Hi all, I am taking delivery on the truck in my sig (finally), and am considering an exhaust brake. It is a 6 spd, and I pull a 10,000 lb travel trailer several weekends in the summer, and a work trailer (approx 10-11,000 lbs) twice a month or so. I have lived this long without one, but find it very tempting. Anyone using them, would you buy one again on a new truck??

Also, any change in fuel mileage?



Thanks,
Dennis

 

DFD

I'm still waiting for my 2004.4 2500 CTD 6 spd to be delivered. From everything I've read I believe if you tow it not only a good idea but a necessary safety item. I will be pulling a fifth wheel which is around 6,000 lbs dry. Where I pull is over some pretty steep grades and don't like being pushed downhill and feeling the brakes fade. Trailer brakes help but they only do so much. More than once I have had to pull over and let them cool in my Ford w/351 auto.

From what I have read and heard, Pacbrake is a very good and popluar unit and, from what my dealer told me this moring, on the DC approved list. The service manager has them on his rigs. So, the challenge now is to find a Pacbrake that does not cost and arm and a leg.

One more thing, the Pacbrake on older models took about 2 to 3hours for a do-it-yourselfer. I am told by the same dealer it takes them around 6 to 7 hours on the 2004.5 because of the way the engine and other stuff is located. One can do it oneself but it will take time. I figure with breaks it will take ma a week.

You can get more info on www.pacbrake.com and www.turbodieselregister.com

Enjoy your new truck...

 

Get one, you'll love it. Makes a big difference in your feeling of control on a downgrade, or even just exiting the highway. Instead of feeling like you're being pushed, you begin to slow as soon as you get off the accelerator. It's probably not a must for Michigan terrain, but you'll like it anyway. Mileage should not be affected assuming you already downshift to slow the rig when towing. Exhaust brakes work their best at max RPM, so you need to downshift at the highest speed possible for maximum benefit. This may require a change in driving style, dropping it into 5th at 65 isn't the way most people normally drive, but that is the way to get maximum engine braking. Double clutching is a good idea to limit synchro wear during high RPM downshifts.

 

I live in Michigan, and yes, I would buy an exhaust brake again. When pulling my fiver (11,500 pounds) it makes a big difference in my ability to slow the rig, even on level roads. I really think that it helps take the strain off the OEM brakes. It does take some getting used to, and you should use it every day to keep it from carboning up and sticking. I still would get another one if I were going to be towing anything over 5,000 pounds.

FWIW

DeWain

 

I love my ebrake. I have the Jacobs. Sweet. Sure great in the mountains towing a 16000# fiver, but I also use it solo in the Florida mountains.

 

I have a 4" inline pac brake. It is my second truck with an e brake. In addition to towing, I use it almost all off the time in normal driving. I believe it saves the service brakes to the point that over the life of the truck it almost pays for itself in reduced brake maintenece. I got 110k miles out of the front pads on my Y2K. I would not have a truck without one.

 

No brainer get one. You will never be without it. Faster warmups also.

 

Which one would you get if you were to get a E-Brake?

Banks, BD,Jacobs,or Pac brake?

As far as I know the Jacobs system is the only one recommended by Cummins Inc.

 

I had one on my prior ride, a 95 PS auto, and it was pretty nice. When I got my '03 CTD 6-speed, I had the dealer install it prior to picking up the truck. It is head and tails above the other one (which was a B-D)....

This one has both a Jacobs # and a Mopar #, and is under the 3/36 warranty rather than possibly voiding the warranty as others might, in the opinion of DC.

We tow a 13000# 5'er and the truck is close to 10,000 when we tow, and I would order another one in a heartbeat. You go over some hills, or just routine off ramps and such and use it and the disc brakes never get hot. then if/when you need a lot of brake, you not only have the exhaust brake, but 'fresh' disc brakes...

Great when you aren't towing too.

They ought to be standard equipment....

 

I wouldn't be without one. I installed the Jacobs myself and love it. For towing at max GCWR it is a must have.

Casey

 

I had a Pacbrake on my 95' and have a Jacobs on my 04.5'. Would not tow with out one. As FuzzyDuck says "They ought to be standard equipment."

 

The garage foreman at the DC dealer I go to here in Calgary said they sell the pac brake. He drove a 1 ton with this installed while pulling a horse trailer and had only good things to say about it. Being in the mountains, it's almost a necessity. He also mentioned reports that the braking power of the e-brake was rated at some 300 ft lbs torque - that' s 60% of the 03 stock HO engine so no surprise you notice the braking power.
I'm planning on installing the US Gear D-celerator when I upgrade to a 4 inch exhaust this summer - USG product is supposed to give more braking at the lower RPM ranges than the Pac or Jake and I don't need a vacuum pump.

 

For towing our 13,500 lb 5th wheel, our Jacobs exhaust brake is probably one of the best modifications on our truck. There's a reason Dodge recommends an e-brake for Cummins-equipped manual transmission trucks towing over 10,000 lbs.

Rusty

 

Thanks guys, I'm sold! Now, if anyone can help me sell my wife

One more question, what did you pay for the jacobs (the one that dc says is ok)?

Dennis

 

If she can clean and cook I'll give you 500 bucks for her. But you shouldn't have to sell your wife to afford the ebrake. I paid around the 900 mark I believe on ebay.