Use of engine brake prohibited

Those signs are common in Pennsylvania. It's all about noise.

I use mine in those areas but mine is an exhaust brake. If I ever get stopped I plan to tell them I don't have an engine brake. Technically that is a true statement.

Most of the signs in our area have a caveat reading "Except in an Emergency". The newer exhaust brakes are barely noticeable in comparison the older Jake Brakes. Every once in a while I see some young trucker cruising down the highway then letting off on the accelerator for no apparent reason. I believe most of the time it's more to get attention than to slow down the truck.

Years ago you couldn't hear yourself think when going through downtown Atlanta. It seemed like there was a competition between truckers as to who could make the most noise when going through an underpass. Sometimes there were so many trucks applying the Jake brake you couldn't hear the radio in the car when it was on at full volume and all the windows were rolled up.

korbe wrote:
Yes. The old Jake brakes are what certain communities are referring to around here. Simply annoying noise.

Agreed. I just heard a fire truck yesterday with his engine brake on..... LOUD!

Those are the ones that they are talking about. The one's that most motorhomes have are not loud at all, it's just gearing down.

I've never heard ours on either coach.

MM.

Those signs have popped up around cities due to truckers using unmuffled (no mufflers), engine brakes. They are a lot louder and annoying.
If you have a proper muffler (not gutted) you should not have any problems of attracting unwanted attention to your vehicle.
That's about it.
Pat

Yes. The old Jake brakes are what certain communities are referring to around here. Simply annoying noise.

Yeah if push comes to shove, I'd rather get a ticket than have brakes fade. Probably the jake brakes since they are pretty noisy. I imagine systems on MH's would be exempt if they could even tell.

There are many communities in our area that prohibit engine brakes within the city or town limits. It usually is about noise mitigation.