Community Forums

MCPO Ret · 01-10-2007, 02:58 PM

And Steve, DriVer's comments are for you - no sense in stopping in a normal manner - slam them babies on and see how fast you can stop.

Goldsburg · 01-10-2007, 04:26 PM

People want to talk about how great the exhaust brake is on a DP and how nice it is descending grades with it. Has anyone stopped to think WHY diesel pushers have and NEED exhaust brakes...? That's because those DP's with air brake systems typically have air drum brakes, which are extraordinarily prone to heat fade and CAN'T be ridden all the way down the side of a mountain.

So before you talk about how bad those "glowing rotors" are at the bottom of the hill, remember this: At least you could stop, get out, and look at those rotors at the bottom of the hill WITHOUT an exhaust brake!

Air brakes have their place and hydraulic brakes have their place. To me, hydraulic brakes are a suitable system for a motor home but have only been engineered to date for <33,000lbs GVW vehicles.

BTW, in a panic stop who has time to flip on the exhaust brake...?

ALSO, does anyone have an appreciation for how violent it is to stop a 26,000lb vehicle traveling 60MPH in 189 feet!!!!

Regards,

Jestme13 · 01-10-2007, 05:53 PM

its the age ole story, the cheapo swearing its as good or better then the expensive one. i believe if hyd brakes were that good, they trucking ind would have had them.

i drove the ufo and it really does have outstanding brakes, but i will never admit it

DriVer · 01-11-2007, 12:19 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jestme13:
i drove the ufo and it really does have outstanding brakes, but i will never admit it </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

mthom12 · 01-30-2007, 03:31 PM

Trucks have air because it's less maintenance, no fluid to change. And because of the trailers. Just imagine how much fluid would be lost every time you hooked up and unhook. Not to mention the cross contamination of "bad fluid".

NeilV · 01-30-2007, 04:17 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by mthom12:
Trucks have air because it's less maintenance, no fluid to change. And because of the trailers. Just imagine how much fluid would be lost every time you hooked up and unhook. Not to mention the cross contamination of "bad fluid". </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You hear a lot of complaints when an autopark system fails and locks up which approximates what happens when air brakes fail, can you imagin all the squawk if all motorhomes had air brakes which would lock up or fail to release all the way when they took their foot off the brake pedal because they used up all their air reserve or experienced a pressure loss.

Each system has their high points however I don't know of any states that require special certificates or training/competency riders for the use of hydraulic brakes only on air systems.

Use what works for you but learn about the limitations and adjust you driving style to match what you have got.

I drive an F53 and have had to make a panic stop at 60MPH when a fire engine pull out accross the road. Yes I was going the posted speed and no I did not hear or see the fire engine until it entered the road 200+ feet ahead of me. It was an extremely violent and close stop and I really would have appreciated having a few more feet reserve between us after we got to a full stop.

SeeTheUSA · 02-17-2007, 06:31 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by mthom12:
Trucks have air because it's less maintenance, no fluid to change. And because of the trailers. Just imagine how much fluid would be lost every time you hooked up and unhook. Not to mention the cross contamination of "bad fluid". </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Pretty much the same reasons trains have air! In fact, trains had it before trucks. Invented by George Westinghouse and patented in 1869. Henry Ford was only six years old!