2005 1 ton Ram diesel

burningman wrote:
I have decades of experience with trucks of all sizes, professionally.
And lots with Dodge 5.9 diesels.
They have almost zero engine braking. It’s possible to drive with a load down hills just using the service brakes but I consider it foolish. I wouldn’t have one without an exhaust brake.

You can also tow a large trailer safely with a Toyota pickup, IF you drive it carefully enough. That doesn’t make it a good idea, but if I HAD to get a trailer across the country with one I could.

As for the assumption that since the truck has a tow rating high enough for the load in stock form, it’s fine- that’s not necessarily so.

The “electronics” needed to make the exhaust brake work on the Dodge automatic are as simple as a $3 switch that grounds a wire going to the ECM, to signal it to lock the torque converter. I use a floor mounted headlamp dimmer style switch on mine.
Or you can buy a setup that automates it more. I like to be able to lock my converter whenever I see fit. The older Dodges have irritating stock transmission programming that unlocks the converter every time you let off the throttle.

Having an exhaust brake lets you descend most grades with a load without riding or even using your brakes. That’s a very, very good thing. That way they’re cool and ready to handle anything unexpected, rather than hot and already at their limits.

The modified valve body for second gear lockup isn’t really needed, if the truck has 4.10 gears. Third gear with the exhaust brake is usually fine.
You can modify your existing valve body for second gear torque converter lockup, all that modification is is a glob of epoxy glue to block one of the passages.

However, I very highly recommend an aftermarket valve body and triple disc torque converter for any 47/48re Dodge transmission used to tow anything at all. They’re well known as the truck’s weakest point, but are rock solid when properly built.

This has been settled, the truck is getting an exhaust brake, and I feel I’m well qualified to say that was the wise choice. Can you drive an early model 5.9/auto with a trailer without an exhaust brake? Sure. I’ve done it lots. Would I do it ever again if I had the choice? Absolutely not.

Second Best statement of the thread

I have decades of experience with trucks of all sizes, professionally.
And lots with Dodge 5.9 diesels.
They have almost zero engine braking. It’s possible to drive with a load down hills just using the service brakes but I consider it foolish. I wouldn’t have one without an exhaust brake.

You can also tow a large trailer safely with a Toyota pickup, IF you drive it carefully enough. That doesn’t make it a good idea, but if I HAD to get a trailer across the country with one I could.

As for the assumption that since the truck has a tow rating high enough for the load in stock form, it’s fine- that’s not necessarily so.

The “electronics” needed to make the exhaust brake work on the Dodge automatic are as simple as a $3 switch that grounds a wire going to the ECM, to signal it to lock the torque converter. I use a floor mounted headlamp dimmer style switch on mine.
Or you can buy a setup that automates it more. I like to be able to lock my converter whenever I see fit. The older Dodges have irritating stock transmission programming that unlocks the converter every time you let off the throttle.

Having an exhaust brake lets you descend most grades with a load without riding or even using your brakes. That’s a very, very good thing. That way they’re cool and ready to handle anything unexpected, rather than hot and already at their limits.

The modified valve body for second gear lockup isn’t really needed, if the truck has 4.10 gears. Third gear with the exhaust brake is usually fine.
You can modify your existing valve body for second gear torque converter lockup, all that modification is is a glob of epoxy glue to block one of the passages.

However, I very highly recommend an aftermarket valve body and triple disc torque converter for any 47/48re Dodge transmission used to tow anything at all. They’re well known as the truck’s weakest point, but are rock solid when properly built.

This has been settled, the truck is getting an exhaust brake, and I feel I’m well qualified to say that was the wise choice. Can you drive an early model 5.9/auto with a trailer without an exhaust brake? Sure. I’ve done it lots. Would I do it ever again if I had the choice? Absolutely not.

Thank you 2freelife fro coming back and stopping the peeing match.
No reason to believe your truck won't have a lot more good miles in it if it's as good of shape as you describe and not rusted out (WI, dontcha know).
A few things to think about though. 05, 150k miles iirc, that is about the time that some of the components start wearing out. Of course every vehicle is different, but in the next 100k miles, the common issues are front unit bearings, u joints all around, power steering pump, injectors and steering components (ball joints, tie rods, etc) and the transmission.
Without overthinking it, it's reasonable to think that you will incur half? of these repairs.
Not trying to scare you off your truck. IMO it's a good platform for long life/high miles. Just a consideration.

2freelife wrote:
Thanks to all of you for your wonderful replies & advice. I will feel more confident on grades with the exhaust brake installed. I was mainly asking for advice if the truck was worth that expense because it is 14 years old now. My husband kept it up beautifully. It runs great, so I'll just keep my big red beast, & put the exhaust brake on it. It did great pulling the trailer. I barely felt the trailer back there, but I always felt a little nervous mountain driving worrying about being able to slow down on a decline without overheating the brakes. I plan to travel in the west again this summer, & don't want to feel that tension since it's just me & my two dogs. I could do a lot of repairs, if needed for the price of a new truck.

GOOD CALL!!!

You just made a good financial and practical investment.

