What are these "retarders" and how do

Yeap. Think of it as "high idle" and let it waste fuel for an hour.

 

If a Jake brake ####### the engine, how can it not be an engine retarder? Just wondering . . . I thought the laws (not that I agree with them) were written to cover all "engine retarders" not just Jake brakes.

Let me try again - If the Jake brake r e t a r d s the engine, isn't it still an still an engine retarder?

From Wikipedia - Hope it is OK to post -
A compression release engine brake uses an extra lobe on the camshaft to open a second exhaust valve at the top of the compression stroke. The stem of this valve telescopes during normal operation so the valve remains closed, but is locked at full length by a solenoid when the engine brake is engaged so that the valve opens as directed by the cam. This releases the compressed air in the cylinder, thus preventing it from returning its energy back to the piston. Accordingly, engine drag increases and the vehicle speed is reduced.
The driver controls consist of an on/off switch and, sometimes, a multi-position switch that controls the number of cylinders on which the brake is active. When the compression release engine brake is turned on, it will activate when the driver releases the accelerator. There are also switches on the clutch and accelerator pedals that will deactivate the compression brake when the clutch is disengaged or the accelerator is pressed.
[edit] Legislation

The use of compression release engine brakes may cause a vehicle to make a loud chattering or "machine gun" exhaust noise, especially vehicles having high flow mufflers, or no mufflers at all, causing many communities in the United States to prohibit compression braking within municipal limits. Drivers are notified by roadside signs with legends such as "Brake Retarders Prohibited," "Engine Braking Restricted," "Jake Brakes Prohibited," or "Compression Braking Prohibited," and enforcement is typically through traffic fines. Such prohibitions have led to the development of new types of mufflers and turbochargers to better silence compression braking noise.

 

How politically correct. You can talk about a retarder as long as you dont discuss how it #######. I guess you're not allowed to ###### your timing either. Makes me feel like such a ###### . Ok, now I'm abusing the privilege.

 

Jack I don't use the trailer brakes with out using the truck brakes because our units are always hooked together and we're running ABS that work great. Right before I retired the only real grade I'd go over and down is the one that drops down into Laughlin (NV163) and there you could have a good chance of a rock slide so you've got to be able to stop from 35mph to nothing in a hurry if you come around the many turns. So you've got to run the engine brake and you can come down around 30-35 unless we have the bigger truck. Don't you run a truck and trailer? We have a load that goes into Bullhead AZ and then I only have 9100 loaded. But if I go into Laughlin it will be with the super tanker and there we're loaded up to 12,450 gallons. I know about I8 from the drivers from our San Diego terminal. Your company must have had a couple of trucks stolen, ours have. One was loaded and parked for the night shift and it was seen on tape going out the gate! You gotta be cool. Nice to see another gas hauler.

 

Actually Retarders are the people who we elect to run our country LOL..There not doing such a good job at it either..

 

Yes, you are right, it was truck and trailer - posted it as tractor/trailer to keep it less confusing - As of a few years ago, I never heard of a stolen truck (contact carrier or what looks like your company) from SD - but many years ago, a driver might steal a load and sell it for cash. I heard that if that happened, he would be fired, but no further action would be taken - A little different from today. Haven't hauled petroleum for a few years now - Be safe, whatever you are doing now.

 

I know this is old BUT we leave ours on a lot of times just use throttle control and find that little spot on the throttle where the Jakes done engage.

 

I'd like to see someone drive with the units not hooked together.

Most engine brakes are muffled now. Exceptions would be the Supertruckers and their 379's. Or variants. Even then I'm not sure they don't have a choice of muffled?
Muffled means less effective engine brake.

I have a Corolla with an engine brake. It's a gear I shift to. Works great. Keeps me feeling at home.

 

I used the jake brake on lowest setting in South Dakota after a storm blew through. The roads were plowed but I dont think salted.

Anyway, i just gave her 1 click and I felt that zero gravity feeling and then a jackknife happen.

I clicked the jake off and did nothing else and truck and trailer snapped back straight in line.

It brakes the drive tires under your coupling system. It doesnt brake Tandems or steers. In slick conditions you can be taking a curve, your drives are slowing you down but your trailer wants to keep going straight.

Thats what I have learned so far about jakes. Use them but have caution on slippery road.