Banks Exhaust Brake for Duramax

[Haulin' 8.1]

Gentlemen, one of my imediate family members is considering this exhaust brake kit for their truck, a '03 DM/Allison. http://www.bankspower.com/System.cfm?appid=AC08&sysid=SC14

 

They will be using the truck to pull thier lived in travel trailer (about 28 feet) from Texas to California in about a month. Their concern is the mountainous areas where they are heading.

 

1. Would this prove to be worth the expence or is the truck capable of handling the trailer down hill on its own? They want to avoid any drama, just a comfortable trip.

 

2. How difficult is the installation? I'm a professional mechanic, about how long would it take to install it?

 

Thanks for any help,

Vernon

[lccent]

I have a 02 2500 hd and I first had a pacbrake on mine died after about a year all carboned up and froze up So i decided to spend the money on the banks huge improvement I tow a 33 ft. fifth wheel weighing about 14000 lbs and down hill the banks brake saves your brakes Its been a long time since I installed it but I remember the hardest parts where dropping the exhaust and cutting and finding a place to push the wiring harness throught the fire wall other wise it was a pretty straight forward install. Will not allow you to engage cruise control while engaged and the compressor mounts under the air box so you cant hear it run and it shuts off at 15 mph. Bigger opening on brake at exhaust connection so no air flow restriction. I wouldnt tow with out it. Hope this helps

[Haulin' 8.1]

Thank you Lawrence that was just what I was needing to know. Could I ask you if your truck is auto or standard transmission?

 

Vernon

[lccent]

Thank you Lawrence that was just what I was needing to know.  Could I ask you if your truck is auto or standard transmission?

 

Vernon

 

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Mine is a automatic and it works well at higher rpms standard would work well too the higher the rpms the greater the breaking power but I think the brake is limited to 3000 rpm havent had a problem with the allison because it downshifts based on speed I dont know what would happen with a manual? If you downshift manually and exceed that 3000 rpm threshold I do not know if it would disengage or not.