Brake chamber vrs hat (diaphram)

[Jwar]

A friend had an air issue, (leaking diaphragm inside the air chamber) and he purchased a box of air chambers and getting ready to change them all out, asked me to help him, glad he did, he didn't know how to cage the maxi pot, and that can ruin your whole day LOL

Being that his RV was only ten years old, asked why he wanted to change all cylinder's. Said he read it on the net (not this site) to change out all air hoses cylinders and valves at ten years or at the first air leak.

Being I'm a retired diesel machinist and heavy equipment mechanic I have never heard of this ten year replacement, ???

The short of the story we changed out all the hats ( for his comfort zone )and soap tested the complete air system and changed out one hose due to abrasion.

Don't get me wrong here if your comfort level is to spend the big bucks for your comfort level, do it.

Perhaps Im old a frugal and missing somthing

[mrdennis]

will a 97 fleetwood bounder 34 footer have plenty of brakeing power if towing a 4000 lb car .

[2Bargos]

Originally Posted by Jwar

A friend had an air issue, (leaking diaphragm inside the air chamber) and he purchased a box of air chambers and getting ready to change them all out, asked me to help him, glad he did, he didn't know how to cage the maxi pot, and that can ruin your whole day LOL

Being that his RV was only ten years old, asked why he wanted to change all cylinder's. Said he read it on the net (not this site) to change out all air hoses cylinders and valves at ten years or at the first air leak.

Being I'm a retired diesel machinist and heavy equipment mechanic I have never heard of this ten year replacement, ???

The short of the story we changed out all the hats ( for his comfort zone )and soap tested the complete air system and changed out one hose due to abrasion.

Don't get me wrong here if your comfort level is to spend the big bucks for your comfort level, do it.

Perhaps Im old a frugal and missing somthing

Some years back I owned three Tandem mack coal trucks.we called the hats "pancakes" it wasnt uncommon to replace a couple a year on the three trucks but we never replaced them all at one time.

I understand your friends logic ,if one was bad due to age then the rest cant be far behind.On my trucks I had some that we never had to replace and others that we did.

Me personally
Other than normal maintence,i'm a firm believer in "if it aint broke,dont fix it"

[Jwar]

Originally Posted by 96bounder

Me personally
Other than normal maintence,i'm a firm believer in "if it aint broke,dont fix it"

I feel the same as you, drove a low boy for several years and was a diesel mechanic for more decades then I care to count LOL.

His DP had 73000 miles on and he had bought all new brake chambers being he read that was the proper way, to change all out due to an air leak.

So I removed the chamber that was leaking and tore it apart and there was no wear on the piston rod / bushing, replaced the diaphragm and then replaced the rest of them for his piece of mind, showed him how to cage the maxi and he caged the other one the other one.

He saved a bundle getting his money back for all the new cylinder's and he has a few extra spare diaphragms for a quick roadside repair for the future now.

Did enjoy helping him but he was very hard headed about it. But when he talked to the parts and service manager at the trucks shop he came around and exchanged all the clys for diaphragms.

I kind of believe if he read that all DP drivers should have a yearly triple bypass, he would get two LOL Just kidding he is a great guy and glad I could help him

[gruelens]

Originally Posted by mrdennis

will a 97 fleetwood bounder 34 footer have plenty of brakeing power if towing a 4000 lb car .

kinda' hijacking this thread but here is my thoughts ...... first check what your fleetwood is rated to tow ...... if 4K is within limits you should be OK ...... however you MUST have a braking system for the car to be safe, and legal in most areas