Sounds like you may have a much different transmission. On the Allison 6 speeds the Jake will engage in any gear you are in and immediately shift down to exert back force. When I first got the coach, when the jake engaged it shifted to 5th gear-that is just 300 rpms & at 35-45 mph that doesn't give you much hold back. At 70 mph it would work fine until a big hill. Since I run for hours in very hilly conditions I needed it to shift to 4th gear to provide enough hold back to maintain my speed. Before I was using my service brakes constantly. Now I seldom use them except to stop. When I descend a very steep hill I choose a gear & the jake will work in that gear. I do have a hi/low setting, but even in the high setting 5th gear was not holding me back. The change was that when it engages, if your speed allows, the trans shifts to 4th gear instead of only to 5th gear and that provides enough hold back force for 99% of the time. The change I made did not take away my ability to pick any gear I want if I wish. I had this setup in my last coach & felt it worked much better. For hilly or mountainous driving this set up is definitely better. Newell's comment was we do it all the time for people who drive in hilly & mountainous areas. I don't suggest it for everyone, but definitely something to consider if you are driving in areas like I do.
Works for me...............
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Steve
Newell
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