lizman

I have a 2006 2500 quad short bed auto that is stock except for gauges and an oil bypass filter. Was pulling our 10K 5th wheel on I-70 down west side of Vail pass. There is a long section of downhill 5-6% grade of about 5-6 miles. I had slowed down before coming to the section of road but still needed more braking. I shifted manually down to 2nd and kept between 2300-3000 rpm by using the brakes.

I was never on brakes hard or for very long periods. We stopped in West Vail for food and I noticed a hot brake or clutch smell when near the truck. The smell seemed to be near the middle of the truck not the wheels and not on the trailer.

As I said above I really do not think I was on the brakes hard enough to cause burning, but was wondering if the coast clutch in the tranny was heating up due holding back the trailer?

May be time for an exhaust brake.

dodgezilla04

definately get the e brake. it is worth money to have 100% wheel braking power when you need it.
it also extends the lift of your brakes, saving you brake repairs.

I am not affiliated with nor compensated for my statements by any exhaust brake manufacturer.

Danavilla

Ditto on the exhaust brake. I wouldn't tow again without one if there was any way to avoid it. Even very little pressure on your service brakes over a little time generates lots of heat. Even normal braking gets the pads and rotors pretty hot.
I think any smell coming from your tranny would more than likely smell like hot transmission oil rather than brakes or clutch.

Dan

CatDiesel_762

Sounds like your clutch is slipping since you said it was coming from the center of the truck. I get this smell too when pulling heavy and using the clutch for engine braking. If it was coming from the rear or front near the tires then it was your brakes.

I too need a exhaust brake, but until I have the money to pay for one I will take my time and use the transmission and the service brakes to slow the truck down. I also dont overload my truck either. Sounds like you were prepared for the hill, by downshifting. You did good.

I watch your tac for surges indicating a slipping clutch. If the clutch has been in the truck a while it might be getting old or worn out and will need to be replaced soon. Exhaust brakes will only work if your transmission is doing its job too. Since engine braking still needs the tires and wheels on the drive axles to slow down the truck just like the brakes.

Shawn

J BODY

I've installed a bunch of the Cummins E brakes and have not had anyone wish that they wouldn't have. Well worth the $XXXX.XX out the door....

.....can't get my hand slapped again for saying how much.

cowboy_trucker

try a few fairly hard brake applications for 3-4 seconds and then 4 or 5 with out, they wont heat up as much that way, thats how i slow down my super-b`s

Danavilla

I assumed auto tranny since he said he "manually shifted to 2nd", thus the "oil smell" rather than clutch.

Love my Jake Brake and tell my wife so several times on every trip.

Dan

CatDiesel_762

I did not catch that part. I assumed a manual. My bad. However, the 2003-2005 model trucks year with the 48RE he will need to have the transmission reinforced before putting on the exhaust brake on, since these transmission have a weak (pinion shim?) flange plate on the out put shaft due to the transmission back pressure/force build up with the brake engaged. However, the 2006 to present model year should already have this reinforcement installed.

My fellow gear rowers do not have to worry about this. They can install a exhaust brake of there choosing.

Shawn

svanni

I pulled my 12k lbs 5er thru the Salt River Canyon in AZ. Got to the bottom, pulled over at a scenic pullout, and front brakes billowed white smoke for at least 4-5 minutes. I had no idea they were that hot. Scary.

Hoggy

My man you just delt with what us professional truck drivers deal with every day. You got your brakes hot. Any hotter and they bellow white smoke, just before they fail and you go for a one way ride...downhill fast.
If you don't have an engine(Jake)brake or an exhaust brake, the only way to go downhill safe is to go SLOW. 1st gear and let the rpms climb and then brake it down, and then do it again. Your brakes will get warm but not too hot because of the speed you are going. Less revolutions of the wheel wih the same amount of brake pressure until you slow. It take a long time to get down a long grade that way, but you will get down. A lot of folks from east of the Rockies find this out the hard way. You probably didn't do much to your pads because you were only smelling them. That was a long steep grade you went down. There are many more that are longer and steeper out here. Everybody please be careful, and enjoy the beautiful west

DeanQ

I just installed a PACBrake PRXB yesterday. I don't know why I waited so long! I had a Jacobs on my last truck (2nd gen) and it was the best mod for towing ever! I was pulling a load of horses to Verde Vally and the mountain grades reminded me how stupid I'd been for procrastinating! You'll be a lot less stressed out at the end of the trip with one!
Dean

Haulin_in_Dixie

You tell em Hoggy. But they generally do not listen. They are too much in a hurry. A good 80,000 pound ride down with no brakes will cure that fast!

06PSD4ME

Dosent the trannys Tow/Haul mode help with coming down a grade?

I do not have an exhaust brake and my Tow/Haul does a GREAT job and do not have to hit the brakes much.