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Topic: PAC Brake (Read 498 times) previous topic - next topic

PAC Brake

Do any of you have both an Allison transmission retarder and a PAC brake?

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #1 –
 There may bo one out there but really a Pac Brake is not needed with the Allsion retarder. My 295 does fine with just Allison
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #2 –
I'm really curious about my recently acquired U295.  It has both.  It has two rocker switches on the control panel, and Foretravel service records (by a previous owner).

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #3 –
I recall running across that combination before, might even be your coach.  I talked to the owner maybe three or four years ago, he wanted it that way, and Foretravel is very accommodating. As I recall, he was a Motorcade member and had his coach available for sale at the time.
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: PAC Brake

Reply #4 –
The advantage of having both is minimal, as the retarder on the first of six steps is probably more effective than the PAC.  Using both together might slightly reduce heating of the transmission fluid by the retarder on a long grade. But using the service brake once to slow down enough to drop to a lower gear while reducing the retarder will also work.
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: PAC Brake

Reply #5 –
I have a PacBrake and love it but no transmission retarder. The PacBrake is not as powerful as the retarder so I would probably not use that in traffic but the retarder instead. Where the PacBrake would be handy would be in big mountains on hot days as the retarder can heat the transmission fluid.

The brakes on that U295 must be like new. :P

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #6 –
Yes, Tom, you nailed that one.  He was the previous owner.

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #7 –
My U270 has both, it didn't have joystick when I purchased, I installed it after I bought it.
Regards ,Irwin
Irwin

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #8 –
Irwin, what is your operating procedure?  Have you used both at the same time?  I presume that the retarder will provide better performance at lower speeds (in city traffic) and that the PAC might likely be the brake of choice on steep (mountainous) grades in hot weather?

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #9 –
I usually use the PAC brake in town , seems to be smooth. I don't like the big down shift at highway speeds, so mostly use retarder at highway speeds , like off ramps.
Regards,Irwin
PS it would be nice if you would post your coach information, if you like . It always helps if you need some kind of help with your coach sometime. FWIW
Irwin
 

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #10 –
The previous owner (Motorcade member) had the Allison shift point set to 5th gear.  I had intended to get the change made myself, but didn't need to.  Anyway, that really works well for me and avoids the big down-shift that you mentioned.

I thought that our coach info was in my profile.  Apparently, I didn't save it correctly.