Air Brakes on 33.2

[Mean1255]

I have been reading information on air brakes testing and have question on maintenance piece. Has anyone completely drained their air tanks? I know there is a valve to do so but not sure when or if it has to be emptied while it is automatic system. I was going to drive my unit by a nearby Freightliner Dealership and ask but it is about an hour away and thought good idea to start discussion here first.

Anyone out there with knowledge to assist this newbie?

[TheArnolds]

Originally Posted by Mean1255

I have been reading information on air brakes testing and have question on maintenance piece. Has anyone completely drained their air tanks? I know there is a valve to do so but not sure when or if it has to be emptied while it is automatic system. I was going to drive my unit by a nearby Freightliner Dealership and ask but it is about an hour away and thought good idea to start discussion here first.

Anyone out there with knowledge to assist this newbie?

Not necessary to drain the tanks daily like days of old. However you should pull 3 lanyards located in the front wheel wells, 2 on one side and one on the other. This should be done every 6 months. Your system also has an air dryer and automatic moisture ejector to help reduce/eliminate moisture in your air system. I included a quote from Freightliner located on page 31 of "Knowing Your Freightliner Chassis Seminar" which can be found at the following URL: Owner Information

"Freightliner chassis are equipped, as standard equipment, with a heated automatic moisture ejector on the wet tank in addition to one built into the air dryer. This eliminates the need to climb under the coach to drain air and water from the tanks daily. You still must pull all three drain lanyards for 10 to 15 seconds every 6 months to drain moisture. A fine mist is normal due to condensation. If a large amount of moisture is present it should be completely drained and the air dryer serviced. Moisture in the braking system can cause brake system failure and is not covered by the manufacturer warranty."

[TheArnolds]

I see you are from Austin, TX. We have friends that have a vacation home in Lago Vista and we plan on wintering west of Austin starting in October and we will be staying at LaHacienda RV Park near Lake Travis.

This is a fact finding visit to see if we want to buy something in Texas for our winter destination. We tried Florida last winter and it did not appeal to us for a variety of reasons.

[Mean1255]

Great information, thanks! I can't locate best way to get into engine compartment to look over lines, hoses, and belts. Have you found an easy access?

[photoguy1313]

Originally Posted by Mean1255

Great information, thanks! I can't locate best way to get into engine compartment to look over lines, hoses, and belts. Have you found an easy access?

Best access is on a creeper underneath the rear of the coach with a bright flashlight - an inspection mirror on a telescoping wand helps a lot, too.

Norb

[Mean1255]

That is how I've been checking, but it is extremely difficult to get a good "feel" on those belts from that position. Good idea on the mirror! Thanks again for your quick reply.

[Mean1255]

Ok, I just came from the 33.2 searching for the Drain Lanyards and failed. Please describe where I can locate the 3 manual drain lanyards.

Thanks

[TheArnolds]

Originally Posted by Mean1255

Ok, I just came from the 33.2 searching for the Drain Lanyards and failed. Please describe where I can locate the 3 manual drain lanyards.

Thanks

They are sticking through the chassis frame. Behind the front tires. You may need to turn the tire hard right/left to see and access. I fashioned a hook from a hot dog roster to make it easy to reach in and pull the lanyards.

[BFlinn181]

It might also be easier to find the lanyards by crawling underneath and tracing lanyards from the valves located on the bottom of each tank to their anchor points. That gives you a better idea of the layout of your air system and how it looks when everything is O.K.

[TheArnolds]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

It might also be easier to find the lanyards by crawling underneath and tracing lanyards from the valves located on the bottom of each tank to their anchor points. That gives you a better idea of the layout of your air system and how it looks when everything is O.K.

Thanks for the recommendation but the Palazzo sits too low to the ground to crawl underneath without extending the jacks to max and placing jack stands for safety.

Freightliner places the lanyards in the same place as I stated in my previous post on all Palazzo chassis and are easy to access if you know exactly where to look.

[Tony Lee]

Lanyards may be in the bins immediately to the rear of the front wheels - saddled high up on the front wall. Just a loop of 2mm steel cable.

[TheArnolds]

Originally Posted by Tony Lee

Lanyards may be in the bins immediately to the rear of the front wheels - saddled high up on the front wall. Just a loop of 2mm steel cable.

Not on the Thor Palazzo...

[Mean1255]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

It might also be easier to find the lanyards by crawling underneath and tracing lanyards from the valves located on the bottom of each tank to their anchor points. That gives you a better idea of the layout of your air system and how it looks when everything is O.K.

I did locate two of the lanyards. Length of thin cable coming from wall inside tire? I found them once I turned the front wheels. I only found two however, one on each side? I thought there were three?

[Luvrkds]

Originally Posted by Mean1255

I did locate two of the lanyards. Length of thin cable coming from wall inside tire? I found them once I turned the front wheels. I only found two however, one on each side? I thought there were three?

I agree that I also also only found one on each side. Perhaps there are three on the larger units. Camp Freightliner did say three..

Bill