ivanhoe needs to get some earplugs and use them when he goes to bed.

Want to know about the Jake Brakes look here

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

Exactly what I've been thinking reading this thread! So many times I've been outside, hear jakes and get a little tingle even though I know he's 1000 miles away. Just makes me feel closer to him.

FYI it's possible that you've lived in that location before the Jake Brake was invented but just so you know here' are some facts you should read.
"The Jake Brake permits large trucks to descend long, steep grades at a controlled speed. It was the first practical mechanism for altering on demand the valve timing on a truck diesel engine, thereby converting the engine to a power absorbing machine. The modified engine can continue to power the truck in normal operation, allowing service brakes to remain cool for emergency situations. Invented by Clessie Lyle Cummins (1886-1968, this device (produced by the Jacobs manufacturing company since 1961) has contributed significantly to highway safety."

The sound of jake brakes give me goosebumps!

It is good for the soul to repent...Now it's my turn..Those noisy jake brakes keep more wild life from getting run over the sound sends them running it is more of a safety devise to cattle horses, deer,dogs and the like sorry your ears are so sensitive...I love the sound of the jake brake and like most for the safety of other where do you live maybe we can start taking your groceries and commodoties in other directions and you can drive to pick them up

I love the sound of jake brakes... I live on a country highway and many log trucks and others go by here everyday!!! Why? I don't know but they are like music to my ears!!!! If a trucker feels more safer using them by all means DO IT!!!! These are the ones that bring you everything you pretty much live on. So go to the nearest store ,buy some ear plugs and stick them in your ear!!! How did they get there? A trucker!!! Did you drive a car? A trucker brought that car to the dealer!!! Did you eat today? A trucker delivered groceries to your store!!! And when you go to bed and lay down on that bed a trucker brought that to the store you bought it from so for the safety of the truckers we all should be very thankful to each and everyone for the hours of dedication and the time they stay away from family and friends to bring us what we live on each and every day..., There are other motorized vehicles that make alot more noise than them that are more irritating.. Think about that....Next time you hear jake brakes think of it as a new kind of music and know a driver is safe!!!!

But for someone with straight pipes to come into a truckstop at midnight and go jaking through the parking lot waking everybody up is simply NOT COOL!!!

__________________
Z-Lady's devoted hubby.

ya, I've heard many bikes and cars much louder thatn any Jake. I get woken up by the pounding of some stereo in some car in the middle of the night too. It just goes to prove that inconsideration is not just found in the truckers, but all walks of life. Oh, I fully believe there is a right time and wrong time for Jakes. In my city there is a complete ban on Jakes, which I disagree with sometimes. We do have the odd 6-8% grade and it could be a valid place to use them, but one bad apple spoils it for us all i guess.

jake brakes save the life of brake pads. i only use them when the hill is too steep for the brake pumping to keep the speed down.

this is a subject that usually shows how adult a trucker is. point of fact. the guy said he built his house long before engine brakes, so asking why he did what he did is pointless. the original intent of an engine brake was for mountain driving, not going UP an exit ramp, or in a school zone or anywhere else. as for saving your brakes, newer trucks have much better compound brakes and are made to safely stop an 80,000 pound vehicle in a safe manner. remember those brake systems are government tested, certified and used on trucks that don't have an engine brake. around here where i live it's flat ground. what happens is some jerk with a 6 year old brain engages the brake at high r.p.m. and downshifts several times so as to keep the r.p.m. up, and the racket with it. usually they hammer on the brake at the last minute to make the stop. that ain't safety kids, that's nothing more than grandstanding and showing the world you are basically an idiot. sort of like blasting a stereo louder than a fireworks show.

on the open interstate i can see the use, as well as down a hill or mountain. on state highways with lower speed limits it's use ought to be greatly limited. in towns, banned, period. in the town near where i live the fine is $127.50. nearly a days pay of hard work because the child in you just had to get some attention. using the jake in a 30 m.p.h. speed zone? please!

as for straight pipes and no mufflers, i have had them on my trucks, so i NEVER used the jake anywhere but on the interstate or far away from people.

it may be very hard for some to comprehend, but when you call attention to yourself or this industry, it ought to be in a positive way. this ain't it.