Question for the WV guys

detcord · 10-18-2009, 11:30 AM

I live and work mainly in North Central WV, near Elkins. I recently got a 2009 Dodge Mega Cab with the cummins as a work truck. I love driving this beast, but Unfortunately I can't mod it in any way. I've read in this forum about always using the Engine Brake, and wonder what you all think about that. I also use the Tow/Haul in local driving as I go up and down Mountains a lot. Will this hurt the tranny any? thanks for any advice.

***Ern2124*** · 10-18-2009, 05:09 PM

I can't really see where it would hurt it. But that's my .2 and I am far from a professional.

__________________
01,2500,shortbed,4x4,6spd,SBC dual disk, PS 62/12 over s400, 220 sticks Edge juice with attitude,

Elim · 10-18-2009, 07:15 PM

Only negative is just be very careful using it in on slick roads. In Tow/Haul, or downshifting on the stick it will break the rears loose. That would be real back going down a hill, or around a turn in the snow/ice.

I run with mine on all the time, and it seems to be working as designed. No problems.

__________________
07.5 2500 QCSB with some stuff, and things

**Chris Mallett** · 10-18-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detcord

I live and work mainly in North Central WV, near Elkins. I recently got a 2009 Dodge Mega Cab with the cummins as a work truck. I love driving this beast, but Unfortunately I can't mod it in any way. I've read in this forum about always using the Engine Brake, and wonder what you all think about that. I also use the Tow/Haul in local driving as I go up and down Mountains a lot. Will this hurt the tranny any? thanks for any advice.

Due to warranty? Or a lease? Not bashing the truck, but if you are planning on keeping this truck past 200k miles, and not towing with it constantly, the soot buildup is phenomenal on these engines. Deletes will keep the engine cleaner and last a lot longer. As for the EB, I would say run it all the time, I have a few friends that leave theirs on and no problems...Chris

Oh BTW

__________________
2005 QC LB Dually, 4x4, TST R49AP, AD150, a little VB upgrade, S&B CAI, F1 Helix 2 Cam, Sportsman springs, Silverline 4" Duals

Check out the West Virginia Cummins Crew

**THEBIGJOB** · 10-19-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Mallett

Due to warranty? Or a lease? Not bashing the truck, but if you are planning on keeping this truck past 200k miles, and not towing with it constantly, the soot buildup is phenomenal on these engines. Deletes will keep the engine cleaner and last a lot longer. As for the EB, I would say run it all the time, I have a few friends that leave theirs on and no problems...Chris

Oh BTW

Sounds to me like it's a company truck

Heck give me one as a company truck and I will be just fine with it stock

__________________
07 2500 QCSB
Some Air, Some Fuel, Some Purdy Stuff, Some Hidden Stuff, and a Smarty Do Dad That They Say is TNT

detcord · 10-19-2009, 08:41 PM

Sorry about that. It is a company truck, so I can;t do much to it. I know the tow/haul wouldn't be good on slick roads. It just seems to shift more, an I was worried about wear and tear on the tranny.

**Chris Mallett** · 10-19-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detcord

Sorry about that. It is a company truck, so I can;t do much to it. I know the tow/haul wouldn't be good on slick roads. It just seems to shift more, an I was worried about wear and tear on the tranny.

Kinda sounds like an Austin Powder rig that I saw today...Sterling 45 or 5500. With a name like detcord, you are into explosives? Just a hunch, let me know how close I am.

As for wear and tear on the trans, I would leave it on and let it work. There are too many safeguards in stock form, it should protect itself from harm.

__________________
2005 QC LB Dually, 4x4, TST R49AP, AD150, a little VB upgrade, S&B CAI, F1 Helix 2 Cam, Sportsman springs, Silverline 4" Duals

Check out the West Virginia Cummins Crew

detcord · 10-22-2009, 06:52 PM

Chris, fairly close. I work for the state, and use Austin products on a very regular basis. I have a straight 2009 Ram Mega Cab, with the 6 speed auto. We run these trucks fairly loaded, but checking with the other guys, we are getting around 12.5 MPG. Does this sound about right, and would an EGR unplug help any? Thanks again for you help.

**Chris Mallett** · 10-22-2009, 07:44 PM

Many say the EGR unplug will net you 1 mpg. You just have to put up with the Check engine light on.

__________________
2005 QC LB Dually, 4x4, TST R49AP, AD150, a little VB upgrade, S&B CAI, F1 Helix 2 Cam, Sportsman springs, Silverline 4" Duals

Check out the West Virginia Cummins Crew

powerbrake · 10-28-2009, 11:11 PM

not sure how these new trannys work. some older vehicles would unlock the converter in tow haul to allow the engine to rev up into a workable rpm. if this is the case then i would not use it but would downshift manually. slipping will create a bunch of heat. a friend used the tow button regularly on his 06 hemi truck and the tranny died early in life. the machanic told him that most drivers these days didn't know how to downshift as they never drove standards before. autos shift too much unless you allow converter slippage. so drivers don't about constant shifting they put a button in there so the converter can slip and everyones happy but the tranny. if i was driving 33 and 28 much and on those many sideroads i would downshift. i don't know what changes have been made or even what gear selection you can make i newer trucks. can i ramble or what?

__________________
92 4x4, fuel screw turned in all the way, starwheel dropped to the bottom, 40 hp injectors, machined pin, detroit locker lets me smoke 'em evenly. auto meter pyro.

