swagman brakes

[wayneP]

Dot & George, did the same with genny put fan on it to help cool it plus petrol tank(best thing to do but looong story why.)
Martin, great to see you are on your way to test out your new springs,hope you have sorted your exhaust brake. You probably have driven 1000's of ks, but I promise you, you will notice the difference with one operational especially following the B56 through Wilmington over the little mtn, down main north road to Pt Augusta. Have a safe trip !!!!
Regards Wayne

[Dot]

Thanks for that feedback Wayne, we haven't had the chance to test it out as yet.. Hope to catch up one day to hear your story.

[dapope]

Dot & George, did the same with genny put fan on it to help cool it plus petrol tank(best thing to do but looong story why.)
Martin, great to see you are on your way to test out your new springs,hope you have sorted your exhaust brake. You probably have driven 1000's of ks, but I promise you, you will notice the difference with one operational especially following the B56 through Wilmington over the little mtn, down main north road to Pt Augusta. Have a safe trip !!!!
Regards Wayne

Hi Wayne,
We have no exhaust brake!! We will be relying on the gearbox hold, and keeping the revs down. reading the manual, theres a couple of other magic systems in there(we hope) that are supposed to retard things.
We have one of those fancy onan things, I got a bit more stuck on the exhaust, as I suspect it helped with the tire failure when we got going
We will find out this am

[Jodebtre]

We have no exhaust brake!! We will be relying on the gearbox hold, and keeping the revs down. reading the manual, theres a couple of other magic systems in there(we hope) that are supposed to retard things.
We have one of those fancy onan things, I got a bit more stuck on the exhaust, as I suspect it helped with the tire failure when we got going
We will find out this am

WARNING
What are the magic systems

If your gearbox is the same as ours, which I suspect it is (almost same model, same year)

THE GEARBOX WILL NOT HELP SLOW YOUR DESCENT

It will always kick up a gear when the revs increase

[BruceS]

Good to see you on the go again.... home for Christmas easily!
Just remember that most, if not all, states install signs indicating steep downhill gradiants. If you see one it is easier to slow VERY quickly at the top & proceed slowly that it is to try slowing once you're halfway down.
Safe travels on your way home!

Oh! ... is the modem for Bigpond?

[Pokey]

I wouldn't be without the exhaust brake. It can be a life saver on a big unit. It was the first thing we bought after we picked up the old girl before any thoughts about PV panels, batteries or anything else. If you can't stop it doesn't matter how flash your unit is, it will just be a twisted heap at the bottom of the hill if the brakes fail on the way down a range.

I bought mine from a wreckers for less then $200 including the necessary vacuum (in my case) fittings. The fitting is basically take it to the exhaust shop and get them to cut the exhaust pipe, make a couple of flanges to hold it in place, connect it up to the vacuum tank and put a couple of micro switches under the accelerator and brake pedals as well as an on/off switch on the dash somewhere. You can get them to do the lot or just fit the unit and wire it yourself, it is not complicated.

Going down a range will feel so much more in control and provided you get your gears right, you shouldn't need to touch the brake or at worst apply the odd dab on steeper sections and no messing about trying to grab a lower gear if it is running away.

[dapope]

Well, flinders range gave us a chance to see what was what, locked it in second, no more than 6or so dabs only on the brake to keep it below 2500revs, could probably have gone a little more, but anyway, worked out fine, kept it well in control. From late Thursday we have now got to within 450 km of Perth. I had a brief spin up to 117, then chickened, but was plenty left. Trucks wont be bitchin about us holding them up! It sure covers the ground!. Spectacular lightening show in the southern bight last night, and an equally magical sunrise. Be nice to do it all again without the rush:-)

[dapope]

Back in one piece, finally. Engine braking does work better in the performance mode, but i had forgotten how idiotic some perth drivers are, dodging them on the greenmount hill kept a sweat on me!
Will see what the wreckers have.....

[Dot]

Good job home at last now you can relax before back to work to really relax.

[dapope]

might take tomorrow off to mentally prepare myself......