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Thread: Question about Grade Braking/Exhaust Brake Interaction

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    Geneva, IL
    Posts
    364

    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
    Location
    Teton Valley, Idaho
    Posts
    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
    Posts
    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
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    Geneva, IL
    Posts
    364

    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

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