dodge brakes

CumminsDriver wrote:
The current automatics don't lock the torque converter in first gear, so an automatic truck with exhaust brake will not work at these low speeds. Of all the trucks I've owned with an exhaust brake (02 Dodge/Cummins 6 speed manual, 07 Dodge/Cummins 6 speed manual, and 09 Dodge/Cummins 6 speed auto), only the manual trans trucks exhaust brakes worked at that low of speed. The automatic when in second gear unlocks the torque converter between 15 and 20 mph when decelerating, which disables the exhaust brake. If the OP had 4 wheel drive, since he was on a dirt road, could have used Low Range 4x4 to help with the descent.
Rich

Interesting, though my Kodiak maybe outside of your reckoning. My Allison is the same as the ones on the pickups, but it is permanantly in tow/haul mode. But my exhaust brake operates to well below 15 or 20....if I had to guess it cuts out between 10 and 5MPH when I am stopping at a light. The exhaust brake addition is the single best modification I have done to my truck, bar NONE. I spent something like $2500 on replacing my entire brake system after about 70K miles, so I dropped an extra $1200 or something on the exhaust brake solely to save the wear on my service brakes. I have yet to go down a hill that my truck speeds up on when the e-brake is on. I have to keep flicking it on and off, or touch the gas pedal to kick it off. And keep in mind my truck weighs 19,000+ pounds (though admittedly it also has 5.14 gearing.) I have driven Golden to Buena Vista with only hitting my regular service brakes a couple of times.

Aftermarket brake options are probably out there, but I wouldn't do a single thing until after putting on the exhaust brake.

The current automatics don't lock the torque converter in first gear, so an automatic truck with exhaust brake will not work at these low speeds. Of all the trucks I've owned with an exhaust brake (02 Dodge/Cummins 6 speed manual, 07 Dodge/Cummins 6 speed manual, and 09 Dodge/Cummins 6 speed auto), only the manual trans trucks exhaust brakes worked at that low of speed. The automatic when in second gear unlocks the torque converter between 15 and 20 mph when decelerating, which disables the exhaust brake. If the OP had 4 wheel drive, since he was on a dirt road, could have used Low Range 4x4 to help with the descent.
Rich

low gear andthe stab braking technique. let say the max speed you are comfotable with is 15 mph. You get on the brakes and bring your speed to lets say 10, get off the brake and let the gears hold the truck until the speed creeps back up to 15 again then repeat the process, do it all the way down the grade. this gives the brakes time to cool and not overheat and fade.

Travelnutz wrote:
An actual 25% grade for 4 miles total distance? Unfortunately, I question that part of the OP's statement!

....me, too. The steepest grades built on the Western half of the United States are from 5% to 7% (in Alaska, there are gravel mountain grades attaining 12%, called Dalton Atigun, however it is only 12% for 2 miles, and extremely washboarded almost beyond driveabilty!).

Interestingly, the Eastern half of the USA has the absolutely steepest roads in the Lower 48; for example the Whiteface Mountain road (fairly nearby to us) is about 10% for an 8 mile stretch; and also Mount Washington carriage road (also fairly nearby to us, I've driven this numerous times at an astounding 11.6% grade for a few several mile stretches; there are dozens of vehicles with smoking brakes littering this road at any given time of day!)

Where is that ~4 mile long 25% grade gravel road ? What is its USGS road number designation? I want to check it out (1st hand with our camper; we've done a lot of the "steepest roads" including our driveway {at over 30%!}, and filmed the endeavors).

S-

does an automatic have low enough gears to offer any breaking at 10 mph without 4x4 and low range?

If your truck is a dully,I had the same problem you most likely need your rear brakes adjusted do this at least before any long trip they do not adjust by themselves. Good luck.

It might just be the 25% grade and the weight . 25% seems like a lot.
Have you ever traveled this hill before without this problem ? or was this a one time/first time occurrence ?


Did all 4 brakes smoke or just the front. check proportioning valve, it was a problem on some dodge trucks . The front brakes were doing most all the work and overheating. Especially if you are using a lift kit.

I had a problem with brakes overheating and the brake fluid was changed to a higher temp. fluid. No more problems after that.
Im not really sure if the higher temp fluid made the differnce or if there was moisture in the system. But , it was flushed and replaced with the new stuff.


http://www.stoptech.com/technical-support/technical-white-papers/brake-fluid

tbltony wrote:
...any ideas on way to solve problem .

I had my brakes smoke one time before I added a PRXB exhaust brake. I haven't had any problem since.
I also have a manual TC lock button that can help when I don't need as much braking force as the exhaust brake provides.
Cheers
-Mark

Yeah not sure you could maintain traction on a 25% grade going downhill without 4 lo and chains or something. Must been a white knuckle ride.
3rd Gen Rams have very good brakes. You just found the limit with them.
You can upgrade brakes but will have to go bigger than 17" wheels unless you just swap out for some hot rod rotors and pads of the same size.
Exhaust brake will do a lot too.

An actual 25% grade for 4 miles total distance? Unfortunately, I question that part of the OP's statement! A dirt road and that angle would be riddled with washouts constantly with even a simple or normal rain.