Stranded in Georgia

[Roland Trombley]

Posted: 01/08/22 08:07am Link | Quote | Edit | Print | Notify Moderator
We are on our way to Florida in our 99 American Dream diesel with 43000 miles.
After pulling off of I75 in Cleveland, TN for a rest break, I lost pressure to my air brakes.
A local tech was sent out by Good Sam, who looked everything over and said I had been on the brakes too much and I should continue on my way (I'm trying to make this brief).
So we drove another 89 miles to our overnight destination in Acworth,GA.
While maneuvering in the campground my brakes locked up from low air pressure and it took me an hour to build up enough pressure to move it into our space. A mobile service came and found a deteriorated filter in the air dryer, which was to have been checked by a service garage before we left on our trip. They also determined that the governor was defective and replaced it.
When testing it out it first appeared to be working perfectly, with pressure building to 125 very quickly. But after several cycles of test braking, the pressures failed to recover past 60 pounds.
So they checked further and found an issue with a sticking unloder in the compressor. They were unable to get a new compressor until late next week, at which time they had already scheduled work with their regular truck customers. So they did not bill me for the parts, and their labor rate was very reasonable.
Now I am faced with the prospect of having it towed, possibly to a Campers Inn service location nearby (6 miles).
I'm debating whether or not to attempt to drive it there in order to avoid towing. I'm more concerned about potential towing damage to my pristine old motorhome than I am about the cost of towing.
Does anyone have any thoughts they would care to offer?
Thanks in advance.

[Old Scout]

Have no idea how it would work with your rig, but have heard of folks using a regular air compressor to build/maintain air pressure thru a service/tire fill port on the rig, to allow them to get to a service shop??????

[TandW]

This sounds like a good place for someone knowledgeable to chime in about possibly using a portable compressor and a tap of some sort to get this guy going.

[ga traveler]

I was a service manager for 15 years. I have horror stories of towing motorhomes. I would never tow my motorhome unless there is no other choice.

[BigEvi]

There should be a compressor port on the front of the coach somewhere. It's what tow truck drivers tap into to put pressure in the brake system for towing.

-E

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by ga traveler

I was a service manager for 15 years. I have horror stories of towing motorhomes. I would never tow my motorhome unless there is no other choice.

Good advice!


And, whoever said: "A local tech was sent out by Good Sam, who looked everything over and said I had been on the brakes too much and I should continue on my way." should be locked up! Unless you are "fanning" you brakes for minutes at a time, you air compressor should be well more than capable of keeping up with demand.


And letting the air dryer service go until the "filter deteriorated" will likely end up being very costly, as the desiccant (white powder in most cases) can migrate through your air system and clog any number of check valves, ride height valves, etc.

[TandW]

Originally Posted by BigEvi

There should be a compressor port on the front of the coach somewhere. It's what tow truck drivers tap into to put pressure in the brake system for towing.

-E

What does the port accept?

[GMONEY1]

At least on my log truck they have a quick connect at the air tank.i also have seen then tap into the compressor.

[TandW]

Originally Posted by GMONEY1

At least on my log truck they have a quick connect at the air tank.i also have seen then tap into the compressor.

So is this for a shop style air hose or for the truckers ABS hoses?

[Iceclimber]

Safety first. Just imagine the worst case scenario and ask yourself if that's worth the price of a tow.

[Roland Trombley]

I have hose with a standard male air quick connect fitting, but it does not fit the female quick release on my motorhome

[cadillac_al]

I would have to be more familiar with your air brakes before making that decision. Won't it still move with 60 lbs of pressure? How low was the air pressure when it locked up at the campground? If it could build up 60 lbs and still move, I would chance it and drive nice and slow and try not to use the brakes as much as possible. If you have to brake for something then pull to the right in case you have to wait for pressure to build up again. 6 miles might be manageable, I don't know if I would go 20 miles.

[TandW]

Originally Posted by Roland Trombley

I have hose with a standard male air quick connect fitting, but it does not fit the female quick release on my motorhome

That figures. Someone needs to chime in with the conversion parts necessary to get you going. Hope you have a pancake compressor onboard already.

[Old Scout]

....my experience it that there are three kinds of quick-connect air fittings: auto, commercial, and universal. Auto and mechanical don't mix, the universal will? Think most air brake systems are 125 max so need to adjust portable compressor according, I would think....you would also need a male to male hose connect...