2freelife wrote:
Thanks to all of you for your wonderful replies & advice. I will feel more confident on grades with the exhaust brake installed. I was mainly asking for advice if the truck was worth that expense because it is 14 years old now. My husband kept it up beautifully. It runs great, so I'll just keep my big red beast, & put the exhaust brake on it. It did great pulling the trailer. I barely felt the trailer back there, but I always felt a little nervous mountain driving worrying about being able to slow down on a decline without overheating the brakes. I plan to travel in the west again this summer, & don't want to feel that tension since it's just me & my two dogs. I could do a lot of repairs, if needed for the price of a new truck.

Best statement of the thread. Good luck and happy safe trails

Thanks to all of you for your wonderful replies & advice. I will feel more confident on grades with the exhaust brake installed. I was mainly asking for advice if the truck was worth that expense because it is 14 years old now. My husband kept it up beautifully. It runs great, so I'll just keep my big red beast, & put the exhaust brake on it. It did great pulling the trailer. I barely felt the trailer back there, but I always felt a little nervous mountain driving worrying about being able to slow down on a decline without overheating the brakes. I plan to travel in the west again this summer, & don't want to feel that tension since it's just me & my two dogs. I could do a lot of repairs, if needed for the price of a new truck.

Bionic Man wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I did for years with a 10K 5th wheel (18K combined) behind a 2001 with a 47RE and it was no big deal using a little common sense. What kind of load is she talking about, 24 ft was mentioned which shouldn’t be anywhere near that weight. I would never tell anyone not to get an EB because they are great but whether one is necessary is another question."

Would you send your wife out to tow 15-16k combined to tow I-5 from Redding, CA to Eugene, OR without an EB in a 2500 4 speed auto Cummins ?

I’d have my wife do it. She’s obviously a more confident driver than you are. Pulls I70 through Colorado multiple times per year. Never heard her complain or talk about feeling unsafe.

Your consistent sexist comments about women’s driving abilities, or lack there of, are telling about your personality.

Go ahead and get back to your chest pounding.

I don't see Cummins12V98's comments as sexist, I see them as gentleman, and a concerned husband.

One can have confidence, but also concern. My DD bought a 30' four horse GN trailer, and a 2004 Ram 3500 DRW to tow it with. We had picked up the trailer in Medford, OR and drove it home to Portland using my Ram 2500 5 speed to tow it home. Her 1st trip with her truck and trailer war to Cle Elum, WA yes I was confident that she could drive without issue, but as a dad I was still concerned.

Gentlemen and concerned husband is certainly generous. Change his comments to ask how another race might handle it? Sorry. I don’t see any way to take the comments as anything other than he/a man is a more competent driver.

And we aren’t talking about a 30’ four horse trailer. The trailer in question is something that is less than 5,000 pounds. Or, said another way, somewhere around 1/3 of the manufactures stated towing capacity. Without any aftermarket equipment.

Dodge designer the truck to tow well over the OP’s suggested weight the way the truck left the lot, without an exhaust brake. To think it is a requirement to have an EB to tow well below their tow rating is asinine at best, and with his comments, nothing short of sexist and demeaning.

And, not trying to knit pick, but I’m unaware of a a 04 DRW Cummins 5 speed. It was either a 4 speed 48RE. Or a NV5600 6 speed manual. Both of which would be rated to tow that trailer empty, comfortably.

Bionic Man, the OP, asked if it would make driving more comfortable, I Quote "It always did great, but I would feel more secure with the pac brake."

The simple answer is yes, she would be more secure, is it required NO!

To me and I am sure many, the fact that one would not need to use service brakes on long downhill grades would make driving feel more. secure.

2freelife wrote:
In 2005 my husband & I went fulltime with a large 5th wheel & our new from the factory Ram. We fulltimed for almost 8 years. The truck now has 160,000 miles on it. It seems to run great. Have had very little trouble with it. Now I'm on my own, & would like to go back out on the road using this truck. A new one would be out of my price range. This truck did not have the pac brake installed. It does have tow mode. It always did great, but I would feel more secure with the pac brake. That's the one the truck dealer recommended. I would love advise from any of you with experience with these trucks if it would be a good idea for me to add the extra accessory brake? It will cost $2500. Do you believe my Ram will last? I could afford a used 1/2 ton if it failed, but nothing new. I will be pulling a 24ft camper. I don't want to go with a large one at this point

I don't think you can get a Pac Brake installed for $2500. I believe you will also need a separate controller to work with your automatic transmission (needed to lock up the torque converter). If you can please post or pm me the info on the dealer that is doing it. I would consider it for my truck.

Exhaust brake may not be needed in some cases but neither is air condition.

We have not heard any response from the OP, since she started the thread. She said that she would feel more secure, having the EB, which IMO answers most of what she was asking. The other part of the question, is will the truck last long enough to warrant the expense of the EB. Most seem to think the truck will last, going by her description and mileage. While she may not NEED the EB, for the current trailer, she did indicate possibly going to a larger one at some point. In any case, only she can decide, if the confidence gained, is worth parting with $2500, since she best knows her exact financial situation.

Jerry