Has anyone ever been hassled by cops for using their e-brakes in city limits? I am not talking about the big rig compression brakes, but our 5.9 brakes like Pac and Jacobs. I am getting into the habit of using it more and more around town and was just wondering if anyone ever had problems. I used it coming up to a stoplight the other day, and when I got to the light, I noticed a cop in the lane next to me. Never said anything.

Steve

 

Considering all the Harleys running around I cant see how they would have an issue with an exhaust brake....they are not very loud...

 

I've never seen a sign that specifically prohibited exhaust brakes. I've seen ones that said "No engine brake retarders", "No Jake Brakes", "No brake retarders", but nothing that covered an exhaust brake. I use the one on the work truck all the time and never been hassled. The ECM locks up the fan clutch after 3 seconds of exhaust brake application, and that's louder than the exhaust brake.

 

Maybe a exhaust brake on my straight piped V-Twin would get the laws attention

 

There is a sign up in Sommerset Pa that prohibits the use of Jake brakes or engine retarders. I use mine anyway. Guess they'd rather have a truck run away through town thanput up with a ittle noise. Personally, I think they sound awsome.

 

I'm a cop and I can't imagine very many cops would even know what an exhaust brake is or what one sounds like. Maybe some Highway Patrol guys or state troopers would, but not cops. Most of the time, if you see a city cop, he's on his way to a crime and he wouldn't think twice about you using an exhaust brake. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

ya, of all places to not allow them...Sommerset.... what road are you talking about?...there are a few nail biters comming out of Sommerset if you have some weight to you..

I'd use it all the time if I had one...the ones on CTD trucks are not as loud as the big rig ones...I don't even think a cop would think twice about it...

 

I drive an 18 wheeler, and most of the signs I see now say "No unmuffled exhaust brakes". I think that most of those signs are pointed at the big rig drivers that have straight pipes, no muffler, and are using the Jacobs engine brake, not the exhaust brakes that we put on our rigs. Those things can make quite a bit of noise.

On a slightly different note, if anyone out there sees a sign saying "Jake Brakes Prohibited" or something similiar using the name "Jake Brake", Jacobs would very much like to hear about it. They don't like name of their product being used in that manner, since there are other engine brakes out there besides the "Jake Brake".

DMH

 

I can't remember what exit it is off the tpk. I go to some work seminars there at Seven Springs and I've driven the road for the last five years and can't remember what it is. Maybe off the Sommerset or the Donnegal exit goes to Seven Springs.

Mine with the four inch down pipe and the stacks just makes a hiss that you can't even hardly notice. I love to hear them barking on the big rigs though. Especially the ones that rattle the windows. I think that is what the people in the towns don't like. I still think I would rather hear a little noise than take the chance of a run away truck going blasting down through town cause his brakes overheated because of a stupid noise ordinance. Some people just don't have a clue.

 

Or to the donut shop....

Sorry occisferr - I dont get the chance to bash cops very often - I just couldnt stop myself....All in good fun...

 

Theres a bunch of areas in California like that. If I lived in suburbia, (Well, it's kind of unavoidable in these parts), I wouldn't want Jake brakes going down the road next to my house every few minutes.

 

It could either be 711 off of the Donegal exit (exit 91, old exit number 9) or 281 and 219 at Somerset exit (exit 110, old number 10) depending on where your comming from you can get to seven springs either way.....

I have seen signs and thought "boy that's stupid...I'd put up signs that say use 'em if you got 'em" I'd deal with the noise before i would want a truck on a run away rampage...

At where I work there is a slight down grade stretch on RT. 30 in front of our building (RT. 30 is a 4 lane road, lots of red lights, turns and businesses) ...there has been more than one time that I was outside and one hit the brakes right next to the building...."BBUURRRRHHHHGGGGGG" I about jump out of my skin every time.... I like the ones that rattle the walls inside our machine shop...

 

I'm familiar with Rt 30 a little. I use to live in Saxton, and was raised in Coaldale or Six Mile Run as it is commonly called. My wife is from Defiance which is right up the road from Riddlesburg, no really, thats the towns name. Worked for a plumbing outfit in Huntington for a while. None of them were long time carrer jobs though. Worked for a bunch of idiots at a car dealer in Saxton for a while too. Still have family up there and one brother in Vermont too.
I use to drive for Barefoot Trucking out of Bedford a long long time ago hauling freight between Pitts and Phili and brick out of Johnstown. Ohh, bad flashback.

 

Or to the donut shop....

Sorry occisferr - I dont get the chance to bash cops very often - I just couldnt stop myself....All in good fun...

Yea, That too.

 

From the Jake Brake website:

FAQ8:

I've seen signs posted that say "No Jake Brakes", what does this mean?

ANSWER:

Jake BrakeŽ is a registered trademark of Jacobs Vehicle SystemsTM. The term "Jake Brake" is sometimes incorrectly used to refer to compression release type engine brakes in general. The term correctly refers to all of Jacobs Vehicle Systems retarding products including Jacobs Exhaust Brakes and Jacobs Driveline Brakes as well as Jacobs Engine Brakes. Engine brakes are used extensively on heavy-duty trucks, with diesel engines over 10.0L displacement. When operating it produces a distinctive staccato sound.

When an engine brake is used on a vehicle with a poorly muffled or un-muffled engine exhaust (using straight pipes for example), the sound can be offensive, which is what prompted the sign you saw. You were probably driving through a residential area that is adjacent to the highway. The real problem here is that there are a few trucks that are illegally modified or have defective exhaust systems that has triggered the community's reaction. Most high profile, professional fleets adequately maintain their trucks and equip them with OE quality mufflers to reduce the noise for both the driver and the communities they drive through.

The sign you saw might have unfairly used our trademark, making it brand specific. The term "Jake Brake" also refers to our nearly silent exhaust brakes and driveline brakes, so these signs don't make sense for all Jake Brakes, and don't target the root cause of the problem, which is the illegal exhaust systems some truckers chose to configure their vehicle with.

We would like to know where these "Brand Specific" signs are posted. If you've seen one, please let us know what Route number, City/Town and State you saw the sign by sending an E-mail to: jsupport@jakebrake.com. Digital photos are great too!
Thanks!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ENGINE EXHAUST NOISE ISSUES, CLICK HERE.