I just changed from a Cummins to a Duramax. I am now equipping my new truck to tow. Which exhaust brake should I put on. I had a Pac Brake on my Cummins and I have had both the Banks and BD brakes recommended by friends. What are the pros and cons of use and installation on my Dmax?. Thanks from someone who just switched fron TDR.......BOb

You may not need an exhaust brake with the Duramax/Allison. I tow a 14k 5th wheel on 6-8% grades and haven't need an exhaust brake.

I have had a Banks for 2 1/2 years, and it has done a great job for me. I tow all over the West hauling horses, and it gives me real peace of mind on some of the grades I hit. I ran for a year without it, and for my use, the grade braking feature was not adequate. I had a Kennedy 4" exhaust, so I had to get some extra piping as a precaution - only wanted to do the install once. Banks was very helpful, even sending me several gaskets at their expense when I blew one out (my fault). One of the reasons I went Diesel was to have the EB, and I actually waited until Banks had theirs.

Have the Banks and would not tow without it in the hills.

I did a lot of research and then picked the Banks.

I also find that sometimes it is to efficient, and have to give it fuel because I am slowing too much.

Only one problem, the cylinder locked up, but they sent me a new one immediately.

I have also heard that the BD has a rust problem.

Good luck.

I have a US Gear Decelerator that works awsome. I did a lot of research before buying and read a lot of good reviews about it. I will never own another diesel truck without one, especialy with all the mountain towing I do.

Between Banks and BD....There seemed to be less people with problems using the BD Exhaust Brake. I am pleased with our BD!

www.bd-power.com

The more I think about it.....Pulling these heavy trailers on graded hills, I would not go without an EB!

I should also mention that I was surprised on how easy it was to install the entire BD EB.

I bought mine from BD directly. That was before I knew www.kennedydiesel.com has them for the same price. Try to support the board if possible.

I have bought two Banks Brakes on two different truck and they both have worked better than expected. I also live in on the worst places for any truck to operate, Fairbanks, Alaska. I seen it work at 100 above and just as well at 65 below for the last 12000 miles. In that time the only thing that has happened is at 65 below and sitting outside all night the butterfly froze open for the first minute during warm-up.

I guess it's a toss up between BD and Banks. Which one is easier to install?.............Bob

The one feature I did like about the Banks Brake was the throttle module which ties into the electronics of the truck which will keep the butterfly closed until the coolant temp reaches a certain temp (100F??? not sure). The benefit of this is that the butterfly valve is always moving open and closed and less prone to freezing up due to carbon deposits.