Exhaust/engine brakes

[pedalsteelpicker]

How many have an exhaust brake on their TV and how do you like it?I have a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 with a built in engine brake and love it!I was towing a 28'Prowler but wil soon be taking delivery of a 2013 Alpine 3700RE.I'm sure the exhaus brake will be a welcome feature.

[Alpinecummin]

I have a 2011 Alpine 3460RL and pull it with a 2007 Dodge 3500, 6.7, six speed automatic tranny. The exhaust brake is wonderful! Whenever I exit off of an interstate the DW asks, "aren't you going to slow down!" I tell her the truck will do all the work! It takes very little braking effort with the exhaust brake engaged and the tranny in the tow/haul mode. Just a little side note: my exhaust brake is on all the time whether the truck is towing or not. It helps control the soot levels.

[SAD]

07 6.7 CTD and the reason I bought it was a big camper, hilly terrain, and the need for downhill control.

[LittleJoe]

I dont have one but would definitely be installing one if I was running the western mountains.

[Herap]

We have factory in our signature. Just traveled from Idaho to Southern Cal via I15. Few hills thoughout Utah and Nevada, but when entering Cal, many up and downs some steep some not so. In all events, used very little foot braking, exhaust braking a real boon to rv'ers with heavy trailers.

Ray

[Diesel Dude]

The dodge exhaust brake is the only true eb and it works great. The dramax is a distant 2nd and Ford well they dropped the ball so far on this subject.

[Hansel]

Originally Posted by Diesel Dude

The dodge exhaust brake is the only true eb and it works great. The dramax is a distant 2nd and Ford well they dropped the ball so far on this subject.

Yep, Ford dropped the ball when International stopped building their engines, I love my Ford 7.3L but the newer stuff no way For me a EB is a costly upgrade since it doesn't have on.

[Exsailor]

You use the EB all the time? Is this urban myth or is there a reference for this because the owners manual doesn't say to. Also the tranny shifts more aggressively when EB is on.

[SAD]

Originally Posted by Exsailor

You use the EB all the time? Is this urban myth or is there a reference for this because the owners manual doesn't say to. Also the tranny shifts more aggressively when EB is on.

If my truck is running, my EB is on.

[Jim W]

Originally Posted by Exsailor

You use the EB all the time? Is this urban myth or is there a reference for this because the owners manual doesn't say to. Also the tranny shifts more aggressively when EB is on.

Ram produced a video back in late 08 informing all user of the 6.7L engine on how to operate this engine. One of the recommendations is to turn on the exhaust brake all of the time. This is to prevent the sliding vanes on the VGT from sooting up and not responding to commands to slide upon initial start up from the ECM, if the vanes do not slide correctly you will than get a CEL and P2262 and P061A codes will be displayed. The turbo will then need to be drilled (if cleaning port is not available in turbo) and cleaned by the dealer with a forced regen.
The only time my EB is off is when the engine is shut down and turned off. A another nice feature is the EB will extend your brake pads life.
Jim W.

[Exsailor]

sounds reasonable

[dtas]

I have an older Dodge, always wanted an EB...it sounds like it would be a good investment. When I travel I have to be so aware and I down shift to slow down and when in the hills. I just have a feeling that I'm putting undue wear and tear on the trans.

[gkainz]

Originally Posted by dtas

I have an older Dodge, always wanted an EB...it sounds like it would be a good investment. When I travel I have to be so aware and I down shift to slow down and when in the hills. I just have a feeling that I'm putting undue wear and tear on the trans.

if you're talking about the 03 in your signature, that's not "older" I put a Pacbrake on my '97 last year ... absolutely the best money I've spent on this truck, after the tranny build and 100hp injectors, that is ...

[Diesel Dude]

Originally Posted by Hansel

Yep, Ford dropped the ball when International stopped building their engines, I love my Ford 7.3L but the newer stuff no way For me a EB is a costly upgrade since it doesn't have on.

Ahh I love 7.3 owners. I guess if you consider smooth, quiet, powerful and tons of torque dropping the ball than yeah.
If you get a chance you should drive a 6.7 Ford built power stroke.



As for running the eb on a newer dodge. Yes lots of guys do it as a cleaner for the turbo. It in no way hurts the motor or turbo but does hurt your fuel economy.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by dtas

I have an older Dodge, always wanted an EB...it sounds like it would be a good investment. When I travel I have to be so aware and I down shift to slow down and when in the hills. I just have a feeling that I'm putting undue wear and tear on the trans.

Originally Posted by gkainz

if you're talking about the 03 in your signature, that's not "older" I put a Pacbrake on my '97 last year ... absolutely the best money I've spent on this truck, after the tranny build and 100hp injectors, that is ...

By no way the cheapest, but based on my research the best after market EB, one is on my upgrade list.

[SAD]

Originally Posted by Diesel Dude

....As for running the eb on a newer dodge. Yes lots of guys do it as a cleaner for the turbo. It in no way hurts the motor or turbo but does hurt your fuel economy.

How so??..

[Jim W]

Originally Posted by Diesel Dude

Ahh I love 7.3 owners. I guess if you consider smooth, quiet, powerful and tons of torque dropping the ball than yeah.
If you get a chance you should drive a 6.7 Ford built power stroke.



As for running the eb on a newer dodge. Yes lots of guys do it as a cleaner for the turbo. It in no way hurts the motor or turbo but does hurt your fuel economy.

I have meticulous fuel records dating back to Nov. 07, when I bought my Ram 6.7L new. I have never notice a decrease in fuel mileage when using the exhaust brake. I have recorded every gallon of fuel purchased against miles driven. My truck has increase in fuel mileage since new and finally has stabilized to an average of 14 to 15 MPG for city driving. When I tow my fuel mileage ranges from 10 to 12 MPG's, the 10 MPG is in the mountains and the 12 MPG is flat land towing. My highway mileage is usually around 18 MPG's, since we do not drive the truck much on the highway unless I am towing the 5er.
We usually use my wife’s car for our highway driving since it has better fuel mileage ability than the Ram. Her car is a diesel vehicle also getting over 43 MPG on the highway and 35 MPG in town.
Jim W.

[Diesel Dude]

Eb = less coasting distance
Obviously we are talking about minimal loss but you will still have a loss if your eb is on all the time.

[LittleJoe]

The 6.0 and the 6.4 were also international engines and the reason Ford has been sued for staggering amounts of money.

The 6.7 is having valve issues(the exhaust valves overheat and break a piece off, which goes through the engine). It seems to be a programming issue as it is always same cylinder (cant remember which now). Ford is trying to keep this very quiet.

Most of the failures are in commercial high load/stress use...... The Scorpion engine has a long way to go before it earns its credibility (not just advertising hype)

[Jim W]

Originally Posted by Diesel Dude

Eb = less coasting distance
Obviously we are talking about minimal loss but you will still have a loss if your eb is on all the time.

With the use of the EB I am saving the disc brake pad life which would out way the savings for not using the EB and costing in fuel cost. Beside this is not a fuel saving vehicle like a VW Jetta TDI. I have a 7,400 + LB truck along with the 5ER hitch in the bed + at least 200 LB's of tools, tool box and such.
Jim W.