engine brake while towing?
OK, so just getting a feel for towing my 5er with the 2013 Ram Cummins. When tow enabled (heavy tow used with appropriate tire pressure) and engine brake on, going downhill after taking foot off gas ...
Forum Discussion
schlep1967 wrote:rhagfo wrote:schlep1967 wrote:
Working as it is supposed to. Like others have mentioned do not rely on the EB when roads are wet or slick. You are basically going from 8 traction surfaces (4 on the truck and 4 on the trailer) slowing the vehicle when using brakes down to Two traction surfaces (Just the rear wheels of the truck) slowing the vehicle when relying on the EB.
:h
Sorry I live in the PNW and use the EB all the time in the rain! We are talking retarding speed not a panic stop! Unless your rear tires are bald not an issue to use in the rain and wet roads. One should not use in snow or ice.
In the PNW where you get rain all the time you may be able to get away with it. In places where you get rain less often the oils cook out of the asphalt and when you add rain you get oil and water mixed which adds up to very slick surfaces. Add the weight of a fiver pushing downhill and a downshift coupled with the EB and as the OP stated it sure feels like hitting the brakes hard. I may use the EB but I am also going to have my foot on the brake pedal using all of my traction surfaces.
Totally defeating the purpose of the EB! I you have an auto, using TH, and ridding the service brakes, you are likely confusing the heck out of the computer, so you are not getting the best benefit from them.
If used correctly, you very seldom need to touch the service brakes, keeping them nice and cool.
To the other point, we do have "Summer" here also temps into the High 90's for days, then rain, yes we get the oils out of asphalt also, EB still works.
