Community Forums

greyt-parent · 03-11-2011, 09:33 AM

I am in the process of searching for a new tow vehicle and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the new integration between the transmission and exhaust brakes in Tow/Haul Mode on the Super Duty

Steve R. · 03-12-2011, 06:54 PM

I am disappointed but I often tow heavy on steep grades. Your results may vary.

jimcumminsw · 03-17-2011, 08:40 AM

This is what DieselPower magazine had to say about all three trucks.
2011 Ford vs. Ram vs. GM Diesel Truck Shootout - Diesel Power Magazine

A very good artical to read and review.
Jim W.

Steve R. · 03-17-2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimcumminsw

This is what DieselPower magazine had to say about all three trucks.
2011 Ford vs. Ram vs. GM Diesel Truck Shootout - Diesel Power Magazine

A very good artical to read and review.
Jim W.

Jim - Thanks for posting the link. I concur with their assessment of Ford's brake assist.

The consensus among the koolaid drinkers over at the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forum is that my complaint was a case of operator error

I've given up the battle trying to convince anyone over there but I'm on a mission to share my experience so that prospective owners have good information to help with their decision. Internet forums are great for that.

Steve

Randy the sly old fox · 03-17-2011, 06:59 PM

Take a look at this test Chevy vs. Ford in Heavy-Duty Rumble in the Rockies - PickupTrucks.com News

I am not sure who it being the most honest.

Steve R. · 03-18-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy the sly old fox

Take a look at this test Chevy vs. Ford in Heavy-Duty Rumble in the Rockies - PickupTrucks.com News

I am not sure who it being the most honest.

Thanks, I read that one too. The conclusions about the effectiveness of Ford's brake assist seem very similar between the two comparisons and my own experience.

On many grades when towing I can't hold highway speeds with brake assist alone. I have to slow way down to feel anything at all and at that point, it's probably just normal frictional resistance from being in a very low gear in two mode. My experience towing the same trailer, same grades with an e-braked 2006 Dodge was quite different. I could hold highway speeds on grades with minimal use of service brakes. I am thankful now more than ever for the disc brake upgrade I performed on my fiver.

jimcumminsw · 03-19-2011, 08:20 AM

Steve R.
This is what the Cummins Home page advertises for the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel and braking horsepower. An I quote" The Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel continues to offer the most powerful integrated exhaust brake available in a heavy duty truck. Cummins best-in-class integrated exhaust brake, with a full 225 braking horsepower at the wheel, gives Ram Heavy Duty pickup customers more confidence while towing the heaviest loads down the most severe grades. "
I have towed my 5er in the Black Hills in SD and the Appalachian Mountains and hardly have use my wheel brakes to hold the truck and trailer at speed. I feel very comfortable with the Cummins engine. Another feature that I like about the Cummins is you do not need to use Tow/haul mode to activate the Exhaust Brake. I use mine all of the time when driving the truck, in fact Cummins encourages you to activate the brake to help keep the VGT clean.
Jim W.