My brakes are smoking when on steep grades.

I have all disc brakes now and like them but just don’t know if switching the new (2019) big bunk I just bought to discs would be worth the $$

I get the stopping distance but if it like $10k then maybe not so much until o get the next truck

I watched part of that video and just finished the rest
Maybe for that extra 30’ or so it’s fine with drums
I don’t even know I’ve ever had to hard brake like that in the past anyways
The one time you need it might make a difference but I don’t run hard into a pack of drivers anyway

 

Looks that y'all got him squared away. Glad to see someone accepting knowledge and advice without getting aggressive.

 

Truck Type/Style/Make Unimportant.

When The Brakes Brake Properly, They Shouldn't Break Until They're Broken, Which Depends Entirely Upon How Many Breaks Require Braking.

 

Yep I am the same way. That is why I did not really care to have them on everything. Front will do just fine for me.

 

He likely has a switch that can be used to switch to manual, but the company can disable that switch or it may have been disabled at the factory. Just having the switch doesn't mean it will switch HIS truck from auto into manual transmission.

 

On Freightliner the right stalk controls the engine brake. I believe the further you pull that stalk toward you the more engine brake is applied. Pushing that right stalk all the way forward turns engine brake off.

You can force a downshift by pressing that right stalk down. You can force an upshift by pulling up on the stalk.
On the end of that stalk is a sliding switch. If you push and hold that switch in, push it toward the center of the steering wheel. If your truck is allowed to switch into manual mode, it will switch because of that switch. I believe you have to hold that switch pushed in for 5 seconds. Look on the display where it tells you the gear. If that switch is allowed to operate you will see a letter M near the gear display on the dash. It is possible your truck cannot be placed into manual mode. Some companies disable the manual/auto switch.

 

Everybody has smoked their brakes at least once.

 

Disc brakes are awesome. I had them on the tractor and the trailer. The only 2 complaints I've heard about disc brakes are they may be more expensive than drum and they tend to grab. They are far more effective at stopping and they take a lot more heat before they fade than drum. I love disc brakes on a truck.

 

Air flow going over the brakes will cool them much faster and keep them from actually catching fire.you have to pace yourself back from traffic flow so you don’t have to use them for a few miles till they cool then stop and check them.

 

One of the manufacturer touted advantages to disk brakes is less weight. So that does not make sense.