Re: Air problem today Reply #25 – March 03, 2020, 03:01:00 pm Quote from: John Haygarth – March 03, 2020, 02:45:14 pmJust an update on the old issue. I am really glad I decided to try and find problem before carrying on with the drive. I now know that we would have not got very far before it completely broke and a big loss of air.JohnHTime for the scolding.You should have called it quits as soon as the pressure dropped.Why?Never mind who might have been injured because of your inability to stop your coach. After the inevitable collision, do you really think the insurance adjuster doesn't know where to look first in a loss of air, brake failure?That would mean your claim being denied. Quote Selected 4 Likes
Re: Air problem today Reply #26 – March 03, 2020, 03:45:52 pm Quote from: Old Toolmaker – March 03, 2020, 03:01:00 pmTime for the scolding.You should have called it quits as soon as the pressure dropped.Why?Never mind who might have been injured because of your inability to stop your coach. After the inevitable collision, do you really think the insurance adjuster doesn't know where to look first in a loss of air, brake failure?That would mean your claim being denied.The spring brakes come on long before the inability to stop the coach. Look at the skid marks on the Freeways from trucks brakes locking up. Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Air problem today Reply #27 – March 03, 2020, 05:12:12 pm Quote from: craneman – March 03, 2020, 03:45:52 pmThe spring brakes come on long before the inability to stop the coach. Look at the skid marks on the Freeways from trucks brakes locking up. We can overpower the spring brakes on the driven wheels at high idle. Trailer brakes are not being driven.Driving with the cruise control on, as the air pressure comes down you might not notice the drag of the spring brakes before they are too hot to do anything at all. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Air problem today Reply #28 – March 03, 2020, 05:17:28 pm Do you have metallic disc brakes in the rear? The hotter they get the better they stop. I can override my parking brake in reverse when cold with idle, when hot no way. And remember the low air alarm is there to help you know what is going on. Quote Selected
Re: Air problem today Reply #29 – March 03, 2020, 06:11:25 pm John. Coveralls and sandals,, that's the way I roll too. 🙂 Quote Selected
Re: Air problem today Reply #30 – March 03, 2020, 08:04:36 pm Quote from: craneman – March 03, 2020, 05:17:28 pmDo you have metallic disc brakes in the rear? The hotter they get the better they stop. I can override my parking brake in reverse when cold with idle, when hot no way. And remember the low air alarm is there to help you know what is going on.The U225 has four wheel drums and self adjusting wedge brakes. They require about the same number of different lubricants as a watch. But they too work better when warm. Quote Selected
Re: Air problem today Reply #31 – March 03, 2020, 08:46:52 pm From 5 mph, application of the spring brake should stop the coach right at 2 seconds. We also tested in first gear at 2-300 rpm above idle. Some would hold, others not. Applying at 55 mph slows the vehicle but not in a great hurry.If the brakes get hot, applying the spring brake won't do much at all. Watch the air pressure and if the low air light comes on, stop immediately. Waiting and then applying the spring brake is asking for a big accident.Everyone should try it cold, warm and at higher speeds just so they know what to expect in an emergency.I lost brakes descending a steep mountain road above Malibu fighting a major brush fire. This was in first gear with no loss of air pressure. Application of the spring brake did absolutely nothing. I had to put the right side of the truck into the dirt shoulder to get it stopped. Every time i'm at the crest of a steep grade, I not only downshift but glance at the air pressure. If I have to use the service brakes, I keep a close eye on the air pressure. If you have an air leak and pressure is building slower than it would normally, using the service brakes descending a grade may reduce air pressure faster than the air compressor can build it. Pierce Quote Selected 4 Likes
Re: Air problem today Reply #32 – March 03, 2020, 09:14:52 pm Drums expand with heat that was the main reason for the runaway ramps on steep grades back when they were used. The slack adjuster only gives the stroke of the cylinder, can't be pumped up like hydraulic brakes. When real hot the drums diameter will exceed the stroke of the brake can if the adjustment cold is more than 2" the highway patrol checks the adjustment whenever you get pulled over with a commercial vehicle. Not a problem with disc brakes, if the rotor expands the brakes get tighter. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Air problem today Reply #33 – March 03, 2020, 09:27:45 pm Lesson learned for sure but I was able to control the coach all the time and should the total loss have happened I was watching everything just so I could pull off, but I hear youJohnH Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Air problem today Reply #34 – March 04, 2020, 10:04:17 pm Lucky me on this trip as we got a broken windscreen today. Ah well my deductible is only $50JohnH Quote Selected 1 Likes
Topic: Air problem today