Engine Brake and gas mileage

[Phil57]

I leave mine in almost all the time. Exception is for wet roads. I do know that my brake lights are on but my EvenBrake is not activated. I just apply a touch of gas pedal to keep the exhaust brake from being activated. So what do we call the gas pedal when driving a diesel? Diesel pedal? Weird.

[5456Mich]

Accelerator pedal !

[CAT-RN]

Off except when I need it. I hate the brake lights staying on. I always comment on someone who taps their brakes all the time. So I don't want to be the one everyone is talking about.

Russell

[I-RV]

I especially use the engine brake on suburban highways that have a lot of traffic lights with abnormally high speed limits (like 50-55 mph). It is one thing to make the split go/no-go decision in a car when the light turns amber, as compared with a 16 ton vehicle. On these type highways I need all the braking that I can muster. I also learned early in driving a MH, to keep a good distance from the 4-wheeler in front. Sometimes they surprise you and they jam on the brakes for the light and hence you do not want to be close.
Hank

[Fairenatic]

Rarely use mine unless carrying a very heavy load on a very long or steep grade.

[accumack]

I feel it is a safety item and should be on most of the time. If you need it and it is off it's not a pretty picture! The old adage better to be safe than sorry. Who cares if the brake lights come on maybe people will give the more room rather than tailgating.

[po 185]

I use mine all the time I tow 1/2 ton pick-up with a club car atv in the back

[peterbilt]

brake lights do not come on and dodge dealer told me to leave mine on all the time i have 2007.5 ram 2500 with cummins 6.7

[TwiceTheIce]

We are not discussing Dodges. This is a Berkshire forum. That is the vehicle of which we speak.

[Phil57]

Originally Posted by peterbilt

brake lights do not come on and dodge dealer told me to leave mine on all the time i have 2007.5 ram 2500 with cummins 6.7

The light thing on pickups must go year to year as some say theirs are activated. On a Moho they do come on. Not sure if it's a DOT rule or not but all diesel Moho that I have seen the lights are activated with the exhaust brake. That's where the confusion comes in. A lot is the same but the differences are important.

[DSQR]

Originally Posted by doc73

Not an expert but with driving a firetruck at least.. I was told to keep it off in rain and snow. I was told.. It MAY induce loss of control under the right (or wrong) conditions.

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It defeats the purpose of the anti-lock braking system on the TV. Anti-lock "pumps" the brakes in low traction situations to keep the wheels turning so you have some measure of steering control. In a low-traction situation, exhaust braking may cause loss of wheel traction.

Would be interesting to hear from an industry insider as to whether the electronics are programmed to disable exhaust braking if wheel traction loss is sensed.

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by DSQR

It defeats the purpose of the anti-lock braking system on the TV. Anti-lock "pumps" the brakes in low traction situations to keep the wheels turning so you have some measure of steering control. In a low-traction situation, exhaust braking may cause loss of wheel traction.

Would be interesting to hear from an industry insider as to whether the electronics are programmed to disable exhaust braking if wheel traction loss is sensed.

I've had the rear end go sideways on ice, from the exhaust brake....


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[Phil57]

We can discuss either the exhaust brake in a Moho or the exhaust brake on a pickup. I'm happy either way but they are apples and oranges and are just confusing me and I'm sure everyone else that was trying to get Moho info. I have no wish to get into a thing about this. I'm not saying to not chime in with info. Most of the systems for RV's cross over but not all. No one needs to get all hurt feelings but please read the post and either know the difference or ask what is the difference. Now I'm most likely the bad guy again.

[NO3putt]

Everything I looked up says not to use exhaust brakes when in wet or icy conditions. Also one article said using you exhaust brake will increase you brakes life 3 times.

And no Phil, your not the bad guy.
Skip

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by Phil57

We can discuss either the exhaust brake in a Moho or the exhaust brake on a pickup. I'm happy either way but they are apples and oranges and are just confusing me and I'm sure everyone else that was trying to get Moho info. I have no wish to get into a thing about this. I'm not saying to not chime in with info. Most of the systems for RV's cross over but not all. No one needs to get all hurt feelings but please read the post and either know the difference or ask what is the difference. Now I'm most likely the bad guy again.

No worries! I'll butt out.

Although, eb is no different from your mh to my ram...


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[doc73]

Originally Posted by DSQR

It defeats the purpose of the anti-lock braking system on the TV. Anti-lock "pumps" the brakes in low traction situations to keep the wheels turning so you have some measure of steering control. In a low-traction situation, exhaust braking may cause loss of wheel traction.

Would be interesting to hear from an industry insider as to whether the electronics are programmed to disable exhaust braking if wheel traction loss is sensed.

I did not want to say because I was not sure.. But after reading your response, I vaguely remembered the reason being (so they told me) was the EB can cause the wheel the "skip" when it activates. which would indeed cause a loss of traction.

Phil: Must be a DOT thing. Our older trucks never activated the brakes until we hit the 2008 or 09 time period when all the new rigs came in this way so I am sure they did change or require something along the lines.

EDIT: off on my dates... Prob closer to early 2000's

[dreamin533]

Hi all, just wanted to put in my 2 cents. I used to drive 18 wheelers and the only time the engine brake was used, turned on, was to slow for exits or around towns where the traffic speed was up and down and on steep down hill grades. On the highways the brake was always off. I have a selectable 2 stage engine brake and most of the time I only need the low or minimum selection. I drive my Berkshire the same way and my mileage is around 13.5 without the toad and around 12 with the toad. I am running the 7.2 L Mercedes with the Allison 3000 tranny. I always use the econo mode on the highway and it helps the mileage. I try and keep the highway speed between 60 - 63 mph. I hope this helps anyone trying to decide whether on or off.

[ernest917]

dreaming533...

I have the same set up ..... I LOVE my Mercedes engine....


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[bareftn]

Originally Posted by ernest917

I'm with Dan-nickel.... Only use mine going down steep grades... Haven't faced rain but will use it then as well....


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Never ever use jake brake or cruse control in the rain, snow or ice your just looking for a place to have a accident in the right conditions and you wont know what they are until its to late. Just ask your insurance its it ok in the rain and snow.
Your owners manual will tell you the same thing

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by bareftn

Never ever use jake brake or cruse control in the rain, snow or ice your just looking for a place to have a accident in the right conditions and you wont know what they are until its to late. Just ask your insurance its it ok in the rain and snow.
Your owners manual will tell you the same thing

Actually, most newer abs/esp programs will cut cruise control if there is any difference between the 4 wheel speed sensors.
Faster than you can lift your foot off the accelerator pedal.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS