Another dumb question

[spock123]

Do you need a extended pin box on a long bed truck?


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[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by spock123

Do you need a extended pin box on a long bed truck?


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No if I understand you correctly.

[davel1971]

I always use tow/haul and exhaust brake when towing. As far as the "exhaust brake prohibited" signs go, I can't even hear mine engaging when braking, but I can sure hear all the trucks coming past my neighborhood that didn't read the sign.

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

If it is towing ANYTHING, I keep it engaged in the Tow/Haul mode, up hill, down hill, flat land.

Agreed, except my bass boat or ATV trailer. They're light.

[asquared]

Originally Posted by SilverbackMel

On a 5% grade, going down, with my tow mode AND exhaust brake, I actually have to accelerate! Now that's a warm and fuzzy feeling. If you have ever in your life experienced brake failure due to heat you hear me!! Brake systems have improved in the past 30 years. My failure was in the mountains in an early Lincoln Continental ( it was NEW at the time). My 2500 Dodge, 6.7 Cummins is my BABY! �� tow a 36 ft Silverback and am a happy camper. ��

been there done that coming down a 7% grade in my armada towing a 7300 lb tt and no truck runaway ramps to be found. Bought a diesel that same season.

OP- I always use my tow/haul mode and exhaust brake when towing. It helps take the stress out of towing for me. I also use both in snowy or icy conditions as it is less brakes I will need in that mess. Momma loves her diesel and won't tow with a gasser ever again.

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by asquared

I also use both in snowy or icy conditions as it is less brakes I will need in that mess.

that is actually not a good practice. You end up using the rear wheels for braking, via the engine, and make it likely for the rear to come around on you. Braking with the pedal puts more to the front, which is what you definitely want in slippery conditions.

[RKR]

Originally Posted by davel1971

that is actually not a good practice. You end up using the rear wheels for braking, via the engine, and make it likely for the rear to come around on you. Braking with the pedal puts more to the front, which is what you definitely want in slippery conditions.

X2 on this. If towing that's a jackknife waiting to happen.


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[asquared]

I never tow in bad conditions. I grew up in MD and NJ driving in snow and ice and this works really well for me. Maybe because the way in which I do it using engine combined with brakes?

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by asquared

I never tow in bad conditions. I grew up in MD and NJ driving in snow and ice and this works really well for me. Maybe because the way in which I do it using engine combined with brakes?

just not a good practice. You only have as much braking as the tires can stick to the road surface, so having more braking on the lightest part of the truck (rear) is a bad thing. I'm sure you have ABS. It only is of any good when braking normally. It will stop best as conditions allow, and you will still have steering. When engine braking brings the rear around, nothing you can do at that point

[RKR]

I guess the concern would be that a novice driver would read the quote that engine brakes are are good to use in inclement weather.
Cruise control and engine brakes are no bueno in inclement weather. Glad it works for you. Happy camping.



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[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by asquared

I never tow in bad conditions. I grew up in MD and NJ driving in snow and ice and this works really well for me. Maybe because the way in which I do it using engine combined with brakes?

I agree it works when not towing, but it is a definite No No while towing.

[Sterlingsilver]

I only use tow haul when I need it, mostly stop and go driving and hilly side roads. The more you can use overdrive the better the gas mileage as long as it's not at the expense of brakes and the transmission. Transmission temperature is the big limiting factor.

[WolfWhistle]

Originally Posted by Sterlingsilver

I only use tow haul when I need it, mostly stop and go driving and hilly side roads. The more you can use overdrive the better the gas mileage as long as it's not at the expense of brakes and the transmission. Transmission temperature is the big limiting factor.

There are diffences with the brands and maybe whether gas or diesel truck. My Ram CTD (2012, 2500) runs top gear in TH mode. It just changes the transmission shift patterns, and it will shift down on a steep downgrade, when using the EB. You can have TH without the EB, or EB only with my truck. I had it on a 2010 Chevy half-ton, I can't remember what it did

[Sterlingsilver]

Right on pretty much for the Chevy to. The key is in how much the tranny stays in OD and how soon it upshifts to get there. That's money in your pocket. I suggest using TH only when needed. You get to determine when you need it. My rig seldom needs it. Newer trucks have more torque. I get around 12 MPG pulling a 38 CK modestly loaded.

[Crusadernoob]

I always use T/H mode while towing, not only does it increase shift points, it locks the TC very early. It also helps a great deal while downshifting and holds gears to use the high compression of a diesel engine for slowing, I love it. As far as an exhaust brake I use mine when towing also, it will stay engaged down to 20 mph. With T/H and the exhaust brake I don't need brakes very much. As far as a jake brake, these are NOT jake brakes, they basically just use the turbo to create the back pressure, you only hear the turbo whistle.

[Sterlingsilver]

Got no problem with that; it just sucks fuel.

[WolfWhistle]

Nope, no Jacobs braking system here. That would blow the head(s) off our little trucks.

[davel1971]

tow/haul doesn't necessarily lock out overdrive. Still uses all 6 speeds of my Allison trans just the same as when not towing. It does change some of the trans functions that you don't feel in lots of vehicles, such as running more pressure. Would you rather save your trans or get another .5 MPG?

[WolfWhistle]

Originally Posted by davel1971

tow/haul doesn't necessarily lock out overdrive. Still uses all 6 speeds of my Allison trans just the same as when not towing. It does change some of the trans functions that you don't feel in lots of vehicles, such as running more pressure. Would you rather save your trans or get another .5 MPG?

Thats a no brainer, the .5 mpg hands down. You would only take one gazillon years to break even, then save, save, save!

[2 for the road]

I have a 2012 Silverado with a D/A. I use tow haul 99 percent of the time. Our trucks don't want to shift into overdrive until about 67-69 mph on the flat. So what I do is once up to my cruising speed of 64-65 mph I disengage the tow haul, the transmission shifts into overdrive, then I re-engage tow haul and go merrily along my way in overdrive. Other option is to get up to 67-68 mph and let up on the pedal and it shifts to overdrive, set the cruise at 65 and go merrily along the way.
Exhaust brake, I use in hilly terrain and once I exit the expressway. I like the extra help with stopping.