Ram exhaust brake question

4x4ord wrote:
Being able to control 33k down a 14% grade is an indication of how far these trucks have come. I weighed in at about 23000 lbs going down a 7% grade with my '03 Duramax. I shifted the transmission into low gear and watched the engine rev to 5000 rpm most of the way down the Creston Salmo pass.

To be honest when I saw the sign I was a bit nervous! I set the cruise control to 30 or so and locked in second. It stayed 30-35 all the way down. Was nice to have cool brakes if needed.

Being able to control 33k down a 14% grade is an indication of how far these trucks have come. I weighed in at about 23000 lbs going down a 7% grade with my '03 Duramax. I shifted the transmission into low gear and watched the engine rev to 5000 rpm most of the way down the Creston Salmo pass.

I think it was in Colorado.

WOW 14% :)

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I find it works best to run full EB and TH ALL the time with my 15 RAM Dually with 4.10's, I manually select the gear I would have ascended the grade for my down hill run and set cruise control to the speed desired. For 6% grades or so it's best to keep the rpm's 2,700-3,000 for best braking. I RARELY touch my brakes. It's something you have to play with but once mastered you will tackle any grade with cool brakes at the bottom.

Towing 33K on a several mile 14% grade I was able to keep the load safely rolling at 35mph locked in 2nd gear, this road was full of curves.

I think I was just there - is that near Big Bend?

I find it works best to run full EB and TH ALL the time with my 15 RAM Dually with 4.10's, I manually select the gear I would have ascended the grade for my down hill run and set cruise control to the speed desired. For 6% grades or so it's best to keep the rpm's 2,700-3,000 for best braking. I RARELY touch my brakes. It's something you have to play with but once mastered you will tackle any grade with cool brakes at the bottom.

Towing 33K on a several mile 14% grade I was able to keep the load safely rolling at 35mph locked in 2nd gear, this road was full of curves.

It is likely similar to the Ford exhaust brake. On the Ford "Auto" applies the exhaust brake and automatically downshifts the transmission as necessary to hold the truck from accelerating on a descent.

With the exhaust brake set to "on" the truck doesn't downshift until you tell it to by either applying the brakes or manually downshifting.

I find "auto" generally works better than "on".

I'm in SD Black Hills now on a month trip, using TH with auto EB, but on some grades it down shifts too much, and revs above 3k. I guess that's what it's supposed to do, but I might try full EB and use the manual gear selector on my way home.

Truck did great, locked in 5th gear and likes that 1700-1900 rpm powerband. Just straight pulls. Way better experience over the 6.4 hemi I traded in and listening to it scream with my old lighter trailer on same hills. EB works great.

It takes getting used to. It becomes natural to when to let off the go pedal and come down to a stop.