PacBrake PRXB

[snowman1]

Had Brazel's in Washington state swap out the OE Pacbrake for the PRXB about three years ago. Big difference below 45 mph, really slows the rig down and we're about 32K lbs. Hardly have to touch the service brakes to come to a complete stop.

Coming down mountain passes at freeway speeds about the same as the OE but I knew that from reading reviews and researching.

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by snowman1

Had Brazel's in Washington state swap out the OE Pacbrake for the PRXB about three years ago. Big difference below 45 mph, really slows the rig down and we're about 32K lbs. Hardly have to touch the service brakes to come to a complete stop.

Coming down mountain passes at freeway speeds about the same as the OE but I knew that from reading reviews and researching.

This is what I figured but, until you confirmed it, I couldn't get anyone to admit it. Thanks.
Scott

[Mr_D]

The above is correct. Works better at lower speeds but no improvement at higher speeds. I believe that's what the ads say too.Have

[Gadget Man]

Below is a page out of PacBrake’s PRXB brochure. This is what convinced me to try the PRXB. While I don’t buy their 1500’ claim, I’d be happy with a mere 50’ improvement. I knew it wouldn’t help me on all downhill grades, but I figured it should help some on steep ones.




I took my MH to Colton Truck Terminal Garage today to have them figure out why I noticed no improvement with the PRXB. Here’s what they determined:

Years ago, I installed a pyrometer. When installing the exhaust probe, I drilled the probe hole in a bad location on my exhaust manifold, one that wouldn’t allow the probe to sink deep enough. I plugged that hole and installed the probe in a better location. Fast forward to today: the increased back pressure of the PRXB blew out my plug, so when I activated the exhaust brake, some of the exhaust back pressure exited through the hole in the manifold. So in other words, one modification screwed up another modification! I checked the exhaust for leaks immediately after installing the PRXB, but I didn’t check it again after my initial test drive. If I had, I would have saved myself additional headache and $$.

Now that the manifold is plugged once again (hopefully for good), I can feel the PRXB doing it’s job. While I’m not overly impressed with it’s performance, I haven’t tested it yet under proper conditions - while towing my dingy. I’ll know then if all my efforts were worth it.

[Gadget Man]

Fire Up,

Brett Wolfe didn’t weigh in on this conversation, but he is quoted in the PRXB brochure. The brochure must be old, as the Cat RV Club was renamed the Diesel RV Club several years ago.