Air Hose Use??

Ramets · 08-21-2010, 09:35 AM

I have a 2000 DS Pusher that has an air hose connection under the hood. My dilemma is when I've tried to use it in the past at a camp site(with engine running) the air bags start to inflate since they were dumped, which is something I don't want to happen since the jacks are down and the slides are out. Am I missing something or is there no way to use the air connection without inflating the bags?

LindyT · 08-21-2010, 06:18 PM

To be honest, you should not be using your coach as a campsite compressor -- starting your coach and not driving it is something nearly all engine and chassis manufacturers recommend against. When started, it needs to reach operating temperature, which can ONLY be achieved by driving it. Otherwise, you are just leaving excess moisture in the engine - not good! It is not like a gasoline engine that you can exercise at idle... water temp is not what you need to be concerned with on a Diesel - it is oil temp and again, that can only brought to operating temp under load.

Sorry, not trying to lecture... but really - you should have a proper compressor.

**RickO** · 08-21-2010, 08:43 PM

Good info Lindy. I'd like to expand on the OP question if I can without hijacking.

On occasion I'll fire up the coach to "air up" any tires which might need a bump and because my TPMS makes this a PITA, I usually try to do this the day before travel. More frequently, I find myself needing to bring in a slide (or two) while docked... usually because I'm working on some project or other.

Not wanting to put a strain on my chassis batteries, I would start the engine and let it run on fast idol until it hit about 170f coolant temp. It was my understanding that today's technology helped avoid the excess fuel build up that was once common.

Do I have this wrong?

Back to the OP, I'll have to check but I didn't think my air bags inflated when the jacks were down...

Norm4015 · 08-21-2010, 09:19 PM

The air bags on your 2000 DSDP will inflate when you start the engine. The only way to prevent this is to hold the Dump switch down by placing something heavy on it. Otherwise, you need to raise the jacks if you want to run the engine and to inflate the tires.

My 2005 DSDP does not inflate the air bags until I raise the jacks, but my 2000 DSDP did.

Ramets · 08-22-2010, 06:32 AM

It's not that I want to use the compresser all the time, but after sitting for a few months I might need to top off my tires. That was the reason for the query. I guess it wouldn't hurt to have to exercise the slides and jacks to be able to use the onboard air supply. Thanks everyone for the replies. I thought maybe I was missing something.