Community Forums

adonh · 06-08-2013, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveclv

Just as a word of caution on the thread, never stand next to your tire when refilling it.

I know that many people use small compressors with a car type inflator that requires you to stand next to and leaning over the tire to inflate. If the tire lets go (and they do, it's called a 'zipper' failure) it can kill you.
There is a huge amount of energy stored in that tire - especially 22.5s

Truckers use a long hose on the end of the gauge and stand back from the tire to inflate.

I ordered this a few days ago from Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

MSHappyCampers · 06-08-2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnH59

I use the coach compressor when I'm isolated or at our storage facility. To compensate for the compressor equalizing before I get my fronts up to the 105#s I want, I made this air chuck I saw on a web site somewhere. When the pressure gets close to what the tire pressure is, I open the valve to release air. This causes the compressor to kick on and goes back up to 120#s. Takes a few cycles for the fronts. But, I don't have to take up space in a bay with a compressor.

I use a setup similar to that too. I air my front tires to 110 PSI and the rear tires to 100 PSI.

I do have consideration for my neighbors. If I am leaving early in the morning I check and air my tires the afternoon before. Notice I said afternoon, not night! I can't imagine anyone being offended by someone running their diesel engine during the day. JMHO

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

MSHappyCampers · 06-08-2013, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobGed

I believe the OP has a gas powered coach.

I learn something new every day on this forum! I didn't know that gas-powered coaches don't have generators!

FlyingDiver · 06-08-2013, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I learn something new every day on this forum! I didn't know that gas-powered coaches don't have generators!

They may or may not have a generator, but they (generally) won't have a compressor. You need an air suspension or air brakes to have a compressor, and those are generally only found on diesel units.

Davdeb1 · 06-08-2013, 09:35 AM

The intelligent choice when in a campground with full hookups is to carry a $100 compressor. Idling 300-600 HP motor is not just rude, its dangerous. The fumes that are generated during a cold diesel idle are deadly. When you start justifying your "safety" on the road to poison the air your neighbors are breathing, yes, that's being a dinosaur.

Whether you air up in the afternoon, or morning, doesn't matter, its still unsafe for you and everyone around. You can air up using the electricity provided by the campground at your site, your inverter, or, in case neither of those are available, a generator would surely be a better choice than running that big engine 5-10 minutes.

I'm sure the screaming children that offend people at a family campground will live longer and breathe easier if they aren't forced to inhale the poison thrown into the air by the coach next to them.

TheArnolds · 06-08-2013, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack1234

It might have something to do with turning on the +300hp compressor with jacks down causes the suspension to air-up and the jacks-down alarm to go crazy,,,, not to mention the excessive noise and diesel fumes directed toward your neighbours....plus idling your engine without driving it to operating temp is not good for it! .

So you do not use the chassis compressor and you drag around a portable compressor to air your tires on the road? If you need to put air in your tires every few days and causing noise to the point that you are a bad neighbor then you have something wrong with your tire(s)! Just saying

Davdeb1 · 06-08-2013, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheArnolds

So you do not use the chassis compressor and you drag around a portable compressor to air your tires on the road? If you need to put air in your tires every few days and causing noise to the point that you are a bad neighbor then you have something wrong with your tire(s)! Just saying

Yes, I agree if you have to air up tires every few days, you don't need a compressor, you need tires. That being said, a compressor is just another tool that is handy to have on board. Not only does it come in handy to air up the occasional low tire, but can be used to inflate other things, operate tools, and other things.

Maybe you are being a "bad neighbor" by inflating your tires with that noisy portable compressor, but you are being a dangerous neighbor starting up that big engine and idling 5-10 minutes.

steveclv · 06-08-2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rssnape

Advice taken! But in this video you can clearly see the tire is damaged and the one person points it out to the other and then it turns loose.

You missed the point - I used the video to show the explosive force of a tire letting go. It threw that young guy into the side - imagine what would happen to us old farts if that happened - I can hear the brittle bones snapping

If you Google (or I suppose we might BING) Tire Zipper Failure, you will see that there is quite a lot written about truck tires letting go while being inflated.

TheArnolds · 06-08-2013, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davdeb1

Yes, I agree if you have to air up tires every few days, you don't need a compressor, you need tires. That being said, a compressor is just another tool that is handy to have on board. Not only does it come in handy to air up the occasional low tire, but can be used to inflate other things, operate tools, and other things.

Maybe you are being a "bad neighbor" by inflating your tires with that noisy portable compressor, but you are being a dangerous neighbor starting up that big engine and idling 5-10 minutes.

I do not carry around air tools and If I need to inflate an air mattress, bouncy toy, or some other item I have a battery operated, hand held, compressor for that purpose. If I need 150 psi to service my tires, which is not too often, I start my very dangerous engine, that is what it is for otherwise why did the chassis manufacturer install a service manifold to connect an air hose? I am conderate of my neighbors and I think that they would be understanding if I had a low tire that need service. As I said this is not an every day occurrence...

My engine is built to 2010 EPA standards therefore my exhaust is very clean. Standing directly behind the exhaust I can't smell any exhaust fumes.

Jack1234 · 06-08-2013, 11:08 AM

It seems like every few months we have the portable air compressor vrs the 400hp built-in compressor debate. If space is at a premium or you simply do not like, nor have a need for, yet another piece of equipment on-board, I fully understand the benefit of taking advantage of the Coach compressor. However, if you are going to use this 400hp compressor "in the CG" ....WHY is it so difficult to understand that....

1) The noise & fumes can be quite annoying to your fellow campers (potentially even dangerous)? To ignore this fact is to be"purposefully" inconsiderate?
2) In order to use the Coach compressor it is necessary to (a) retract the slides, (b) air-up the rig suspension, (c) retract the jacks....this takes time and may not be convenient or appropriate if you are planning to check and adjust your tires the day before you leave?
3) In order to use the Coach compressor you need to constantly "bleed" air in order to keep the compressor running and able to supply high enough pressure to achieve +100PSI....and this takes time?
4)) It is not good for your engine to idle and not bring it up to operating temperature?

If none of these factors is a concern .....then by all means use the on-board compressor.

**CLIFFTALL** · 06-08-2013, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brigadoon

Here's another vote for the 150 psi Craftsman. Quick and easy.

Me too.

HicksRA · 06-08-2013, 05:34 PM

If I ever end up on a campground where the spaces are so close that idling my engine 5 to 10 minutes is going to kill my neighbor, I'm not staying there.

adonh · 06-08-2013, 05:57 PM

You have to wonder

with the amount of money these big rigs cost why didn't they include an on board compressor for airing up these big tires. There are places they could have built one in out of the way and then have the controls with a hose reel or a connection in one of the bays. It could be wired to run off of 12v or 120v from shore power or generator. How much could that have cost to do. Then we would not need to bring along a stand alone compressor that takes up storage space or start the engine for a task that in most cases is just to top off the air in our tires.

amanda_h · 06-08-2013, 06:16 PM

adonh (and others who think that the on-board compressor won't work), watch this video that's been posted here before ...you have to remember that the on-board compressor cycles:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDOqCk6dTuo

HOW TO: Inflate High Pressure RV Tires - YouTube

Although I carry one of those Craftsman compressors, I usually always use the on-board compressor unless I feel the engine will bother others ...however, that darn Craftsman makes a lot of noise in and of itself! I never need more than 120 psi in my tires anyway so my on-board compressor is fine for all my needs.

Although I have one of those Milton chucks with the 15' hose, I don't use it anymore as I made myself one of those T's that is illustrated in the video. Do I worry about the tire blowing while I top it off? ...no.

-harry