Air Dryer Canister

[akadeadeye]

I have read where the air dryer canister should be replaced on some schedule. I don't know when it should be replaced (mileage, age, etc.) I have a Spartan Chassis with 13,000 miles and our coach is a 2009.

I have been told by our RV Tech folks that it would cost about $300 to $400 to replace it.

Do we need to do this?

Is the price in the ballpark?

Thanks

Don

[KIX]

I think Spartan recommends a 3 year changeout schedule. The cannister on our Spartan is about $125. Labor would be about an hour to replace........approx. $125 labor. So, $300 -$400 sounds a little high to me.

[sailor_lou]

I recently purchased a Wabco/Meritor cartridge from Raney's Truck parts Raney's Truck Parts - Chrome Semi Truck Parts & Accessories for less than $100 including shipping. It just spins off like an oil filter and is a pretty simple DIY job. On a low mileage motorhome 3 to 5 years is about right and I would agree with KIX, if you're having someone else do it $300 to $400 sound a bit high.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

[akadeadeye]

Thanks for the comments guys. I agree that 3 years is probably the time to check into this, after doing some more research.

Don

[Norm4015]

Spartan told me to replace the canister at 3 years if I drove in wet weather and at 5 years if I drove in dry weather. They were assuming driving 10-12K a year. I just looked mine up on Spartan's site and they charge $82.12

[Iron Man]

Try purging your air tanks over concrete, if you see any moisture on the ground go on and replace the dryer. Part of the canister's job is to remove moisture fom the air system.

[Perry White]

I get my filter/drier from fleet filter and it's only $38. They are almost all the same. I believe I have a 1200 series. I replace mine every year wether it needs it or not.

[BigSkyBob]

I just replaced my air dryer, a Wabco/Meritor model 1200 cartridge. It had been in service 4 years. It took me about 10 minutes to spin off the old one and install the new cartridge. Got mine from NAPA for $55. On Edit: I might add, watch for Chinese knock offs they are junk and most are rebuilt.

[Mr_D]

I changed mine out a few years ago, think it was three so it went six years and we live in the wet NW. No moisture showing anywhere then or now. Cost then was less than $80.

[Cruzer]

Keep in mind that the three year service interval is an arbitrary number based on an estimate of how much moisture will be passed through the filter. The actual amount varies with your climate, driving habits, and mileage.

The best way to know is to drain your air tanks regularly. You really aren't so much as draining them though as your are testing them. Normally you'll see barely any moisture coming out when you pull the drain lanyards. That's good! But some day you are going to see alot more moisture come out the drain valve. That's when you know that it's time to change the coalescing filter element, whether it's two years or six. By testing them on a monthly basis (unless you drive lots of miles) you'll be on top of things.

Also, if you keep a spare element on hand, like I do, you'll be ready for when that happens. But, be sure to keep it in a sealed zip-lock bag or else it'll start filtering the air around it and it's service life will be reduced.