There has been a lot of bashing the Ford exhaust braking. But this week I had a opportunity to see it work at yet another speed. I did a job up in the Eaglewood area north of Salt Lake. These homes are WAY up on the east bench. The road in is a 12% for several miles in length. This road has signs prohibiting any vehicles over 10,000lbs because they have had too many trucks end up parked in somebody's front room at the bottom of the hill.

The prefered road had some construction going on it so I used the opportunity to disregard the warning signs prohibiting 10,000+lbs vehicles and went up and down the 12% grade with my skid loader and miniexcavator in tow. My equipment is around 7,000lbs and the tilt bed trailer is 3,000lbs. So about a 10,000 load behind the truck.

I locked out all but 1st gear and let the truck go. I never touched the brakes except at the two stops signs where I had to come to a complete stop. The engine ran at 3,000rpm and about 20 mph down the entire grade. It is a 25mph street, So I felt fine creeping down the hill at 20mph.

I really can't complain about a system that will hold 18,000 lbs(truck and trailer) to 20 mph down a 12% grade. I know our system has some holes in the gearing ratios. In particular the ones that the chevy exploited in the showdown. But if you get the truck in the right gear at 3000-3500 rpm. mine has done very well with loads in the 10,000 to 13,000lb range.

Yesterday, I took the horses up on the mountain, MY horse trailer with 4 horses is about 13,000 lbs. I came down a 8% grade at 40 mph in 2nd gear at 3400 rpm with out any brakes. So it is all about getting the right gear and rpm to hold the load.

I'm not saying that the competition doesn't have stronger exhaust brakes, but rather saying our system does do a good job once you learn it limits and work within them.

 

Fantastic real-world report. I would rep you but I can't.
Once each owner figures out the system, you understand that it gets the job done.
I understand the reaction for some when they first get their truck because it's not a simple button you push like the GMC.
This engine seems to like the 3,000+ RPM range for engine braking.

 

I have used my exhaust braking several times. First time was towing an 8000lb camper. Second time I was empty but used it going down a 15 degree hill in the mountains, both times it work like a champ. Couldn't ask for anything better.

 

I use mine all the time towing and I am very pleased with it, I have a 4.10 rear end in a chassis cab which may help the learning curve a bit but I come from an older 5.9 without any engine help and boy this is a major improvement. Hauling 14,00 to 16,000# and using the truck breaks very sparinling going down some serious hills is a big comfort.

 

I've used it several times and the latest coming out of Flagstaff. It works great and does a wonderful job slowing the truck down. I only had about 8k or so behind me, but it did great.

 

If you ask me thats quite impressive on a 12% grade.

 

I tow a 12,000 5th wheel trailer and travel in the mountains a lot. I am quit satisfied with the way the exhaust brake works.

 

6% and 7% grades are pretty common, every once in a while I come across an 8%. This is the first time I've actually seen a sign posted saying 12% on a public road.

Hence my report. I was impressed also.

 

i took a trip to Moab UT from here in C-Springs a few weeks ago hauling my Scout rock crawler. i only had to feather the brakes a couple times down Vail and Eisenhower passes. took Hwy 50 out and only had to touch the brakes once on Monarch because of a slower big truck going down.
i was pretty happy with the way it worked. once you get used to the higher RPM's it's no big deal. just put it in tow/haul and let it do it's thing.

 

Speaking of steep grades I've done #4 & #7.
10 Toughest Tows In America - Black Mountain - Diesel Power Magazine

 

Great feedback Phorse. I really like the way the truck holds my toyhauler and truck at 45MPH coming down a long steep grade here, and yes about 3000 RPM. Never have to use brakes.

 

I just did another trip on some hills in PA and NY.
Still have the same opinion of the engine braking (not exhaust brake)
On the highway pulling 18K the system works great. So much so that I turn off the cruise and T/H mode to allow the truck to speed up going down the long hills.

But if I don't touch it the truck will maintain the set speed up and down the hill. Does a good job.
Now off he highway onto the 2 lane country roads the truck really needs an exhaust or turbo brake (like the Banks kit)

No way would the truck keep the speed in check without frequent use of the service brakes.

Now if I could put a Telma retarder on the truck it would be slick.

 

Good report PH !
wow - 12% - sounds steep enough to spill your drink in the cup holder !

I use the tow/haul all the time for engine braking - even unloaded and around town....

if I see a need to stop ahead, many times I just punch the button and don't touch the brakes until I need to... tranny is a lot tougher than my brake pads - and it's covered under warranty

And on more than one occasion that habit has saved my bacon when pulling the 5er in traffic and a doofus does something stupid pulling in front of 23k going 50 mph !

nice to hear the tranny and engine snick into lower gears quicker than I could to slow us down quickly !