Heavy-duty chassis and turbodiesel engines in today’s pickups have made it possible for RVers to tow larger, more luxurious trailers. But once you have a truck, you might find a few perceived shortcomings compared to your driving expectations — shortcomings that fortunately the performance aftermarket addresses.
Since 1961, Pacbrake has been providing towing and hauling products for the commercial trucking industry, and years ago entered the RV market. More recently, Pacbrake has also expanded its product offerings to air-management technologies, exhaust systems and suspension upgrades.
PRXB Exhaust Brake
If you have a diesel, you’re aware of the lack of downhill engine braking, although transmission holdback features have been available in pickups for several years. Pacbrake’s patented PRXB (pressure regulated exhaust brake) helps eliminate that “runaway freight train” feeling when descending long, steep grades while towing large trailers. The PRXB delivers optimum retarding performance by maximizing the exhaust backpressure throughout the entire rpm range. Unlike a typical exhaust brake, which requires high rpm to work properly, the PRXB delivers constant exhaust pressure (braking) as early as 1,200 rpm through the maximum allowable rpm. Kits are available for a variety of Dodge Ram, Ford and GM diesels.
Air Suspension
Truck suspensions are by necessity a compromise between ride comfort and carrying capacity. When you haul heavy loads such as a camper, or tow a trailer with a considerable hitch weight, the rear springs can be pushed to their limit, resulting in excessive bouncing, sagging ride height, swaying and a feeling of instability. With a Pacbrake air suspension kit, you can inflate the air springs when needed to support the load, resulting in a level stance, comfortable ride and confident handling. Yet when unloaded you can soften the ride. The air springs in Pacbrake air suspension systems are made from double convoluted two-ply rubber, and are the only air springs on the market with 1-inch aluminum end caps and 18 support wires for maximum strength and durability.
Inflation is easy, too. With the standard manual fill kit, you add air manually with the fill valves usually located near the rear license plate. Or choose an onboard air compressor system that will allow pressure monitoring and adjustments from the driver’s seat. Kits are available for most domestic and some imported trucks.
LoadLeash Engine Brake
Pacbrake’s integrated P-67 LoadLeash engine brake is a heavy-duty brake-assist device for the ISB 6.7-liter Cummins engine in Ram diesel pickups and cab-chassis trucks. Pacbrake’s LoadLeash works in conjunction with the factory-installed exhaust brake on Cummins-powered 2007-2012 Dodge trucks, and is said to double the supplemental braking power for unmatched load control. It reduces brake fade and reduces brake wear for up to three times longer brake service intervals.
The LoadLeash for Cummins 6.7-liter engines is a “weeper or bleeder” design engine brake, working in tandem with the VGT exhaust braking feature. It functions by the exhaust valves being held slightly off their seats during the complete engine cycle, with the Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) providing backpressure and increased boost pressure. This results in 50 percent more retarding horsepower than the VGT alone, as measured at the flywheel.
The integrated engine brake adds little weight and does not increase valve-cover height. Unlike traditional engine brakes, which require expensive mufflers to dampen high noise levels, the LoadLeash is also quiet. This is an excellent system for hauling heavy trailers, especially in mountainous regions.
Max Flow Dodge Elbow
Another useful item from Pacbrake is its Max Flow Dodge Elbow, which is designed specifically for 1994-2002 Dodge Ram trucks equipped with large 4-inch exhaust systems. This cast-iron replacement elbow increases exhaust flow, horsepower and torque, while reducing turbo lag and exhaust gas temperature (EGT). It’s pre-tapped for a pyrometer to measure EGT, and the port can also be used to measure exhaust system backpressure.
Pacbrake | 800-663-0096 | www.pacbrake.com
