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04-11-2016, 12:35 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Trumbauersville, PA
Posts: 58
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Engine Brake and gas mileage
Does anyone driving a Berk or Charleston drive all the time with their engine brake on? I have been doing it since I got the unit last summer and like the fact that it controls my braking better but I also wonder if I am losing gas mileage because of it. I can't seem to break the 10mpg ceiling and many out there say I could expect higher MPG. On a recent roundtrip from Philly area to Buffalo with almost 75% of it on thruways, I maxed out at 9.4mpg. Thanks. 
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2015 Berkshire XL 40BH
Toad 2015 Chevy Equinox LTZ V6
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04-11-2016, 12:54 PM
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#2
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2011 Berkshire 390BH
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Lancaster, NY
Posts: 1,063
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Boxers-rule,
I have not noticed a MPG difference in driving with the engine brake on. The only time I do not drive with it on is in wet weather, which can cause you big problems when your brakes lock up (found this out at a Freightliner Seminar last year). I have driven for the past 4 1/2 years with the Engine Brake switch on. It has also "saved" me a number of times when someone pulls in front of me and suddenly stops or turn right unexpectedly! Craig
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Craig
Finally completed all State visits in August 2011 with a trip to North Dakota.
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04-11-2016, 01:39 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 195
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Do you use the "Mode" or economy mode on the transmission? I have the Allison 3000 and will use it if driving through flat terrain.
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04-11-2016, 01:39 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 290
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Superchief
Boxers-rule,
I have not noticed a MPG difference in driving with the engine brake on. The only time I do not drive with it on is in wet weather, which can cause you big problems when your brakes lock up (found this out at a Freightliner Seminar last year). I have driven for the past 4 1/2 years with the Engine Brake switch on. It has also "saved" me a number of times when someone pulls in front of me and suddenly stops or turn right unexpectedly! Craig
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Craig- I am also leaving mine on most of the time, but did not now about the rain issue (haven't driven with it on in the rain and won't do so after reading your post).
Hope you're doing well Craig!
-Glenn
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Glenn and Darcy
2018 Berkshire 39A
2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited/Blackbear (toad)
Pacific Northwest
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04-11-2016, 01:42 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 522
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No difference I always have engine brake on. It may be your driving style. I've gotten as high as 12.4 mpg with the brake on. average 10.2 mpg overall. low of 8.2 mpg over the content divide 6 times in a day, high of 12.5 on flat land in a 2011 390RB40. I drive at a top speed of about 62 mph any higher and the milage drops quickly from the drag of the Berk.
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2011 Berkshire 390-rb-40, upgraded tires and front axle airbags, 2012 Jeep Wrangler 2 door, Blue Ox baseplate and BlueOx aladdin tow bar, Blue Ox Patriot brake system, wiring run through right frame rail and homemade led taillight bar.FB.
Ham KG5LTL.
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04-11-2016, 02:44 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 1,675
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I'm in the group that leaves mine off unless needed in hilly Terrain. I don't want my brake coming on every time I let off the gas to Coast down a hill or because a truck in front is slower. I also Understand the brake lights come on each time you let off the throttle and I do not want that either.
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Dan
2014 Berkshire 390RB-60
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04-11-2016, 03:17 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: On Another Adventure
Posts: 2,563
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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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04-11-2016, 03:20 PM
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#8
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Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
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Quote:
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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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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Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
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04-11-2016, 03:27 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Island (Nassau County), NY
Posts: 4,352
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Quote:
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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X2!! Was told never to use it in rain or snow for the same reason doc stated.
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Tom and Margaret
2014 Berkshire 390bh-60
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04-11-2016, 03:39 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,464
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Engine Brake and gas mileage
Quote:
Originally Posted by dan-nickie
I also Understand the brake lights come on each time you let off the throttle and I do not want that either.
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You bring up an interesting point.
I have often wondered if the brake lights did, in fact come on.
When towing with my truck, the engine brake will slow me from 100 kph right down to about 15 kph.
Without using the foot brake.
Have you confirmed the brake lights?
2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS
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2017 Dynamax Isata 4
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04-11-2016, 03:54 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 79
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I leave it on in the "low" setting but will use "high" for steep terrain. I would not use it in snow. The brake light DOES come on with exhaust brake. BEWARE THOSE OF YOU WHOSE TOAD BRAKE SYSTEMS ARE ACTIVATED BY BRAKE LIGHT!!
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2016 Berkshire XLT 43a
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04-11-2016, 04:03 PM
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#12
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Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
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I know our FD trucks brake lights came on.. Wonder about my regular truck as well now.
Never would have thought about the toad brakes.. That could suck.
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Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
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04-11-2016, 04:11 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 79
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It will not activate the Brake Buddy, but there are others that it will activate. (This was something I specifically looked for when we set-up the toad). I can only imagine how that will wear the brakes of a toad, with just the toad brakes trying to stop the motor home.
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2016 Berkshire XLT 43a
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04-11-2016, 04:27 PM
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#14
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Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
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That's when the smoke starts showing on that smart car!
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Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
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04-11-2016, 05:49 PM
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#15
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Berkshire 390QS
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,489
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We leave the exhaust brake on all the time, as to the mode it depends on in city, hills etc. Usually turn off the exhaust brake when road is wet. brake light come on when exhaust brake kicks in.
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2011: 54 days, 2012: 218 days, 2013: 175 days, 2014: 196 days
2015: 188 days, 2016: 72 days, 2017: 185 days: 2018 182 days
2019: 156 days (2009 Berkshire, 390QS, and toad)
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04-11-2016, 05:55 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: On Another Adventure
Posts: 2,563
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I'm not sure I understand the advantages of leaving it on all the time.... Seems like you'd want to have the ability to "coast" at times and that would take that advantage away wouldn't it????
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04-11-2016, 07:15 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 741
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I only use mine when I need it. I like 150.5 mpg coasting down hills! On cruise control the engine brake is never engaged.
Paul
2015 XL 40QL-60
2015 Jeep Wrangler Unltd. Sahara
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04-11-2016, 07:28 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: On Another Adventure
Posts: 2,563
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Aw man... I only got 126.8...
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04-11-2016, 07:34 PM
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#19
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Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
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So I am not the only one that finds this oddly satisfying..
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Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
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04-11-2016, 07:39 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 157
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The engine brake being on or off will not effect fuel mileage. It is simply a auxiliary brake and that is it. It uses the engine to slow the vehicle down when the accelerator is in the off position. With out getting into specifics of its operation, it couldn't be simpler. .if you'd like to know more google "how an engine compression brake works". Or "how a Jacob's brake works".or Jake brake
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