Exhaust Brake Worthwhile?

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mac92129

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Mar 28, 2005
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I recently bought a 35' 1990 HMC with a Cat 3208 turbo diesel pusher on a Gillig chassis.  The GVWR is 31,000 pounds and the stopping power is less than impressive.  I've considered adding an exhaust brake for my frequent travel in hilly country, but I've read that they are inneffiective on the 3208 because the engine cannot withstand excessive backpressure. 

Does anyone have experience with an exhaust brake on the 3208? 

John
 
mac92129 said:
I recently bought a 35' 1990 HMC with a Cat 3208 turbo diesel pusher on a Gillig chassis.? The GVWR is 31,000 pounds and the stopping power is less than impressive.? I've considered adding an exhaust brake for my frequent travel in hilly country, but I've read that they are inneffiective on the 3208 because the engine cannot withstand excessive backpressure.?

Does anyone have experience with an exhaust brake on the 3208??

John
Click to expand...

Welcome to the RV Forum and Congratulation on your recent purchase of the HMC.  A couple of the framily have had the HMC in the past,

I have no knowledge regarding the Cat 3208 but hopefully someone here will have.? However, IMHO the exhaust brake is is a must have item unless you have the jake brake on a diesel MH.? I would give the cat dealer a call and ask questions.

 
John

Like Ron, I believe either an exhaust brake or an integral engine brake is essential on a large coach. Unfortunately, my coach has a Cummins engine. I just checked the CAT web site, but couldn't find any information. Hoefully, one of our members with a CAT engine will jump in.
 
My wife and I both drive our motorhome.  We both feel that if a manufacturer could give us either more horsepower or more Jake brake (Pac Brake) we would take the Jake brake.  Horsepower can be dangerous.  Jake (PAC) brakes are safety!

JerryF
 
Hi John and welcome to the RV Forum.  We are happy to see you here.  I had a 1994 HMC Hawk with the Cummins B-5.9-230 engine.  I had a Pac Brake added and found it to be indispensable.  As I remember, it was important to have the installer set the Pac-Brake's back pressure so that it did not exceed the allowable back pressure on the engine's valves.  Check with a Cat dealer as to what your 3208 can handle.  The main thing is to avoid valve float when the Pac-Brake is activated.
 
Thanks everybody for your input.  I can't find a manufacturer of on engine brake for the 3208TA.  Further, from input I've received, I'm concerned that installation of an exhaust brake will not be effective. 
 
JerArdra said:
My wife and I both drive our motorhome.  We both feel that if a manufacturer could give us either more horsepower or more Jake brake (Pac Brake) we would take the Jake brake.  Horsepower can be dangerous.  Jake (PAC) brakes are safety!

JerryF
Click to expand...

Jerry,

They could give us more braking but won't. Actually, it's the engine manufacturer that won't. I complained about mine the last time we were at the service center. I was told Cummins won't mention it but they drilled two holes in the butterfly of the exhaust brake because they were experiencing too many burnt valves. This solved their problem but gave us less braking.

I still wouldn't be without the exhaust brake. It works well on long downgrades keeping the coach at desired speed and does help slowing the coach when coming to a stop though we must use the service brake more than I would like. As everyone has said, don't leave home without it! :)

 
mac92129 said:
I recently bought a 35' 1990 HMC with a Cat 3208 turbo diesel pusher on a Gillig chassis.  The GVWR is 31,000 pounds and the stopping power is less than impressive.  I've considered adding an exhaust brake for my frequent travel in hilly country, but I've read that they are inneffiective on the 3208 because the engine cannot withstand excessive backpressure. 

Does anyone have experience with an exhaust brake on the 3208? 

John
Click to expand...

Howdy, John.
Bluebird used that engine in their SPs and there are a number of owners of those coaches on the Wanderlodge Forum on YAHOO.
Here is the URL:    http://www.wanderlodge.org 

Regards,
Liz

 
If your 3208 is not compativble with the back-pressure of an exhaust brake, consider a different type of retarder, e.g. the Telma Retarder or maybe Allison's transmission mounted retarder. I don't know if the Allison can be added after the tranny is built, but folks who have them seem very pleased.
 
    John
    I had a exhause brake on my last Foretravel with a 3208 cat for 10 years. It worked very well. The exhaust brake was Mountain Tamer. A place
                                                              in Phoenix AZ.sold and installed it. This was a gate operated not a butterfly. Worked off the air system. Don.t know if they are still in business or not. I think the system was Williamson Co. out of OR. or WA.
    My Foretravel i have now has a trans. retarder that works very well.  Jim-488
 
RV Roamer said:
If your 3208 is not compativble with the back-pressure of an exhaust brake, consider a different type of retarder, e.g. the Telma Retarder or maybe Allison's transmission mounted retarder. I don't know if the Allison can be added after the tranny is built, but folks who have them seem very pleased.
Click to expand...

Gary -

I queried a Telma/Allison specialist in the Dallas area.  The eddy current retarder costs about 7 grand.  He mentioned that my AT545 can be modified and a transmission retarder can be added.  I will speak to him next week about the cost. 

Thanks again everyone.
 
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