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11-04-2014, 10:13 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: cayucos, ca
Posts: 1,299
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Old scout:
You are correct. Our 03 was an isl cummins with an included Jake brake. We have had about 10 motor homes and sometimes my 76 year old brain forgets which had what equipment. I also seem to remember that with the 2000 Alpine, besides the 12 volt backup motor the master cylinder also had a hydraulic accumulator built in that was good for at least one brake application w/o the engine running. I also remember that the time my engine failed as I was going down the winding hill, as I applied the brakes I did hear the backup motor run. However the brake pedal felt different, it went nearly to the floor. So please imagine the scare, engine failed, steering hard to handle and brake pedal going near to the floor all at the same time.
We now have a coach with air disc brakes. If the engine should fail I would still have about 10 brake applications before loosing my service brakes entirely. Also my spring brake canisters on the rear axle would take over and stop the coach.
I also read where a federal agency, NTSB or ? Stated that air disc brakes were far safer than any type of drum brakes.
My intent was not to disparage Alpine coaches. They are fine driving machines. I believe the discussion was about hydraulic or air brakes. In my opinion air is by far better.
__________________
Ross Starkenburg
2017 Newmar Dutch Star 4369. Spartan chassis w/full disc brakes. 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
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11-07-2014, 01:54 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Beech Island
Posts: 205
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Think about This?
What type of brakes do automobiles and pick up trucks have? Yes, hydraulic disc brakes. Now days its disc all round. They must be pretty reliable and I would say there are more mechanics that are knowledgeable on hydraulic than air brakes.
__________________
2008 34FDDS Alpine Limited
Beech Island,SC
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10-13-2022, 04:14 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Scout
Interesting--your 03 Alpine and perhaps your 00 both had an aux braking system powered by a 12v motor to provide power assisted braking in the event of engine loss. Yes--steering might be an issue if the engine stalls/quits but that applies to most coaches. Of course in a real emergency you could always pull the "yellow handled" parking brake knob. IMHO, both braking configs have advantages and disadvantages--but your experience with engine loss doesnt address either side of the issue......
PS--your 03 should have had a ISL 400 with a Jake, guess the ISC was still an option in 03.....
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Old Scout, I have a o4 AlpineCoach with an ISC 8.3. I’m not familiar with the auxiliary 12v braking. This would be nice to know since I’ve experienced my engine stalling in two separate incidents. Scary going 55 mph with no brakes and no power steering. Can you please elaborate on the 12 volt braking system? Pulling the yellow parking brake knob would be my last thing to try and do as I would be afraid of my drive shaft from coming apart.
Leigh
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10-13-2022, 05:15 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 3,004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tweezz
Old Scout, I have a o4 AlpineCoach with an ISC 8.3. I’m not familiar with the auxiliary 12v braking. This would be nice to know since I’ve experienced my engine stalling in two separate incidents. Scary going 55 mph with no brakes and no power steering. Can you please elaborate on the 12 volt braking system? Pulling the yellow parking brake knob would be my last thing to try and do as I would be afraid of my drive shaft from coming apart.
Leigh
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Easy....turn the key on and push the brakes before you start the engine... you'll hear the aux pump kick in
__________________
Paul & Jean
2001 Alpine 36FDDS (74291)-3900W Solar, 13,440Wh (525Ah @24V) LiFePO4
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Hemi)
2006 Alpenlite 32RL - Sold
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10-14-2022, 02:21 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,818
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveLevin
Actually, it's not quite that simple. The use case for air brakes also includes the fact that they are much better under heavy use cases -- literally, you can use them to the point of setting the brake pads on fire (whereas hydraulic systems will have stopped providing braking force long before that).
Steve
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Funny, when I go down big grades, I see special ramps for trucks whose brakes (air) have failed. I also often see long skid marks on the highway where some truck has had a brake lock up. My thoughts are the air brakes are used on trucks simply because they can generate more pressure, the pressure need to stop 80,000 pound loads.
The braking system found on Alpine Coaches is the same as used on thousands of school busses and medium duty trucks. The number one disadvantage to hydraulic brakes on an RV is that the fluid goes bad and the system corrodes if the coach is not used regularly (brake fluid asorbs water).
There has been discussion about the problems with the brakes on some Alpine Coach motorhomes. The base issue is the brakes stick (on). The cause is either corroded slide pins or a swelling of the phenolic coating on the brake pistons. The effect is boiling fluid, cracked rotors, and melted ABS sensors. The solution is regular use and maintenance. For me, the regular maintenance is changing the fluid (at least every 2 years).
__________________
2001 Alpine Coach 38/8
ACA 2018006
Andy
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10-14-2022, 06:28 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Sugar Grove IL
Posts: 409
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Very well stated Andy! I couldn’t agree more with your analysis.
__________________
Mack Mover
2003 Alpine 40 MDTS
400 ISL
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10-22-2022, 08:46 PM
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#21
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Registered User
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 10
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The nicest driving 40 ft. coach I've found is my '06 Apex which has a two stage comp brake and hydraulic brakes. In normal driving, I use the brake pedal the last 10 mph or so to come to a stop. Slowing to 10 is done by the comp brake. I enjoy the smooth, car like response of the Apex's hydraulic brakes.
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