Community Forums

Pusherpilot · 07-09-2009, 08:15 PM

I was just presented with proof positive that using the Jakes religiously will save your brakes. Today we took the MH, 04 Imperial, ISL 400 with two stage Jake, in to be serviced. The shop (Colton Truck) inspects the brakes and tires etc during the job and when I came back to pick up the coach they informed me that the rear drum shoes were at 75% remaining and the front disc pads were around 60%!! The shop foreman wanted to know when I had the brakes raplaced! They are original with 63k on them. He claims that they usually need to be replaced around 100k. I told him that I make a "game" of not using the service brakes unless I absolutely must to maintain safety or keep downhill speed under control. The jake has a hi/lo switch which makes it easy to use the Jake when they downgrade isn't steep enough to keep from slowing . On the downgrade from Gorman to Grapevine on I5 I can hold 45 all the way down without touching the service brakes.

Flagelpater · 07-10-2009, 08:40 AM

D Don, When I was at the Brakeswitch site they had an installation procedure for coaches that did not have access to the brake light wire. Did you look into this? I am going to order it today.

lostone65 · 07-10-2009, 09:46 AM

i'd like to thank each of you for your response. i feel better about going down a steep grade. thanks again, lostone65

tom49 · 07-10-2009, 01:08 PM

Ok this may be a dumb question but on my 97 Dynasty there is no switch to turn the Pac Brake on, just a pedal on the floor next to the high beam switch. There is no real explanation in the owners manual other than it is for the Pac Brake. How do I use that correctly?
We are going to Yellowstone in 3 weeks so some help on the correct usage would be a great help.This will be our first trip into some serious mountians.

nodine · 07-11-2009, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom49

Ok this may be a dumb question but on my 97 Dynasty there is no switch to turn the Pac Brake on, just a pedal on the floor next to the high beam switch. There is no real explanation in the owners manual other than it is for the Pac Brake. How do I use that correctly?
We are going to Yellowstone in 3 weeks so some help on the correct usage would be a great help.This will be our first trip into some serious mountians.

Tom,

Have you posted this question on the Yahoo site? There are several members on that site with older Dynasties that should be able to help.

Bob

tom49 · 07-12-2009, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodine

Tom,

Have you posted this question on the Yahoo site? There are several members on that site with older Dynasties that should be able to help.

Bob

Bob
I have now
Thanks

jmorgan54 · 07-18-2009, 07:36 PM

Bob ...

Your exhaust brake only causes the brake lights to come on whenever it activates ... Usually when you take your foot off the accelerator. You should use it regularly so that you become familiar with its characteristics and to keep it from freezing up. That freeze up has happened to mine ... And it can do serious damage to youe engine if not corrected. Some have indicated that they do not wish their brakelights to come on when the exhaust brake activates, but I believe that since this is in fact a brake, that this is the correct way to allow it to work.

Jack
'01 Diplomat

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodine

Several have mentioned that they leave the exhaust brake on all the time. I understood that anytime the exhaust brake is on the brake lights are on. Is this true? I would think having the brake lights on all the time would be like not having any brake lights.

Bob

nodine · 07-19-2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmorgan54

Bob ...

Your exhaust brake only causes the brake lights to come on whenever it activates ... Usually when you take your foot off the accelerator. You should use it regularly so that you become familiar with its characteristics and to keep it from freezing up. That freeze up has happened to mine ... And it can do serious damage to youe engine if not corrected. Some have indicated that they do not wish their brakelights to come on when the exhaust brake activates, but I believe that since this is in fact a brake, that this is the correct way to allow it to work.

Jack
'01 Diplomat

Thanks Jack.

We do use our exhaust brake all the time and sometimes leave it on when driving in traffic. I guess my brain was not in gear when I thought the brake lights would be on all the time the brake was enabled. It should have been apparent to me

that the brake lights would only come on when the butterfly valve closed.

Bob

becker · 07-19-2009, 09:13 PM

I have a 08 Dynasty with a hi and lo Jake brake. My brake lights (along with my toad brake lights) do come on anytime I turn on my hi or lo Jake brake switchs.

I do not generally use my Jake brake in traffic but have used them both in close to panic stops. I use my Jake brake instead of my coach brakes anytime I need to slow down...... if I have time.

On some of the other posts..... are they using the terminolgy of exhaust brakes and Jake brakes as one and the same? I understand they operate differently entirely.

Becker

MonacoMama · 07-19-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by becker

....On some of the other posts..... are they using the terminology of exhaust brakes and Jake brakes as one and the same? I understand they operate differently entirely.
Becker

Becker...I believe you are correct in both. I know most Diplomats have "Pac-Brakes" ...but many people use the terminology of "Jake Brakes".
Most Jake Brakes are "compression brakes" (which are built into the motor) - "Pac-Brakes" are exhaust brakes which use the exhaust system to slow the rigs down.
(Jake-Brakes also add several thousand dollars more to the price you will pay for your coach.

)

rvtips · 07-20-2009, 12:12 AM

Don,
Do you still have the switch?
If so do you want to sell it ?
Phillip

Richard and Babs and a Bob Tail Cat · 07-20-2009, 07:38 AM

We have the original brakes and over 104,000 miles on our '97 Patriot and about 50% of the brake pads are left. We use the exhaust brake 99% of the time and 90% plus is flat driving in the SE US. We also use a toad brake. Driving style also is to plan ahead without heavy braking required. To say the exhaust brake a worthwhile investment is an understatement.

Soniccruzer · 07-20-2009, 10:17 AM

Just to add to the confusion my 07 Camelot has an exhaust brake that is made by Jacobs.

becker · 07-20-2009, 09:51 PM

lostone65.....

Today I was re-reading your post of 7-8-09. It sounds like you have not used that exhaust brake since you got your 40 ft MH but you were going to use it on your upcoming trip. Before getting into the "real" mountains or anything resembling a 8% grade, I would sure check to see if that exhaust brake works. I'm sure you probably have but I just had to post this question anyway..... for my own peace of mind.

Becker