Downshift or exhaust brake?
I was just thinking after reading a post about gas vs diesel trucks where somebody mentioned they liked diesel because of the exhaust brake. I've never had a diesel, always gas. If I come up to a long...
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4x4ord wrote:Me Again wrote:
Well this morning on the way to the RC field I tried and tried to see boost on the exhaust brake.
Finally I hit a down hill exit ramp at 70 MPH in 4th gear and saw boost come up the the claimed 5-7 PSI range for a second or two. Braking did not change when this happen. We will not be towing until May 1st. Chris
My truck is not around right now otherwise I would try the Ford but if you're willing to screw around this would quantify what your exhaust brake is truly doing:
Rev your truck to 3500 rpm while locked in 3rd gear then back off the throttle and using a stop watch measure the time it takes for the engine to slow from 3200 rpm to 2700 on level ground with the exhaust brake on and then measure again with the exhaust brake off. The negative horsepower produced by the exhaust brake could be calculated from this information.
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My truck has very seldom seen 3000 RPM if ever and I have no intention of ever rev'ing it to 3500. I know what the exhaust brake does and I have towed at 24,500 twice to Arizona and back, once around 21,000 with the old trailer. I know that I would not be able to go down cabbage patch I-84 East of Pentleton in Oregon with the exhaust off and in just Tow Haul without over working the service and trailer brakes.
I have a better plan, you come down and run your fully loaded 5th and truck down Cabbage Patch without your exhaust brake. Then report back how you liked the trip down that hill. Chris
