Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 07, 2025 ...

If your operating with service brakes being your only resource out west then you'll want to start your  descent in a low enough gear that you DONT use them.  I'm thinking 3rd gear, maybe 4th depending on the grade.

  I learned the hard way after 2 brake jobs.  Our coach had a brake activated retarder so I had to use the brakes to take advantage of the retarder benefits.....  doesn't work on down grades, not even a little bit.  Works great that way in town but not on grades. 
    We have the joy stick now so all is good even though a trans retarder together with a Jake would be even better. 
  Not a direct comparison to your pac brake question but object is the same.    NO BRAKES on down hill unless to brake and downshift. 

  Others will have to share the befits of a pac brake.

I've put an easy 15k miles in the Rockies on my coach and have never had a problem without an auxiliary brake. My front pads are still minty new. I'm on my way up to BC through Idaho as we speak.

Don't worry about it, no big deal if you know how to manage your gears and are an attentive driver.

Elliott,

What engine do you have.  Without an exhaust or engine brake, engine displacement is important in determining braking HP.

If the Cummins C engine (8.3 l), it is quite a lot larger displacement than the Caterpillar 3116 (6.6 l) which is itself larger than the Cummins B (5.9 l).  And the Caterpillar 3208 (10.4 l) has a lot larger displacement than the Caterpillar 3116.

Brett,
Are you referring to compression braking without assist, with an exhaust brake, or both?
Also, are there any engine issues using the PacBrake or other exhaust brake?

More displacement/more "friction" whether  with or without an exhaust brake means more braking HP.  Suspect the Caterpillar 3208 (10.4 liters and 8 cylinders) would have the best braking without an exhaust brake.

As far as the exhaust brake that can be fit on a 1993 U240's Caterpillar 3116, it depends on the engine serial number. 1993 was a split year with earlier engines having weaker valve springs so less backpressure allowed.  Our 1993's engine (# 2BK25862. AR 6I2481. Built Sept 29, 1992) was able to use the higher backpressure/more effective exhaust brake.  No idea whether your engine was before/after the change-- build date of engine is not really closely related to when Foretravel installed it.

I do have the 3208 and ran into the same issue you mention with weaker valve springs and therefor no exhaust brakes available or it either (there was one company that apparently made them for a while but they're unobtainium now and from what I read, didn't add much value).

P.S. I'm shocked to hear the 3116 has so much less displacement. Yet more horsepower I think?

This is encouraging. I am in North Idaho, where no matter which way you go, you're looking at a high, sometimes long, mountain pass. It is good to know that they can be traversed without an auxiliary brake. Thanks!

...if the engine is not set up for much back-pressure, the exhaust brake doesn't do much.

Slow down. Run the same gear you climb in. Dont let it get control, you need to manage. Bigger brakes and aux brakes help to overcome bad situations, so just slow down and dont let it get control from you. Keep aware of your weight, get all the extra stuff out of the coach, it's more to stop. Personally I think stopping the coach is more important than  pushing it faster. Overrated brake systems complemented with a retarder and a Jack brake sounds good for me. Study what you must do if you find yourself in an uncontrolled situation. Knowing how to shed speed in an emergency may save your life and others. You dont want to learn how to do this while it's happening. Pre plan your route to avoid bad downhills. Oh I have too much brakes and to many redundant ways to stop said no one ever!

I live in sandpoint Id and had a 93 u240 for years pulling zuki and never issues with hot brakes on passes.

I would have preferred a Jake (exhaust) brake when Foretravel designed the coach. The retarder works well but builds heat quickly with repeated use over a short time rendering it useless on long (and short) downhills. The Kenworth I had back in the late 90's had a Cat 3126 with a 9 speed and Jake, it was the absolute greatest when it came to downhill driving, you could run miles downhill in the mountains without touching the brakes, not to mention that great sound.
I think Foretravel was thinking of campground noise and decided the retarder would be quieter, however the retarder (not turned off: my fault) can lock up the rear wheels on a corner in the wet causing a skid, which never happened with the Jake brake.
I feel the retarder is a poor second best compared to a good exhaust brake.
I wonder would an additional cooler be possible which would extend the operational time?
David