JohnnyT wrote: I am a little stumped... I thought ISL 400 came with the Engine brake not an exhaust brake?
Me too! I know on Newmars the 370 ISL had an exhaust brake but the 400's had the Jake brake.
Deen - Vancouver, WA
'02 Dutch Star 4090 (41+', triple slide)
435/1200 ISC Cummins/Banks PowerPak
'08 Honda Civic/dolly
'05 Honda Odyssey/dolly
NRA Benefactor Life Member
FMCA f47302s, Life Member: Good Sam, Newmar DP Owners Group
51st yr of RV'ing
I did not replace the Pacbrake myself, but did upgrade to the PRXB. It is much better at speeds of 25 to 45 mph.
My first try with Camping World was not successful. They discovered that there is a metal plate heat shield on the Diplomat ISL that needed to be removed to pull the old Pacbrake and install the PRXB. They wanted to cut the plate and then weld it back on. I said hold for now.
Because I was headed to Elkhart for Monaco service, I had them do the installation there. They seemed to have no problem with the install.
SteveRankin wrote: My understanding is that the ISL could be ordered with either an exhaust brake or engine brake. However, it is possible that the coach manufacturer did not offer a particular model MH with an engine brake because the engine is taller and that could interfere with the floor plan.
Since the ISL is capable of having an engine brake, then that route may still be possible IF there is sufficient clearance. Whether the cost is competitive with the new PacBrake is another story.
We were at a rally last year and 6 guys in our row bought the PRXB conversion from the vendor working the rally. Two techs did the 6 of them one after the other. I'd say they spent about 30-45 minutes on the easier ones, with something over an hour on a couple that were either tougher to access or tougher for other reasons.
FYI, I have a box of 5 old PacBrakes in our barn as spares!
Well, great! If you had a spare PRXB I'd be interested in it if we ever get up your way!! Having a step daughter die and leaving two kids to care for sure gets in the way of travel plans!! Sorry we missed you, someday we really are going to meet!!
I'm sure, after instaling the Banks kit on ours that half an hour would be enough time if I didn't have to run for parts.
Bob....If you look at the reviews and how the PRXB works, it only improves stopping at lower speeds. I have the ISL in a 36' coach and on steep grades it will gain speed at anything above 45 mph. If I use the brakes to reduce my speed to 43 mph, the PacBrake will hold me at 45 mph on every grade I've descended including the grades in Oregon and California along the I-5.
I think you might be disappointed if you're looking for more stopping power at higher speeds.
Don & Mary
2005 Monaco Diplomat 36SKT
400 Cummins
2007 Dodge Dakota 4WD
I've had similar experiences as Diplomat Don. I've been all through the Sierras and the Siskiyous in Oregon and the Pac Brake in my coach will hold a steady speed even on 6% grades. I use the vehicle brakes at the start of the grade to set my speed, and maybe once or twice on the downhill to reset the speed, even on long grades. I've found also that at low speeds some familiarity with the performance of the system will get me excellent results in slowing at interesections and lights.
Joel & Bonnie
3 teen boys and 3 dogs
2006 Monaco Diplomat 40PDQ w/4 slides, 40.5', Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2001 Town & Country, Falcon All-Terrain, Roadmaster EvenBrake. Rallies Attended: 8;Gatherings Attended: 3
Like others have said the 400ISL can be had in both flavors! On our previous coach, we had the two stage engine brake, and it worked fine on all mountain passes in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona.
On our present coach, we have the Pac Brake, and have found that it works just fine, BUT you have to start the grade at a lower speed. Our 42', 46K coach, including toad, will maintain 45MPH on a 6% grade, IF we start at 40-45MPH.
Wil & Cyndi & Einstein (African Gray)
FMCA # F262386
I've been thinking about the PRXB for some time and just haven't done it as we don't get into the mountains that much. The fact that some ISL400s have exhaust brakes is just a cost thing, manufacturers and dealers trying to keep the cost down on some ?? medium priced coaches. Like you Bob, our coach is pretty heavy, 32000# and near 37000# with the toad. The standard PacBrake is inadequate on grades when pulling the GC. If ever I had to replace the ISC350 in our coach for whatever reason it would be an ISL with 2stage Jake.
Dave
GEAUX TIGERS
Dave, Miss Sue & Lucy the Terrorist Scotty Pup
Big Easy Area.
FMCA 153192
00 Windsor, 40' 2 Slide, ISC 350 HP.
02 Grand Cherokee Toad. Brake Buddy, Aventa 2
BigSkyBob wrote: Johnny, at the time I ordered my coach I was told by the salesman that the 2006 ISL 400 could not be equippted with an engine brake and had to use a Pacbrake. Of course I've discovered since that it was the typical salesperson being uninformed. I wish I had an engine brake as my Pacbrake will not hold me back on a 5% grade even down to second gear. So I feel a PRXB is in my future.
Ive never been into WESTERN Mt partner...but I know what you mean for sure. I certainly dont get any "warm and fuzzy feeling" from mine in mtns as say the Bighorns in WY.
I'll most probably have to have the newer PacBrake installed and see if that "feels" right to me...it sure cant be any worse.... At the worst it will be $800-$900 "pee'd" away....but nothing else I CAN do??
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
MCDDY wrote: I've been thinking about the PRXB for some time and just haven't done it as we don't get into the mountains that much. The fact that some ISL400s have exhaust brakes is just a cost thing, manufacturers and dealers trying to keep the cost down on some ?? medium priced coaches. Like you Bob, our coach is pretty heavy, 32000# and near 37000# with the toad. The standard PacBrake is inadequate on grades when pulling the GC. If ever I had to replace the ISC350 in our coach for whatever reason it would be an ISL with 2stage Jake.
Dave
I'm with ya! The only reason Id change from what I have is for a larger engine with a Jake Brake on it. IM running 30K pounds (34K wiht the Jeep) and the PacBrake isnt worth a tinkers **** on LONG 6% grades!!
BigSkyBob wrote: I've lubed the specified points on my Pacbrake and have moved the actuating arm to be sure it's free. I've never given thought to checking to see if the internal components are in the engine for an engine brake but I will certainly do that with a call to Cummins with my serial number. If that's the case it would be like Merry Christmas to me. I have to ask if all the folks driving coaches with circa 2006 ISL 400 engines do in fact have an engine brake and not a Pacbrake.
My 05 ISL 400 has a engine brake, it was built in 04.
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. At the worst it will be $800-$900 "pee'd" away....but nothing else I CAN do??
