Which exhaust brake is the best?

I like and use Pacbrake. Had one on my '96 Ram Cummins Auto. Used it for 170,000 trouble free miles. Have one on my 2003 Ram Cummins Auto. To date about 27,000 trouble free miles. I personally will not tow without an exhaust brake as we tow a 14,000 lb 5er in lots of mountains on a regular basis. Safety is our primary concern.

Brake Controllers

Many if not most of us have an additional plug on the side of the truck bed where it is more convenient to plug in after hooking up. This is usually done by the dealer when the hitch is installed and they check everything out before delivery. Ask, as the brake controller is usually part of the deal. If you have an option, the Prodigy is very good.

Knowing What to Expect When Crossing a Steep Mountain Grade Builds Confidence

Here is a description from "Mountain Directory West" of the following passes.  These summits are between El Cajon and Ocotillo, CA on
I-8.

LAGUNA SUMMIT elev. 4055'
CRESTWOOD SUMMIT elev. 4109'
TECATE SUMMIT elev. 4140'
MOUNTAIN SPRINGS PASS elev. 3241'
Crosswinds can be very strong along this entire stretch of highway--especially on the east side of Mountain Springs Pass. Laguna Summit is about 1½ miles east of the Pine Valley exit. The westbound descent begins with about 2½ miles of 4-5% downhill before starting a 1¼ mile 4-5% climb. After topping this hill the road will make a 3000' drop in elevation spread out over 18 miles.
The grade starts down immediately at about 6%. Soon there is a warning sign--"6% grade next 13 miles." This warning is repeated at one mile intervals all the way down the hill. The grade is fairly steady for about 4 miles near the top and for another 4 miles near the town of Alpine. In between these two stretches are about 6 miles of stair stepping grade with short, steep sections alternating with short sections of lesser grade.

The eastbound descent from Laguna Summit starts with about 3 miles of 5-6% grade and then eases before beginning the climb to Crestwood Summit. This climb is about 3-4% for several miles and the last 4 miles to Crestwood Summit is about 6% uphill grade.

It is 3 miles between Crestwood Summit and Tecate Summit and the grades are 3-4%.
The eastbound descent from Tecate Summit is about 9 miles of variable grade. It is 4-6% with some stretches of lesser grade. There is about a 1000' drop in elevation during this stretch before beginning a 4 mile climb of about 3% to the summit of Mountain Springs Pass.

The eastbound descent from the summit of Mountain Springs Pass begins with warning signs--"9 miles of 6% grade--All trucks check brakes" and "Truck speed limit 35 mph" and "Runaway truck ramp 5 miles." The grade doesn't look steep but it's a steady 6% for most of the 9 miles. The grade warnings are repeated every mile and there are several warnings about the escape ramp. The ramp exits to the right and is at the same grade as the road.

There are 50 mph curves and the wind can be severe.
 

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