engine brake while towing?

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.

rhagfo wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

Dano1955 wrote:
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 will, of course, start the engine brake. This has a tendency to have the 5th wheel "push" the truck somewhat, which is a bit disconcerting (freaking me out Man!). A little jerky feeling.

Normal behavior I think, yes? Well, should I continue to use engine brake and maybe use the manual gain to get trailer to slow as well, or touch the brakes to activate the trailer brake or learn to love it or what?

I've towed trailers without brakes, bike trailer and smaller utilities, and trailers with brakes 18-20 footers. But towed those with gassers, no engine brake so this is pretty new experience for me.

Guess I just want to find out "normal" if there is such a thing and if this is what it's supposed to be.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Sounds like your not enjoying the ride, therefore it sounds like you don't have enough truck...

Fish, 5'er weighs less than 10,000# GVWR, way more than enough TV. The OP just need to get use to the feeling of an EB. He could also be pin light and he is feeling chucking.

Old-Biscuit wrote:


Thirdly
Sounds like BOTH of you have 3500 envy

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.

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.

Dano1955 wrote:

...
I did just have hitch receiver added to back of 5ver, for a ramp and small motorcycle. Haven't put them on yet, but they will weigh about 500 lbs combined. Could the receiver alone be making the rig pin light? I have the basement loaded with the necessary things, along with a 4 panel solar unit.

If it's pin light already, then the bike and ramp will be a problem, although the dealer said no problem.

ShinerBock wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:


Thirdly
Sounds like BOTH of you have 3500 envy

Ha Ha Ha, now that is funny right there. Why on earth would I be envious to pay another $150 on a 3500 and another $150-$200 a year in registration and taxes when there is no benefit to me for my towing needs? I was just agreeing with the OP, Dano1955, in thinking there was an ulterior motive especially since the 2500 and 3500 are just about identical in weight(and just about everything else) so why would the trailer pushing a SRW 3500 be any different in a 2500?

RELAX.........

Your truck is well equipped to handle that 10K 5vr (even if it is a 2500)