Duramax engine braking

[Rob & Cathy]

I see there's an article for those with the Duramax (LLY) in the June issue of Trailer Life Magazine on an electronic device from Banks Engineering to improve engine braking. It might be of some interest to some of you.

Rob

[Mike Clay]

Wish they would come up with something better for the LMM engines

[Rob & Cathy]

It looks like Banks also has it for the LMM: http://bankspower.com/products/show/315/1

Rob

[Mike Clay]

No thanks no banks past life bad ju ju nope nota nil

[campswithcritters]

I had a Pac-Brake on my 05 Dodge, worked well and was a fairly easy install.

[Mike Clay]

Yep I had a Jacob brake on my Dodge but those were the days when I was still rowing

[Traveler II]

On other RV’s I’ve used Banks products and have been impressed with both the product and customer support.

I have a Duramax and the Allison transmission does a great job of holding our speed and would not see a need to add engine braking at this point. On the other hand we are pulling the smallest rig in the Cardinal line, so maybe something bigger could use the help.

[Future Fulltimers]

I see there's an article for those with the Duramax (LLY) in the June issue of Trailer Life Magazine on an electronic device from Banks Engineering to improve engine braking. It might be of some interest to some of you.

Rob

Thanks for the information, Rob. I haven’t had any problems so far maintaining a safe speed on downgrades (so far). The factory engine braking seems to do a good job. I’ve only had to use the manual shift once, the same thing the Banks systems does (according to the web site). The web site also offers a test where they crest a hilltop at 55mph, something I wouldn't do if I knew there was a steep downgrade on the other side.

[Jash]

For those of you with the Duramax, our trip a couple of weeks ago I was in tow haul mode and me started down a steep mountain. The truck kept down shifting as it was supposed to in order to maintain my speed but the RPM's were getting up their pretty high. With no red line of the tack , when do you assist the engine with braking, or how high should we let the RPM go before we apply some wheel brake?


Another question for the Duramax owners, My truck is an 08 and normally runs about 30 to 40 psi of oil pressure. What are you seeing. It seems low to me.

[Mike Clay]

John the oil pressure is normal for the LMM as far as the grade brake goes it will wind up to 4500 rpms before it starts shifting back up. Maybe im use to driving cummins to many years but i do not like that high of a rpm. I dont like to let mine get much over 3500 then i apply the brakes to bring it back down

Traveler
I did not say Banks makes bad products its one of those to each their own things with me

[Future Fulltimers]

At 4k rpm the engine seems to be screaming, so I will not let it get above that (no technical stance there). 30-40 psi seems about right for mine but I run synthetic oil although I’m not sure that makes a difference.

[Mike Clay]

Me either we have a lot of 6 and 7% grades out here and I choose to put it in manual and control it myself before cresting the hill, i do not like that unexpected 2nd down shift

[Rob & Cathy]

I’ve only had to use the manual shift once, the same thing the Banks systems does (according to the web site).

Hi Wayne, according the article in T.L. the unique thing the Banks systems does is use the variable vanes in the turbo to assist in engine braking.

Rob