Just towed my TT with new diesel

Olde Volks Place wrote:
Hi all, I will be ordering a diesel TV in the form of a 1 ton 15 psg Chevy Express Van in the N F and saw this post and wanted to ask what are the benefits to a Diesel over a "gaser" as a TV ?

I am familiar with a Jake Brake but I thought that was on a Tractor Trailer only, is it on all diesel powered engines.

I live in Ga and we do not see harsh winters BUT is it a good idea to go ahead and order the van with a "block heater" just in case we are ever in a cold climate.

I have never owned a diesel nor do I know any one with one to ask these questions of.

thanks for your time and to the OP ENJOY your new rig.

The advantage that the diesel has over a gasoline engine is becoming less as the turbo charged gasoline engines are being developed. The torque that the diesel is being praised for here should really be awarded to the turbo rather than the fuel type. As well, the diesel lacks ability to hold back on a down grade so an exhaust brake is required. Conventional gasoline engines use a throttle plate which is not required in a diesel. Although the purpose of the throttle plate is to restrict the air and therefore fuel, it also produces vacuum, when closed, which allows the engine some hold back capacity that a diesel, without an exhaust brake, lacks.

The Jake Brake that you speak of on the highway tractors is a very effective engine brake. It opens the exhaust valve close to top dead center on the compression stroke releasing the energy of the compressed air before it has an opportunity to push the piston back down on the power stroke. The exhaust brake used in the pick up trucks is a restriction installed in the exhaust manifold that produces a little back pressure which offers enough engine braking to effectively hold back the small loads that a pick up is designed to tow. In the case of Ford and GM this restriction is produced using the turbo vanes - the Ram uses a little butterfly valve.