Community Forums

Dougjpr · 02-28-2018, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jelag

One last thought.. even though you have an air dryer... its important to regularly open the drains on the tanks and empty any water... for 2 reasons... the first, which is most important is that water in the tank limits the ability of the air system to provide air for braking.. and the second is the air in the tanks will allow for rust to start and shorten the life of the tanks...

The above mentioned tests are great... but remember that CDL drivers are required to drain those tanks daily... and those tanks have a snap valve, you just pull the cord and they will spit out the water.. and than the valve snaps closed.

Thanks for info.
Only had coach since April 2017, 1 season of use.
Has the automatic moisture ejectors. Did hit the manual drain once last year, got nothing from any of the tanks. Will be adding a tank drain to my monthly check. According to chassis manual, with auto moisture ejectors they only need to be checked as part of routine maintenance.

Thanks for the info

Bigd9 · 02-28-2018, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jelag

One last thought.. even though you have an air dryer... its important to regularly open the drains on the tanks and empty any water... for 2 reasons... the first, which is most important is that water in the tank limits the ability of the air system to provide air for braking.. and the second is the air in the tanks will allow for rust to start and shorten the life of the tanks...

The above mentioned tests are great... but remember that CDL drivers are required to drain those tanks daily... and those tanks have a snap valve, you just pull the cord and they will spit out the water.. and than the valve snaps closed.

Speaking of air dryer, has yours been changed recently? Very important and they are due about once every 3 years. Not all that hard to do if you want to tackle it.

Dutch Star Don · 02-28-2018, 07:35 PM

"Dougjpr".....I commend you for doing such a thorough brake check before driving each day. I've had a DP for almost 15 years and have never done what you do. I'm not criticizing your procedure, but I feel by the time my coach airs up, my gauges get to their normal setting, the parking brake works/releases and my pedal is working appropriately, I'm good to go.

I know my coach well and how it should act under various conditions.

With all that said, brake check areas were installed in most mountain passes MANY years ago. Since that time, brakes have come along way in stopping power, quality and reliability. I think most trucks using the brake check area are using it for other purposes, like tightening down their load, taking a break or updating their log. We travel a lot and climb a lot of grades out west. I can't recall the last time I actually saw a trucker checking his brakes.

Dougjpr · 03-01-2018, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

"Dougjpr".....I commend you for doing such a thorough brake check before driving each day. I've had a DP for almost 15 years and have never done what you do. I'm not criticizing your procedure, but I feel by the time my coach airs up, my gauges get to their normal setting, the parking brake works/releases and my pedal is working appropriately, I'm good to go.

I know my coach well and how it should act under various conditions.

With all that said, brake check areas were installed in most mountain passes MANY years ago. Since that time, brakes have come along way in stopping power, quality and reliability. I think most trucks using the brake check area are using it for other purposes, like tightening down their load, taking a break or updating their log. We travel a lot and climb a lot of grades out west. I can't recall the last time I actually saw a trucker checking his brakes.

Perhaps it’s a bit more than most but you have to go with what you feel comfortable with. Having just about flipped a pop up years ago, due to a huge lack of knowledge, I’ve learned so much and tend to err on the safety side.

Not in any way questioning or criticizing anyone’s set up or pre trip process.

Was more concerned that there was something I was missing or should be doing. Kinda goes back to that pant soiling day 14 years ago and never wanting to be in that spot again