Engine Braking?
In the jumping off the diesel bandwagon someone mentioned the lack of the ability to brake with the engine on diesels. 1. Is this true? 2. How do you control your speed on descents without the eng...
Forum Discussion
Before I owned a diesel with an exhaust brake I owned several D/A's and the grade braking worked pretty good, (in T/H)....on some of the steeper grades I'd run, I'd have to use my brakes and/or use the trailer brakes manually to slow down...now the GM/Chevy D/A also has an EB.
When I purchased my first Dodge it had an EB, it was awesome when in T/H, never had an issue....the 13' in my sig. has improved from the 2010, Towing my 5er in T/H mode with EB on first stage (most aggressive), I've gotten to where when I go down a steep mountain and put the truck in cruise control,at say, 50-55 mph and the truck will maintain that speed....couple examples, I26 DOWN Saluda Grade in NC, I64 going DOWN from Beckly to Sandstone Falls WV, (7% grade), and I26 coming out of NC into TN. I do not have to give throttle and do not have to brake ...its awesome:).
I've went down I26 from NC into TN with EB and T/H on sig. truck towing sig 5er loaded to 16,000#, and not in cruise contol, just taking my foot off of the throttle., truck will almost bring me to a stop....I feel a whole lot more secure now than I did before...
If one has EB and T/H on a diesel which the Big 3 does, I don't see a problem when towing with all those "tools" ON......really not an issue any more with the newer diesels, and Ive had gassers towing 5er's (last being an 8.1, D/A's , and now diesel with two stage EB, TH and it works great):)
One thing different about the Ram, even if NOT in T/H, the EB still works and can be rather agressive....
When I purchased my first Dodge it had an EB, it was awesome when in T/H, never had an issue....the 13' in my sig. has improved from the 2010, Towing my 5er in T/H mode with EB on first stage (most aggressive), I've gotten to where when I go down a steep mountain and put the truck in cruise control,at say, 50-55 mph and the truck will maintain that speed....couple examples, I26 DOWN Saluda Grade in NC, I64 going DOWN from Beckly to Sandstone Falls WV, (7% grade), and I26 coming out of NC into TN. I do not have to give throttle and do not have to brake ...its awesome:).
I've went down I26 from NC into TN with EB and T/H on sig. truck towing sig 5er loaded to 16,000#, and not in cruise contol, just taking my foot off of the throttle., truck will almost bring me to a stop....I feel a whole lot more secure now than I did before...
If one has EB and T/H on a diesel which the Big 3 does, I don't see a problem when towing with all those "tools" ON......really not an issue any more with the newer diesels, and Ive had gassers towing 5er's (last being an 8.1, D/A's , and now diesel with two stage EB, TH and it works great):)
One thing different about the Ram, even if NOT in T/H, the EB still works and can be rather agressive....
