Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Retarder Operation (Read 1402 times) previous topic - next topic

Retarder Operation

As a new FT owner and 1st time RVer is it ok to move the retarder joy stick while driving? Say, if you need to make a panic stop can the joy stick be pulled all the way back while hitting the brakes hard? Also, does the retarder need to be off while using cruise control? I thought I would ask before trying it.

Old Hippie
2002 3610 U320
Rick & Deborah Webster
2002 3610 U320 #5964
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU- 'Copperhead'
Richland Chambers Lake, East Texas

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #1 –
Retarder should always be on EXCEPT when in very rainy or slippery conditions. (In wet/slippery conditions, the use of heavy braking in conjunction with retarder can cause the rear tires to slide - if that happens the heavy end (with the motor and transmission will try to go first down the road, not a fun sequence)

Retarder comes on automatically when you step on brake, - i think it has 6 levels, and as you push harder on brake, the retarder level increases

Retarder can also be used independently of the brake using the joystick, or you can add more retard with light braking if you like that combination (useful in mountains, keep an eye on transmission temps)

Retarder switch should be in the on position and cruise can be used. Retarder joystick should be in the "off" position (o setting, or full forward) when using the cruise.

Retarder can by itself stop the coach (was a salesman's demo to me)

Each day before you move coach, especially if it has been sitting, push down HARD on brake pedal, to exercise brakes, retarder so effective breaks sometimes get sticky from lack of use

Others may disagree or have more tips.

Have fun!

Like most things foretravel (including aqua hot) once you get used to a retarder, you don't want to go back.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #2 –
I never drive with the retarder on and never use it on slippery roads. I feel that the brakes work great ,are anti lock ,and by not using the retarder all the time the slack adjusters on the brakes and the brakes them self's are exercised with normal driving. On a down hill I use the joystick to control the retarders and try not to use the brakes to keep them from over heating.You will love to drive a down using the joystick. Even the brake lights work when using the joystick. Watch the transmission temp .Watch the brake lights of the RV's in front of you and you know what a hard time there having. I do exercise the brakes before using the coach for the day. But not with the parking brake on as that can over load the rear brakes,and with only normal pressure on the brake peddle.As said before there are different ways to drive with and use the retarder system .Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #3 –
Change that first line from "never on" to  "not engaged" . I do drive with the master switch for the retarder on but with the joystick off.Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #4 –
I run with the Retarder "ON" for braking only when in busy traffic or on a busy freeway.

I find the Retarder brakes too hard for non-busy driving because I coast up to red lights and use light braking for a long distance.

When I bought my coach, three years ago tomorrow, the brake rotors were glazed and the pads were 80% - 90%. Inspector told me to do some hard braking to remove the glaze and increase the effectiveness of the brakes. I believe the glazing and almost no wear on the brake pads at 90,000 miles was from over use of the Retarder.

I do find using the joystick Retarder very usefull when descending hills.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #5 –
I only switch the retarder off when driving in slippery conditions.

I push the joystick all the way forward for most freeway driving and half way back in city or stop and conditions.

Any time I need braking, I first reach for the joystick. Even in a panic stop, I feel this gets the retarder working a little sooner than after being triggered by the foot brake pedal.

I always use the service brakes to finally stop, and give the pedal a few hard pushes before starting in the morning.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #6 –
What Tom said....  actually, his description is exactly how we operate our retarder as well.
The selected media item is not currently available.Pat Hatfield
2000 U295 3600 #5666 WTFE (sold 1/7/20)
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
previously: 2003 U295 3610 #6228 (sold 5/29/14)
previously:  2009 Honda CRV (sold 6/9/14)

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #7 –
We usually operate with "Retard" switch "on" and joystick in fully forward position. We use the joystick for special situations where we want some braking any time we are not pressing the accelerator. The special situations usually involve driving in mountains or areas with steep hills.

Check your coach to see if the retarder activates the brake lights when engaged with the joystick. It does not on our coach.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #8 –
Quote
MOT installed the joystick on our 1997 U295 after we bought it in 2010.

Would someone please explain what is an installation of the joystick after manufacture?    My understanding is that the joystick is a simple multi-position switch that controls an extra function built as a factory feature on the transmission.  I didn't think that adding the retarder capability to an already installed transmission was feasible.  Is that right?
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #9 –
Larry,
You are correct.

Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB
 

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #10 –
Larry and Elliot, Several here have installed a Joystick after buying a coach with a retarder that did not have it.  I have a 95 with the 3050R and mine is switch operated only, If I wanted to and wanted to spend a few hundred I could add a joystick.  I have not seen the need for it and am quite happy with the operation of the retarder as it is.
Gary B

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #11 –
Early retarder installs used pressure switches only on the brake system to apply a 30\60\90% retarder depending on brake application. On some year U270s the retarder joystick was optional. The joystick allows retarder operation with finer control than the pressure switches and independent of brake application.

It does not replace the pressure switch system. It supplements it.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #12 –
And on downgrades the precise control of retarding you get from the joystick is priceless.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #13 –
Quote from: red tractor –
When Foretravel realized the need to have the brake lights energized with the joy stick is when they started installing the relay for the brake lights and if your coach does not have that then when the joy stick was added the relay should also have been added. I would think that Mark Harvey has that wiring diagram and it is possible that foretravel has the kit that is needed to fix the problem

Makes me wonder if there is a way to have the antilock braking system deactivate the retarder.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer
 

Re: Retarder Operation

Reply #14 –
Tom, Don't know about the newer systems but on my 95 with the 3050R that is exactly what happens, when ABS kicks in retard is kicked out.  Found this out when ABS had problems and I dealt with the engineers that designed the system. Know tho that the ABS on the 95 and maybe some others is now obsolete and these parameters may have changed.
Gary B