Grade Brake Upgrade by Brazel's

[skipsor]

I am in Centralia, WA today for a lube, oil & filter at Brazel's RV. While I was there I decided to get the Grade Brake Upgrade they have come up with. I already have their Ultrapower so I thought, why not?

They told me that besides helping with slowing me down in the hills it would also allow the OD to come in at 51 mph instead of 57.

As I was driving back to the RV park I got up to 48 mph and bingo, OD. Because there was traffic in front of me the speed dropped to about 42-44 mph and it was still in OD at about 12-1400 rpm.

Haven't had it on the road yet but it sure looks interesting. I will update this post as the experience increases. That will happen tomorrow as we go from Centralia, WA to Salem, OR and then home to California. Besides I5 we will be going over California 299 from Redding to Eureka, a road that is not known for being straight and level. What the heck, let's get to the torture test right away.

More to follow.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipsor More to follow.

Can't wait to hear a follow up! I have been running mine for almost a year.

[Rocky 2]

We always stop at Mike and Jon's when near Centralia, Wa. I assume they updated your UP. You might consider cutting over to 101 at Grant's Pass and enjoy the drive through more of the redwoods. The road over will test you but not as much as 299 to Arcata.

[skipsor]

I would but we need to stop in Redding before we go to the coast. Thanks for the tip, it was something we looked at but Redding won.

[skipsor]

I like the grade brake upgrade for several reasons but let me back up a little.

Had it installed on Friday and left Centralia on Saturday. We drove to Salem, OR but not really a good test of the upgrade. Same thing on Sunday going from Salem to Medford,OR.

Today, Monday, was test day. We left Medford and drove about 30 miles back north to Grants Pass and took hwy 199 over to hwy 101, lots of grades on that route and the grade brake performed as advertised, except Mike Bronzini told me the OD would kick in a 51 mph instead of 57 mph. Wrong. There were many times the transmission went into OD at 46-47 mph and it would stay in OD down to 41-42 mph. That was a very pleasant surprise because, very often, cruising through small towns I'd get stuck for several miles below 50 mph and all of that was in 4th gear. Before the upgrade the transmission would drop out of OD at around 50 mph. I haven't had a chance to check the mileage but I'm hoping to see a small increase.

With the brake system on I would apply a small amount of pressure on the brake pedal and there was an instant downshift. If I wanted to go down one more gear just a little more pressure on the brakes would result in another very quick downshift. To get back into OD just a bit of pressure on the gas and you are right back into OD again.

The guys at Brazel's got it right. Thanks Brazel's.

[CoastieSCPO]

Thanks for the report. The performance of your new grade brake sounds great and will certainly make driving safer and more enjoyable. Living in Tennessee, we don't have a reputable place like Brazels around for me to get the much needed upgrades to my 2004 W-20. I wish that they were closer but next year, we're planning a trip to the northwest and I will no doubt, stop at Centralia to get some stuff done to my rig.

Bob