Community Forums

RickO · 05-30-2012, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeandClaudia

Be sure that you DO NOT use the brake and your cruise at the same time.

Why?

Rick

bill2011 · 05-31-2012, 03:42 AM

Mike an Claudia,
On mine brake will not engage while cruise is activated. Is this why you say not to use both together? If I am gaining speed going downhill with cruise activated I just hit cancel on cruise and brake engages then I hit resume when I have slowed and cruise takes over. Is this not OK?

AGP · 05-31-2012, 05:12 AM

What is the problem with exhaust brake on and cruise engaged?

nightriderrv · 05-31-2012, 05:52 AM

I too can relate on the EB from past truck driving it will get you in a bind with bad road conditions mainly ice that unit will skate on you I always like to coast and from habit will just flip on and off when needed like for hills or on coming stop lights

Dr4Film · 05-31-2012, 08:26 AM

Some coaches are not wired to have both the Exhaust Brake Switch on and the cruise control switch on and activated.

Mine came exactly that way from the factory but later the ECM's were flash with the Latching Program to allow for the Cruise Control to be on and working ALONG with the PacBrake Switch on such that once the cruise has been cancelled, the Exhaust Brake will activate immediately.

There are many posts related to this topic. Do a search and enjoy the reading.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

wimberleyman · 05-31-2012, 09:07 AM

The responses have been very informative. Can someone provide me a link to a "brake switch" web-site. This sounds like something I might want to add. I assume this is differnt from the RTDR switch on my dash.

JohnFreyja · 05-31-2012, 09:17 AM

I agree with Dr4Film.. Most of the time my exhaust brake is on all the time and gives immediate deceleration when someone cuts in front or a signal ahead changes. I use it with the cruise control but it doesn't act as quickly and allows about 5 to 10 mph gain down a hill before it activates. I don't use it on rolling hills if not using the cruise to allow for coasting on the down hills to help with mileage. Many posts in other forum's particularly the CAT Owners forum.

siggyd · 05-31-2012, 10:42 AM

Wimberleyman,you can find the info at www.brakeswitch.com
Siggy D.

AFChap · 05-31-2012, 10:57 AM

I too have my exhaust brake on most of the time. With cruise engaged it will keep speeds controlled on downgrades. I do normally turn it off in open country with gentle hills and little traffic.

wimberleyman · 05-31-2012, 08:51 PM

Thanks siggyd. I will definitely check this out.

Geezer80 · 06-01-2012, 04:41 AM

Dr4Film: I'm showing my ignorance here, but you DON'T have jacks for leveling when parked? I assumed every class A had them. What do you do to level the coach when you park at a campground?

LokiGT · 06-01-2012, 07:46 AM

I was told not to use the jacks when stored for the season because they could end up rusting or wearing out the return springs. Since it was the dealer that told me this I am naturally suspicious, they have yet to be right on much.

I drive the rig twice a month during winter storage so I don't put the jacks down when stored. Heck the tires have such a short life span I'm not worried about taking some of the weight off, they were designed to handle it so I doubt it matters.

RickO · 06-01-2012, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyringo

Dr4Film: I'm showing my ignorance here, but you DON'T have jacks for leveling when parked? I assumed every class A had them. What do you do to level the coach when you park at a campground?

Most modern DPs have air suspension and some higher end rigs use this to keep the coach level instead of jacks.

Rick

doorguy · 06-01-2012, 09:31 AM

Ditto on the BrakeSwitch. I installed it over a year ago and can't imagine driving without it. In a panic situation, you will not have time to reach for the exhaust brake switch; you are usually too busy swearing at the sob who got you into that situation in the first place.