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Driving in 4hi

H3LZSN1P3R said:
The engine brake does not have that much power lol
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I did a quick search and there was a post on another cummins forum where I guy posted his near death experience after using the EB in the snow/icy conditions....

I really have no idea since I live in Southern Az. I can say the EB in my 2019 3500 HO/AISIN would feel like it would throw in to the steering wheel without a seat belt on (TOW/HAUL Mode). My 2022 3500 HO/AISIN seems to be just as aggressive but it doesn't throw you forward like the 2019. They have made some improvements in the "feel" of the AISIN.

I probably won't test this delima the next time I am on snow however.....
 
js4024 said:
Totally disagree sir.... You have your engine brake engaged on an icy road and you will wind up in trouble. I promise you... but hey, you do as you want... LOL
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Freezing rain and glare ice as never been an issue with my exhaust brake or downshifting in my manual trucks either…. If you have garbage tires i could see it being an issue… im in northern Canada we spend 4-5 months out of the year driving on ice lol
 
If it’s slippery enough I go 4 high. If your driving a diesel it’s like having a elephant on the front axel and a chicken on the back axel. I would much rather brake the powertrain with the engine compression than braking the wheel especially helpfull in 4WD. My farm tractors automatically shift into front wheel assist (4WD) when I step on the brake for safety. Brakes are only on the back axels but it brakes the driveline to also apply stopping power to front tires which are attached to the ground :).
 
QCHunter said:
We were between Munds park and Flagstaff when it started snowing. The plows were running but there was some snow showing where wheels weren’t driving. I did stay in 2wd and held our lane and 65 until our turn off.
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Kachina or Mountainaire? Both nice areas! I'll be in Mountainaire this Friday for a few hours
 
Great White North Eh said:
If it’s slippery enough I go 4 high. If your driving a diesel it’s like having a elephant on the front axel and a chicken on the back axel. I would much rather brake the powertrain with the engine compression than braking the wheel especially helpfull in 4WD. My farm tractors automatically shift into front wheel assist (4WD) when I step on the brake for safety. Brakes are only on the back axels but it brakes the driveline to also apply stopping power to front tires which are attached to the ground :).
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I find its more dangerous driving with abs than the exhaust brake lol
 
I know what you mean. They have taken away the ability to control the direction of travel of our vehicles with the brakes! I find vehicles with only front wheel ABS dangerous AF. I would rather trust the computer between my ears and the modulator on the end of my ankle.
 
I have been doing a 60m each way route for over 8 years now. I have done it most in a ram with an aisin and gooseneck with between 10k-15k lb trailer. The weight difference is if that the water level can be empty to full either direction. Healthy hill both directions that bring semis to half the limit if not lower and also some highway corners that can have some stupid ice. The exhaust brake being on and causing an accident is generally just the final straw. Tires, 2 vs 4wd, and where and what weight is on the tires play a much larger role. In terms of 4wd hi, my 2016 ran it when ever the ground got covered in the white stuff and got turned off when I could see the pavement again. Never had a single issue, put 120k towing miles on it before trading it in. Some get excited about running 4wd on highways and on dry highways they have a reason. When in snow turn it on, adjust your speed, and enjoy your 4wd vehicle, but keep to the limits of your tires
 
Myfast70 said:
Kachina or Mountainaire? Both nice areas! I'll be in Mountainaire this Friday for a few hours
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We were in the 17 headed by Kachina. Very nice area to spend any time but we only drove by. Took kids to the snow play area outside Flagstaff.
Enjoy it there.
 
