Diesel Exhaust Braking

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rumurphy15

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I have a 2020 Ram 3500 Diesel truck not the duel wheels . My question I purchased a 35’ Toyhauler and I am heading out west to Colorado, Utah and I know I’m going to be getting into some steep hills
With 12% grades. I would like to know how to properly use the diesel exhaust braking system I have never used this type of breaking before. Just need a little step by step help on how to use it so I don’t kill my family going down a steep hill. Thought I would ask the pro’s first. Thanks
 

stevenP

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Turn it on full, and when you let off the throttle the magic happens. My personal experience is, dont rely on it to do much in a panic stop situation. It judt doesnt seem to work as well in a quicki stop. Be mindful of stops way ahead of you, and the EB will work really well, as it downshifts and slows you down. So what is the weight of that rig?
 

crash68

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Turn it on full, and when you let off the throttle the magic happens.
^^^ this
@rumurphy15 diesel engines don't have butterfly valves in the intake like a gas engine to create engine braking, so an exhaust brake is somewhat the equivalent only with the Cummins it works better.
As mentioned above it's not for quick or emergency stopping but it will keep you from overheating the truck brakes when in the mountains.
Better to descend a grade slow then to hope the brakes stop you.
 

rzr6-4

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I have some experience with manual transmission diesel pickup trucks and I’ve driven 90,000 pound 18 wheelers quite a bit. That said, never driven an automatic so I don’t know how much control you have over the engine breaking.

The lower RPM you’re driving, the less the engine brake is doing. Obviously you don’t want the engine to be screaming but the RPMs are going to need to be somewhat high for the engine break to actually do anything.

As others have mentioned, it is NOT an emergency break. When I am in a 1980s semi that weighs 90K, I start engine breaking a mile ahead of time, and that’s on flat ground. If I’m cresting over a hill that I think might be an issue, let’s say the speed limit is 50, I will crest the hill doing 40 and try to use my engine break to maintain 40, and if it’s a steep enough hill it will slowly increase to where I’m at that 50mph, and if it gets to going much higher than that then that is where I start using the regular hydraulic brakes to make sure it doesn’t run away.

You said your rig is 13 K, if that is your total weight then I wouldn’t get too worked up about it, just keep it in mind. A real steep grade then maybe but a 3500 should handle it fine. If that is just your trailer then you will need to be pretty vigilant, keep your speed low and apply the engine break early.
 

nlambert182

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The EB works fantastically in a Cummins. Just turn it on and leave it on while you're towing. It will mostly do what it's supposed to do. That said... don't fully depend on it as I've had a few instances where it didn't kick on quite as early as I wanted it to so drive with caution. Give yourself plenty of stopping room and don't get in a hurry. That holds true for any trailer though.

You may or may not get a little side to side movement on that toyhauler with single rear wheels, but as long as the gross weight of the trailer doesn't exceed 13k lbs, you should be just fine. Don't floor it going up steep grades and monitor your engine and trans temps in the EVIC.
 

JayLeonard

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I use my engine break a little differently than described previously. I’m towing a 30 ft travel trailer weighing around 7 k lbs.
i set my engine brake to automatic mode ( green light) when towing. When going down big hills/mountains I set the cruise control and just let the truck do its thing. Most times i never have to touch the brake pedal unless i need to really slow down for a hairpin turn or traffic.
It works amazingly well that way for me.
I actually use the auto mode most times even while not towing.
Experiment and find what works best for your rig and driving style.
 
OP
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rumurphy15

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Do you also use the Tow Haul mode with the engine brake on auto or Full engine brake yellow light
 

stevenP

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With that much load, definitely use tow haul mode. It will make the EB more aggressive anyway. Auto basically applies EB only when your depressing the brake pedal. Towing that much RV, I would suggest you use full.
 

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nlambert182

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Green (auto) only applies the EB when needed to keep you at whatever speed you were going when you let off the throttle or when you press the brake. Orange (full) engages the EB every time you lift your foot off the pedal. That's really personal preference, but as stevenP said... run T/H mode for sure and it will make the EB more aggressive because it will hold the gear longer. The higher the RPM, the more aggressive the braking.

I personally always run full EB when towing, but that's personal preference.
 

JayLeonard

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I don’t use tow/haul. With the wimpy load I’m towing it shifts and brakes fine without it.
 

stevenP

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I have always been very impressed at how effective the EB works on the Cummins. I had a silverado with the duramax (LBL) before this, and it worked well too, but not as as aggressive as the cummins is when towing my RV. There is a page in the DIC that shows how much HP is being generated in the EB braking process. I have seen mine register over 100hp at times.

I am grateful this EB system works so well, cause I have always thought the brakes were lack luster on the HDs so far. But the truck does weigh in at 8700lbs by itself.
 

joesstripclub

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I towed our toy hauler (11k gross) fully loaded up to Taylor Park when we lived in Denver without issue with my gasser PW. Even made it down the last steep grade when my trailer brakes failed. You will probably barely notice the trailer with your truck, just don't be in a hurry to get anywhere and you should be fine.
 

nwhunter55

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When I bought our 2020 2500 I was looking for a 6.4 but none were available with discounts, yet I could one with the cummings with an $8000 discount, so I went diesel, and have not regretted it.
My favorite feature is the exhaust brake. That and 22 mpg with a crew cab truck with an 8' bed.
 

Dave1200

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I love in really hilly country, so I use mine most of the time. In manual mode, if works just like the big trucks. If you take your for of the accelerator, it comes on. If you want to slow due without the EB, take hold the accelerator just a touch, not quite letting go of the pressure. There is a sweet spot where you aren't adding fuel, but your not breaking.
When using the cruise control, I find that the automatic mode works best. You can also use it without the cc. The break will come on if you start downhill, or you tap the break pedal. You can still use slight pressure on the accelerator if you don't want it to come on.
Just remember, the EB ID just a break assist. If helps to save your breaks during long breaking. Always use your foot break for quick breaking.
 

rving4us

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We took the same trip in 2016 from SC. Only difference was I had a dually and 17,000 lb fifth wheel. You will not have any issues. I used cruise control most of the time . There were times I had to tap the brakes but no hard braking, turn the EB on (it works great on a cummins) there were times I actually had to accelerate to get back up to speed. Enjoy your trip it's awesome.
 

pathvet

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2020 350dually with 4wd and Aisen tranny. The exhaust brake is the most beneficial improvement that I have had . I tow 17k trailer and coming down Cajon Pass, all i do is get off the acclerator and let the tranny and EB do the rest. Hardly ever have to touch the brakes at all.
I love my BEAST
 

Green_Manalishi

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I love in really hilly country, so I use mine most of the time. In manual mode, if works just like the big trucks. If you take your for of the accelerator, it comes on. If you want to slow due without the EB, take hold the accelerator just a touch, not quite letting go of the pressure. There is a sweet spot where you aren't adding fuel, but your not breaking.
When using the cruise control, I find that the automatic mode works best. You can also use it without the cc. The break will come on if you start downhill, or you tap the break pedal. You can still use slight pressure on the accelerator if you don't want it to come on.
Just remember, the EB ID just a break assist. If helps to save your breaks during long breaking. Always use your foot break for quick breaking.
Concur. Mine is always on, towing or not.
 

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