God Bless Our Country and Damn The Goverment

***xcountryguy04x*** · 10-28-2009, 11:17 PM

It is actually good to run the eb all the time. It keeps the soot and carbon build up off the moving parts in the turbo. Mechanic at the dodge dealer told me that.

__________________
09 2500 HD, quad cab, short box, bighorn, 6spd std, smarty, 5'' TBE, S&B CAI, EGR/Cooler deleted, Valair DD 3800 ceramic, Arp 625, Isspro EVA gauges w/ 3 gauge pillar pod, steering column pod.....(Courtesy of James @ RSD) Bluetec diesel emblem fell off, custom homemade front bumper that makes deer shake in their hooves....... Whiplash 66/74/14 and an AFE stainless manifild on the way. Next-Airdog 150, after that twin cp3's, after that injectors and probably a free spin kit from dynatrac somewhere along the way.........

10-18-2009, 11:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
detcord Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts detcord's Truck Pics	Question for the WV guys I live and work mainly in North Central WV, near Elkins. I recently got a 2009 Dodge Mega Cab with the cummins as a work truck. I love driving this beast, but Unfortunately I can't mod it in any way. I've read in this forum about always using the Engine Brake, and wonder what you all think about that. I also use the Tow/Haul in local driving as I go up and down Mountains a lot. Will this hurt the tranny any? thanks for any advice.

10-19-2009, 08:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
detcord Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts detcord's Truck Pics	sorry i wasn't clearer Sorry about that. It is a company truck, so I can;t do much to it. I know the tow/haul wouldn't be good on slick roads. It just seems to shift more, an I was worried about wear and tear on the tranny.

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10-18-2009, 05:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Ern2124* Diesel Freak Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burton, WV Posts: 681 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Ern2124's Truck Pics	I can't really see where it would hurt it. But that's my .2 and I am far from a professional. __________________ 01,2500,shortbed,4x4,6spd,SBC dual disk, PS 62/12 over s400, 220 sticks Edge juice with attitude,

10-18-2009, 07:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Elim Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fraziers Bottom, WV Posts: 173 Thanks: 38 Thanked 32 Times in 18 Posts Elim's Truck Pics	Only negative is just be very careful using it in on slick roads. In Tow/Haul, or downshifting on the stick it will break the rears loose. That would be real back going down a hill, or around a turn in the snow/ice. I run with mine on all the time, and it seems to be working as designed. No problems. __________________ 07.5 2500 QCSB with some stuff, and things

10-22-2009, 06:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
detcord Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts detcord's Truck Pics	Chris, fairly close. I work for the state, and use Austin products on a very regular basis. I have a straight 2009 Ram Mega Cab, with the 6 speed auto. We run these trucks fairly loaded, but checking with the other guys, we are getting around 12.5 MPG. Does this sound about right, and would an EGR unplug help any? Thanks again for you help.

10-22-2009, 07:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
Chris Mallett West Virginia Chapter President. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Craigsville, WV Posts: 3,173 Thanks: 40 Thanked 31 Times in 29 Posts Chris Mallett's Truck Pics	Many say the EGR unplug will net you 1 mpg. You just have to put up with the Check engine light on. __________________ 2005 QC LB Dually, 4x4, TST R49AP, AD150, a little VB upgrade, S&B CAI, F1 Helix 2 Cam, Sportsman springs, Silverline 4" Duals Check out the West Virginia Cummins Crew

10-28-2009, 11:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
powerbrake Diesel Freak Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: charleston west by god Posts: 502 Thanks: 58 Thanked 50 Times in 36 Posts powerbrake's Truck Pics	not sure how these new trannys work. some older vehicles would unlock the converter in tow haul to allow the engine to rev up into a workable rpm. if this is the case then i would not use it but would downshift manually. slipping will create a bunch of heat. a friend used the tow button regularly on his 06 hemi truck and the tranny died early in life. the machanic told him that most drivers these days didn't know how to downshift as they never drove standards before. autos shift too much unless you allow converter slippage. so drivers don't about constant shifting they put a button in there so the converter can slip and everyones happy but the tranny. if i was driving 33 and 28 much and on those many sideroads i would downshift. i don't know what changes have been made or even what gear selection you can make i newer trucks. can i ramble or what? __________________ 92 4x4, fuel screw turned in all the way, starwheel dropped to the bottom, 40 hp injectors, machined pin, detroit locker lets me smoke 'em evenly. auto meter pyro. God Bless Our Country and Damn The Goverment

10-28-2009, 11:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
*xcountryguy04x* Boilermakers Local 667 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: West Virginia Posts: 142 Thanks: 9 Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts xcountryguy04x's Truck Pics	It is actually good to run the eb all the time. It keeps the soot and carbon build up off the moving parts in the turbo. Mechanic at the dodge dealer told me that. __________________ 09 2500 HD, quad cab, short box, bighorn, 6spd std, smarty, 5'' TBE, S&B CAI, EGR/Cooler deleted, Valair DD 3800 ceramic, Arp 625, Isspro EVA gauges w/ 3 gauge pillar pod, steering column pod.....(Courtesy of James @ RSD) Bluetec diesel emblem fell off, custom homemade front bumper that makes deer shake in their hooves....... Whiplash 66/74/14 and an AFE stainless manifild on the way. Next-Airdog 150, after that twin cp3's, after that injectors and probably a free spin kit from dynatrac somewhere along the way.........