Steep Downhill Grades & Towing With 2003 Southwind Workhorse GAS Engine

[SoonToBeFT]

Sincere thanks to you all for the time writing with your replies. On the Downhill descent braking it appears we seem to be doing the right thing for the most part.

Hubby didn't realize you could get an exhaust brake for a gas engine (mechanical minded we are not!), so that was an eye opener referenced here to us.

Of course we appreciate that the GVCW and towing limits will affect the toad, hubby was just concerned how others with a 36ft gas workhorse engine might have found towing a toad especially up hills etc.

Once again a huge thanks to everyone Your feedback and knowledge is invaluable to us.

STBFT

[Dale & Mark Bruss]

Originally Posted by SoonToBeFT

Sincere thanks to you all for the time writing with your replies. On the Downhill descent braking it appears we seem to be doing the right thing for the most part.

Hubby didn't realize you could get an exhaust brake for a gas engine (mechanical minded we are not!), so that was an eye opener referenced here to us.

Of course we appreciate that the GVCW and towing limits will affect the toad, hubby was just concerned how others with a 36ft gas workhorse engine might have found towing a toad especially up hills etc.

Once again a huge thanks to everyone Your feedback and knowledge is invaluable to us.

STBFT

There are not exhaust brakes for gas engines because the gas engine has its own braking system, shutting the air throttle plate (ex: carburetor) which when shut causes the engine to drag trying to suck air in. A diesel doesn't have an air throttle and free-wheels without fuel. That is why a diesel engine needs an exhaust brake.

Unless locked up, automatic transmissions can negate the braking effort of a gas engine with the throttle closed. On a Ford gas engine, locking the transmission, maybe downshifting a gear can make it seem like it has an exhaust brake. This is know as the Tow-Hold mode.