van/Class C version of the current pickup truck diesel is NOT the same. It is de-tuned, because the engine compartment doesn't allow the space for cooling the pickup version's higher output. Don't buy a diesel Class C based on how well a diesel pickup runs out.2. Class C is already short on carrying capacity, and the significant added weight of the diesel comes right out of the weight you can carry.

How important is the exhaust brake? | Good Sam Community

j-d
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2016
In a Class C, Diesel comes with two trade-offs. Or you can call them penalties:

1. At least in Ford, the Van/Class C version of the current pickup truck diesel is NOT the same. It is de-tuned, because the engine compartment doesn't allow the space for cooling the pickup version's higher output. Don't buy a diesel Class C based on how well a diesel pickup runs out.

2. Class C is already short on carrying capacity, and the significant added weight of the diesel comes right out of the weight you can carry.
carringb
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016
The V10 actually has great engine braking. Quite a bit better than the PowerStroke diesels are stock (the Powerstrokes can have good exhaust braking with aftermarket upgrades). Even when I'm loaded to 22,000 pounds combined, the engine can hold my speed to 60 MPH down a 7% grade, without touching the brakes.

On really nice feature on 2005+ V10s is Tow/Haul mode will automatically downshift when braking or if using cruise control
diazr2
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016
Lived without an EB my whole life I have one now but it's certainly not a must have. Its nice but just not something that should be a deal breaker. I had a 7.3 for 16 years never had an EB Also had a Gas engine for longer than that and didn't miss it either. So go with what your comfortable paying for is my advise.
2chiefsRus
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016
It isn't essential to have an Exhaust brake but after having a gas coach and now a diesel, I really prefer having the EB. It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me though if that was the only difference between two. The biggest reason we went with a diesel vs a gas coach was the cargo carrying capacity limit and the tow hitch limit for our toad on the gas coaches we looked at. The last reason was being able to fuel up at the trucker pumps instead of having to decide if we would fit into the regular gas stations.
Ductape
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016
EB is just a convenience, I have run a number of rigs through the Rockies both with and without. Nice to have. Not necessary.

Same for the age old gas v diesel war. Gas MH go everywhere.

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