2005 Dodge 2500 Diesel - downhill

Camreal wrote:
Have an 05 auto and never had a problem heat or otherwise and its a real powerhouse.

Same here, but a jake brake sure Would be nice.

I did not feel uncomfortable traveling on I-70 in UTAH/COLORADO with my rig a few years ago. I have no exhaust brake on my rig and brakes did not get hot coming down those hills. JME.

turbopilot51 wrote:

ScottG wrote:
You must have a manual trans. The auto's of those days didn't do much to hold things back - other than heat up the trans fluid. They got a lot better in 06.

Since when did manual transmissions come with a tow haul mode?:h

Gee, I guess I missed that part so you got me there!

We told you 6500 lbs was nothing :R but as someone stated double that weight and that Cummins is like a anchor in a boat :W or a Penn reel spinning with a yellow fin on the other end :B

transamz9 wrote:

ScottG wrote:
You must have a manual trans. The auto's of those days didn't do much to hold things back - other than heat up the trans fluid. They got a lot better in 06.

This is where you are wrong sir.;)

Actually he partly right as the '06 48RE tranny is ready for a exhaust brake.
The previous versions did alright with light loads. Even older 47RE would heat quick (fluid shear from the TC) if the tranny didn't have the TC clutch locked.
The BD PressureLoc kits that electronically control torque converter clutch engagement was a must have especially with my old the 47RE tranny in a '01 Dodge/Cummins with a exhaust brake.

My current '03 Dodge/Cummins with the NV5600 has little to non engine braking at any rpm in any gear. Kind'a like pushing the clutch in at the top of the hill.
Jacobs had to re tool for the 4" exhaust brake so I had a 3 month wait for the Jacobs. Boy was it worth it.
Now I can come down Wolf Creek or Monarch and seldom touch the service brakes with 11200 lb behind me.

Now the Cummins warms up on cold mornings in half the time.

ScottG wrote:
You must have a manual trans. The auto's of those days didn't do much to hold things back - other than heat up the trans fluid. They got a lot better in 06.

Since when did manual transmissions come with a tow haul mode?:h

Me Again wrote:
You would find it a bit different if you had a 12-14K 5th wheel behind you. I would not tow with a Dodge/Cummins without an exhaust brake, as they more or less just free wheel going down mountain passes. I have a custom towing 47RE tranny with a smart controller to lock up the torque converter. If I disable the exhaust and have the torque converter locked up on a downhill grade there is next to no hold back.

And I have been both up and down the Davis Dam grade a few times where the test the trucks for towing and braking. Nice to have cool service brakes if you hit the Red Light at McCormick Blvd at the camp ground at the bottom of the hill.

Chris

X2 :B

Nothing sweeter than rolling down a 6% grade with both feet on the floor boards, listening the the sweet rumble of the EB, while watching all the cars in front of you ridding the brakes!!!

Me Again wrote:
You would find it a bit different if you had a 12-14K 5th wheel behind you. I would not tow with a Dodge/Cummins without an exhaust brake, as they more or less just free wheel going down mountain passes. I have a custom towing 47RE tranny with a smart controller to lock up the torque converter. If I disable the exhaust and have the torque converter locked up on a downhill grade there is next to no hold back.

And I have been both up and down the Davis Dam grade a few times where the test the trucks for towing and braking. Nice to have cool service brakes if you hit the Red Light at McCormick Blvd at the camp ground at the bottom of the hill.

Chris

I agree a 6500# load is not a lot to hold back. Get above 10K and you will understand why an exhaust brakes is a great feature to have.

You would find it a bit different if you had a 12-14K 5th wheel behind you. I would not tow with a Dodge/Cummins without an exhaust brake, as they more or less just free wheel going down mountain passes. I have a custom towing 47RE tranny with a smart controller to lock up the torque converter. If I disable the exhaust and have the torque converter locked up on a downhill grade there is next to no hold back.

And I have been both up and down the Davis Dam grade a few times where the test the trucks for towing and braking. Nice to have cool service brakes if you hit the Red Light at McCormick Blvd at the camp ground at the bottom of the hill.

Chris

maxwell11 wrote:
Well you guys were right.
We left the Smokey Mountains today and the old 2005 Dodge 2500 diesel came down the mountain fine, no problem.

The tow/haul mode worked fine pulling or holding back a 6500# load.
Feel much better about pulling in the mountains with the old Dodge.

Congrats on stress free ride. Yep, that 5.9 cummins isn't even breaking a sweat with a 6,500# load and the tow haul mode on the 04.5 and up works pretty well. (just as a point of reference I have 06 5.9 cummins that routinely pulls 18k# in the NC mountains, 3500 dually though)