Seeking 2015 Super Duty Exhaust Brake Feedback

[burnsdl]

Hi All -

For those of you driving 2015 diesel Super Duty (F250 or F350) ... what is your feedback on the integrated exhaust feature? While I know that both gas and diesel have offered engine braking for years via tow/haul mode, I'm keen to hear feedback specific to the newly introduced exhaust brake function.

I full-time in a 2012 27FB and am finding myself spending more and more time in the western mountains. The engine breaking in my 2012 ecoboost F-150 is ok, but not great on the long and steep descents common to this part of the country ... especially off the (generally) more grade forgiving interstates. I want to minimize heavy braking needs and in the process, my stress levels.

While there are some great 2014 F-250 deals to be had, buying new is always nice and I quite like seamless exhaust integration on the 2105. Of course, another option would be to buy a 2014 (or used) and add 3rd party exhaust brake functionality.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks, _dave

[dbj216]

I just read an article in Diesel Power on the '15 Super Duties. The second generation engine uses a larger turbo for even more power. The exhaust brake is now a driver controlled function by pushing the button (kinda like the fog lights).

The article reports the exhaust brake worked great down 6% grades with a heavy trailer in tow. My '13 Super Duty "automatic" exhaust brake in tow / haul mode also works pretty darn good too. It will hold my set speed (say 60) within 5 mph without me using the brakes at all. Engine RPM is about 3200 in 4th with no input on the "gas" pedal. I don't worry about long down hill runs in the Colorado mountains with the Super Duty. Quite a difference from my E-350 van gas engine with the same trailer. We pull a 34 footer weighing about 8000 lbs loaded.

There are a lot of advantages of a heavy pick up with a diesel engine. Cost ain't one of them.

David

[slowmover]

Dodge has had exhaust brakes as dealer-added since mid-90's. Lots of experience gives the Dodge Body Builder Guide for over ten years now as a strong recomendation (requirement) on trailers over 10k weight.

I used to drive 1T trucks for a living with a 20k trailer in tow. It's a great thing to have at that weight . . but even a 77k tractor trailer can beau rain driven without one. It just isn't much fun I can say

Do you need one? No. Is it worth the price differential for
The diesel? No. Not unless you are towing above, say, 16k nowadays.

Trailer disc brakes would be a far better use of money.




Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[sheriff1]

We just did 3k miles including Donner Summit and several 7% grades in Oregon with our 2015 F350 towing 11k TT. WOW! I LOVED the exhaust brake. I loved the whole truck! Go for the 15, it's worth it!


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[akjam]

We bought a 2014 F250 Super Duty in March and the first time I hooked it up to our 27FB was when we picked it up in Seattle in June to bring it back to Houston. I had limited towing experience with this AS (or any trailer this size) so I was pretty nervous about the mountains out west. My first experience was, of course, the first day and by the end of it, I was sold on the exhaust brake feature. Instead of sweaty palms and foot cramps from tapping the brake on long downhills, I was extremely comfortable in letting the F250 do the work of moderating the downhill speed.

If the 2015 version has added versatility, even better, I am sold on the exhaust brake feature and I really like the extra power of the diesel. I may not need it but it is nice to know it is there if I do.
Jim

[AnnArborBob]

We have a 2015 F-250 diesel with the exhaust brake and have about 7,000 miles of towing with it so far. I found the exhaust brake to be indispensable going down any hill. It will hold nearly any speed down an 8% grade with no braking while towing our 27 foot AS. I was frankly unaware of the exhaust brake when I bought this truck but now that I've used it, I would never want to be without it.

I am not familiar with exhaust brakes in gas model trucks so I cannot comment on the difference.

To me, the exhaust brake alone was worth the $8,000 premium for the diesel engine. The massive torque and better mileage are just a bonus!

[tjdonahoe]

07 dodge with 6.7 come-along has the exhaust brake and I love it, especially in the Rocky Mountains....

[mefly2]

After you have used the exhaust brake (and not had to clean the tons of brake dust from your wheels every trip), I doubt that you'd want to go back to without it ...