thecaptain
Belleville,Mi.48111 USA
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Joined: 05/12/2004
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I have a F250 with a Banks set up and like it a lot . It worked a great on our trip to Alaska . Check my profile .
Ken/Ellen(RET)
2000 F250 Superduty
7.3psd/Banksbrake/Smartlock/Trans command/3.73gear/Edge EZ module
2002/29ft-Terry 5er:
Take life one day at a time.
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HoJoPo
Central California
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Joined: 05/21/2007
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mowermech wrote:I like the Jacobs Rambrake that is on my '94 Dodge. I have no experience with any other brand.
My son recently had Banks Engineering install an EB on his '96 Dodge. Perhaps he will chime in here with a critique of the Banks system.
The exhaust brake helps. But my Serro Scotty is a bit heavier than a regular 96 Dodge. Banks offers two brakes for the 96, a medium duty and a heavy duty model. The heavy duty one requires they replace the valve springs with heavier duty springs. I went with the medium one, it works good on 6% grades when towing my Jeep / trailer, but on steeper grades I still have to use the brakes (just not as much) to keep speeds reasonable.
Their control system works fine, no problems so far.
Only thing to dislike about the Banks brake is the cost. Oh, and the fact it automatically disengages under 15 MPH. I don't find it a problem, but others might.
1996 Serro Scotty Hilander 2500 GT, 5.9 Cummins w/5 speed manual trans, Banks Powerpack
2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with AiROCK air suspension and 35 inch tires
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 Hemi
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The HitchHikers
Gold Bar, WA
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Joined: 09/04/2003
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I have the PacBrake PXRB. I selected this brake as it is supposed to have higher breaking capacity at lower RPMs and speeds than the competitors. I also liked the fact that it uses an air compressor rather than vacum to activate it. Having the air compressor is very handy as it is under the hood and I have used it twice to air up flat tires on coworkers vehicles.
I live at the base (192 ft elevation) of a steep mountain pass (4,050 ft elevation and about 30 miles from my house) that I have gone up and down several times. At the end of the worst of the grade there is a right hand curve of greater than 90 degrees with a recommended speed of 40 mph. Without the EB I would have to get on the service brakes quite hard 4-6 times on the steepest parts to get my truck and 5er down to a speed I was comfortable with and my truck has a manual tranny and to prevent over speeding the engine or going too fast.
On my last trip I used the service brakes 2 times, using moderate braking pressure. I have only had the EB for about a year and have less than 4,000 miles towing with it. I towed over 8,000 miles without the EB. I would definitely spend the money again to put an EB on the truck as it makes it so much more comfortable going down the grades.
Steve and Gayle
2004.5 Dodge 3500 4X4, SRW, QC, SLT, LB, NV-5600, 3.73 AS, 325/600 Cummins
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jimwooster
Wooster, Ohio
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Joined: 08/30/2006
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goin2themountains wrote:I see in your profile you have a Ford. Can't speak for that, but we camp alot in the San Juans in Colorado, and I have never had to ride a brake with the Allison tranny behind the duramax. Tow/haul mode with grade braking, to me, eliminates any reason for the expense, and the "do I want to put that much backpressure on my engine", of an exhaust brake. YMMV
Agree with goin. Put 14,000 on our Jayco Designer since last June including a 7,000 mile trip west through the Rockies and Canadian Rockies towing with a 2005 F-250 PSD with Tow Command (similar to the Alison) and it hold the unit back fine. Been over the Rockies and Smokies and never felt the need. IMO
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