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Water and Air Brake System

On my 95 u240, there are two(2) small pitcocks at the center front of the MH under the bumper.  I open these all the time(thinking this is how to drain the water from air brake system),  but nothing comes out except air.  Where and how do you keep water out of the air brake system?

Pat,
Pat/Blue Angel
1995 U240 36ft
MC# 16511
Build# 4653

Re: Water and Air Brake System

Reply #1 –
Pat

You keep water out of the air system at the air dryer.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Water and Air Brake System

Reply #2 –
Yes, those tank drains are only the "report card" for the AIR DRYER.  If the dryer fails, you will see oil, water or worse case white powder (denigrated desiccant) from the drains. Said another way, you should never get anything but clean air from them. 

Note: Air dryers DO require rebuilding/replacing every couple of years.  The damage that can be caused to the brake and suspension system by desiccant getting in all the valves, etc can be significant.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Water and Air Brake System

Reply #3 –
Brett,
Are they on the U225 also, I have never noticed them.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Water and Air Brake System

Reply #4 –
Yes, but the drains, as I recall on your model they are just behind the front bumper near the center-- basically just ball valves with hose coming from the bottom of the tank, not lanyards.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Water and Air Brake System

Reply #5 –
Thanks.  Never saw them there. Will have to hunt it out now.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Water and Air Brake System

Reply #6 –
Our rear wet air tank has a bottom hose that leads to a valve near the rear street side tire, like most Foretravels.

Our two front brake air tanks have drain valves on the bottom of the tanks. And to drain our front tanks, I have to crawl under coach and turn each valve. We do not have front 'remote' valves like on the rear tank.

Re: Water and Air Brake System

Reply #7 –
The air dryer captures water and oil in the air from the air compressor.  When the air system reaches full pressure the compressor cuts out and the air dryer spits it out, the air noise you hear when that happens.  Some moisture gets past the dryer and condenses in the tanks mainly the first tank called the wet tank.  On many, maybe most FT's  the drain is at the left rear wheel.  It's important to keep moisture out of the air brake system during freezing weather as ice in a line can cause a loss of the ability to stop.  One is supposed to drain the wet tank at the end of a days driving.  Most of the time just a little water spray comes out if the dryer is working properly. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Water and Air Brake System

Reply #8 –
As a note, our 93 U225 had only two tanks with the front drains.  We did not have a "wet tank" at the rear.  Our 98 U295 does have the "wet tank" with the drain valve at the rear wheel.  These coach do vary by model and year.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Water and Air Brake System

Reply #9 –
Our 91 GV does not have a wet tank.  The two air storage tanks are forward and as previously mentioned, you have to crawl under the front end to drain them.  Has anyone done a modification to extend these drain valves out to where you can get to them??  Thanks and have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: Water and Air Brake System

Reply #10 –
Fritz,

Yes, in fact, Foretravel extended the drains (at least by the 1993 model year on Gran Villas) to just behind the front bumper-- no need to crawl under.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Water and Air Brake System

Reply #11 –
my 1993 U300 is still in front of left rear tires.
It had drain valves for each tank upfront.
I removed them and installed pneumatic quick disconnects, stll have to go under, but using blow gun to drain both tanks at same time
1993 U300, 6v92
build 4366
USAF retired, Flight Engineer, C124, C130
 ATP, A & E.  & ex AI

Re: Water and Air Brake System

Reply #12 –
Brett  ----  Did FT use pipe extensions or did they use a high pressure air hose??  Just wondering about flexibility and anchoring to the frame.  Thanks and have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'
 

Re: Water and Air Brake System

Reply #13 –
Hose, not pipe.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020