duallyben said:
I have been doing a 60m each way route for over 8 years now. I have done it most in a ram with an aisin and gooseneck with between 10k-15k lb trailer. The weight difference is if that the water level can be empty to full either direction. Healthy hill both directions that bring semis to half the limit if not lower and also some highway corners that can have some stupid ice. The exhaust brake being on and causing an accident is generally just the final straw. Tires, 2 vs 4wd, and where and what weight is on the tires play a much larger role. In terms of 4wd hi, my 2016 ran it when ever the ground got covered in the white stuff and got turned off when I could see the pavement again. Never had a single issue, put 120k towing miles on it before trading it in. Some get excited about running 4wd on highways and on dry highways they have a reason. When in snow turn it on, adjust your speed, and enjoy your 4wd vehicle, but keep to the limits of your tires
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You’ve said the magic word. “Tires”
 
flan said:
Not to sound like a smart ass, but I run in 4 hi when 2 hi just isn’t cutting it.
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I live in Iowa and use 4hi when I drive on fresh snow or roads that are packed with snow. I usually drive with caution and be alert to any changes of the road or steering. just keep a firm but light grip on the wheel and drive according to road conditions. most importantly, give yourself plenty of distance between other vehicles and remember to be easy on the brakes. just because others are acting Mario Andretti on the speedway doesnt mean you have to do that too.
 
I have found this a very interesting topic since i bought my cummins ram. Gas engines have compression from the engine when you let off the accelerator, but some how people have managed to survive.
 
My Truck has an LSD and I believe that this is not the best for snow and ice in a sense that it spins both tires in 2wd. That makes the vehicle fishtail easier. With an open diff, only 1 wheel spins while the other wheel makes the truck go straight. Of course you can drift with an open diff but it is a little bit more difficult.
To be on the safe side I think no matter of the rear diff type, 4wd should be better- an unstable rear end with 2wd is the worst for safety (unless you like drifting in a controlled manner)
Since the 1980th Auto manufacturers like Audi advertised all wheel drive as a safety feature.
Engine brake is somewhat difficult to control and tough to shut off quick in an emergency, you want every wheel roll easily when it gets slippery that you have all traction available to steer the truck to where you want it to go.
 
Great White North Eh said:
If it’s slippery enough I go 4 high. If your driving a diesel it’s like having a elephant on the front axel and a chicken on the back axel. I would much rather brake the powertrain with the engine compression than braking the wheel especially helpfull in 4WD. My farm tractors automatically shift into front wheel assist (4WD) when I step on the brake for safety. Brakes are only on the back axels but it brakes the driveline to also apply stopping power to front tires which are attached to the ground :).
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What if you use two fat chickens on the back axle? ;););)
 
rudyyoko said:
I have found this a very interesting topic since i bought my cummins ram. Gas engines have compression from the engine when you let off the accelerator, but some how people have managed to survive.
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It’s it even close to the same experience with an exhaust brake on a Cummins. The EB will generate as much as 200 hp in braking force on the engine, which already has significantly higher compression force than a gasser. By closing the intake the EB creates a giant vacuum in the engine that requires energy to slow down. It is the difference between a force pulling the truck to a stop (gasser) and a force pushing it to a stop (EB).
 
Yeah JS4024 makes a good point about the sandbags in the back. You want the back end of the truck to keep a good connection to the road too, and not swing around because your front end is heavier. If I have packed or slushy snow covering the whole road, or possibly if I have a LOT of water in ruts in a road, then I'll use 4HI. But I always try to remember my speed. One evening in a snowstorm, I was in 4 HI, and the road was really cold from wind. Some patches were packed snow, and other areas were becoming ICE. I hit a patch where the ice was breaking up, and the back end of the empty 3/4ton started to hop and chatter, and just lost connection with the road (think washboard) - this caused the back end to swing 70 or 90 degrees to the right, and it sent me into a wooden fence to the left, 20 feet off the road. My speed was only about 35 mph.

But then another guy came along and we got to use the recovery straps! Not to sound too careless, nobody got hurt, but that's how it goes. So 4HI vs 2HI, it's just 1 factor I guess. Great question.
 
jetrinka said:
You’ve said the magic word. “Tires”
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Ah yes tires. There are far too many people out there that don't want to spend the money on a good tire for the winter. I used to be one until I tried a dedicated winter tire on a truck. I currently have 6 studded Nokians on my dually. I can take off from a stop on an uphill in 2wd on ice without spinning most of the time. The difference between these tires and regular A/T's is absolutely unbelievable. I get that running a winter tire might not be for everyone but I have to drive 3 hours to get to the airport for work once a week and I live in the mountains so it is a must for me.
 
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