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Thread: Question about Grade Braking/Exhaust Brake Interaction

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
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    Geneva, IL
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    Default Question about Grade Braking/Exhaust Brake Interaction

    Hi,

    No action in the Towing section, so I'll try here...

    So I broke weak and bought a leftover 2019 Dmax crew cab to tow with. There is lots to learn about a truck that has ten years of upgrades and new features over my old 2009.

    But in particular, would anyone towing with a similar rig give me a tutorial on how these two new-to-me features interact in actual use.

    Thanks in advance.
    Rich Phillips
    Member #27
    2019 K-2500 Crew Cab Z71
    Cedar Creek Silverback 33RL Fifth Wheel
    In The Past: '82 6.2 Jimmy Blazer, '93 6.5 GMC K-2500, '01 DMAX K-2500, '09 DMAX K-2500

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
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    Teton Valley, Idaho
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    1,873

    Default

    I know I'm being Captain Obvious, but have you read the owner's manual? If yours somehow didn't come with one, it can be found here:
    https://my.chevrolet.com/how-to-support

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    Geneva, IL
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    364

    Default

    Hi rapidguy,

    Yup, I did. But I was hoping to get some "actual use" input, hopefully from someone towing a 12k+ trailer -- even better if it involved some really long grades, like in the Rockies.

    Rich
    Rich Phillips
    Member #27
    2019 K-2500 Crew Cab Z71
    Cedar Creek Silverback 33RL Fifth Wheel
    In The Past: '82 6.2 Jimmy Blazer, '93 6.5 GMC K-2500, '01 DMAX K-2500, '09 DMAX K-2500

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    Geneva, IL
    Posts
    364

    Default

    Hi,

    Wow, all these hugely capable towing machines (L5Ps in particular) out there and nobody has any experience to report on actual tow/haul, grade braking, and exhaust brake functioning while travelling with big trailers?
    Rich Phillips
    Member #27
    2019 K-2500 Crew Cab Z71
    Cedar Creek Silverback 33RL Fifth Wheel
    In The Past: '82 6.2 Jimmy Blazer, '93 6.5 GMC K-2500, '01 DMAX K-2500, '09 DMAX K-2500

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    13,573

    Arrow

    What is it you want to know? A "tutorial", I think, isn't really relevant, as there are too many variables involved, unique to each owner and condition. I don't have one, and only know of a few. From what I gathered, it isn't really anything worth much discussion, and comments are essentially, "it really works". The systems are simple. They don't necessarily "interact", but compliment each other. The features are independent, and the only "interaction" is the PCM control that prevents them from conflicting. Grade braking is transmission control, much like it has been since the 2001 M/Y, and the exhaust brake is only a means of increasing resistance during compression braking. It's only that simple, and it works as advertised. Anecdotally, as related to me, 24K is easily held @ 35-40 MPH for several miles of a 6+% grade (N/B I-5 Grapevine) with occasional, minimal service braking. Basically, unremarkable.
    1985 Blazer 6.2
    2001 GMC 2500HD D/A
    dmaxmaverick@thedieselpage.com

  6. #6
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    Mar 2000
    Location
    Geneva, IL
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    Default

    Hi Dmax,

    Yeah, tutorial was probably the wrong word, but your explanation helps. If I get it right, I just turn on all three and let it rip. That is no way clear from the GM material.

    But I suppose I still was hoping to hear from someone who is actually using their truck in heavy towing situations, for a description of performance.
    Rich Phillips
    Member #27
    2019 K-2500 Crew Cab Z71
    Cedar Creek Silverback 33RL Fifth Wheel
    In The Past: '82 6.2 Jimmy Blazer, '93 6.5 GMC K-2500, '01 DMAX K-2500, '09 DMAX K-2500

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    West Chicago, Illinois
    Posts
    209

    Default

    When you are interested in something I find the first thing to try is a Google search. If you do a Google search on "Exhaust Brake Interaction" I think you will find everything that you need.
    1995 Chev 4X4 1500 Suburban 6.5 TD,Phazer Gear Kit from JK, High Capacity Water Pump Kit from JK. Special Calibration fan clutch W/8 blade fan from JK
    1995 Chev 4X4 2500 Suburban 6.5 TD>>SOL-D (parts car)
    1999 Chev 4X4 2500 Suburban 454 "Gas Hog" with Hiniker C-Plow

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    Geneva, IL
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    Default

    Hi Phil,

    Did that early on, and again just now. Those results address either generic exhaust brake operation or installation.

    Ironically, since my first search a while back, an additional item has appeared -- a link to this thread on the Diesel Page Forum.
    Rich Phillips
    Member #27
    2019 K-2500 Crew Cab Z71
    Cedar Creek Silverback 33RL Fifth Wheel
    In The Past: '82 6.2 Jimmy Blazer, '93 6.5 GMC K-2500, '01 DMAX K-2500, '09 DMAX K-2500

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    Loyal WI US
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    10,792

    Default

    The grade braking is not much different from the older trucks. The exhaust brake just makes it MUCH more effective.


    If you are towing enable the exhaust brake and let it do it's thing. If the truck is still gaining speed on a descent cover the brakes so the truck sees you wanting to slow and it will drop another gear increasing the retarding force.
    Kennedy Diesel-owner
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