Airing Grievances

Topic: Airing Grievances (Read 1584 times) previous topic - next topic

Airing Grievances

October 08, 2017, 06:50:36 pm

I was getting the coach ready for a big road trip, yesterday. When I ran the engine and attached to the air in the propane bay, I couldn't seem to get the pressure I needed. I think I read in a past post that we can't use the on board compressor to top off the tires. Why, then , did FOT install the connection??!!

I then got my shop compressor that I use for nail guns etc, and IT didn't seem to have the power to top off the tires even set at 120 lbs!!!

I later got to a truck stop which had a pay for air station. $1.50 for five minutes. Problem was that the hose was too short, and with the toad I would have had to turn the coach around to get to the drivers side. Decided to pass.

I could't use standard gas stations because I wasn't sure that they had the dual head for the rear tires. I , unfortunately, have the kind of valve that goes back into the inside of the wheel at the rear tires. I HATE THEM. I hope I can change them out at a later date.

I was forced to drive five hours without the proper pressure that I was hoping to have in all tires. VERY unnerving.

So.......the question is......how do YOU fill your tires when you are on the road?? I bought a portable dc unit from Harbor Freight, but I don't think it will do the trick. Any help you offer is appreciated.

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #1 – October 08, 2017, 06:56:27 pm

Do a search for "aux air compressor"

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #2 – October 08, 2017, 06:59:48 pm

Other with more experience will certainly comment, but my understanding is we have to be careful to only use dry air to fill the tires. On our 03, the air hose connection is plumbed into air line #87 which is fed by both the rear brake air tank and the HWH/auxiliary air system. If both your air production drying systems (the dryer for the main engine compressor and the water trap/desiccant container for the HWH/aux compressor) are producing good dry air, I don't see the issue with using the air for tires.

I'm new. Let's see what the big guns say.

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #3 – October 08, 2017, 07:01:35 pm

Quote

.how do YOU fill your tires when you are on the road?

Some of us carry a little 120vac compressor (I used to when we had a 40 footer). Others dial up their D-2 air governor so the air pressure when at its maximum is high enough to top off a tire.
jor

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #4 – October 08, 2017, 07:10:37 pm

I replaced my D2 valve with a 130 psi valve so I can use dry air to adjust tire pressures. But I only need about 90 psi at my weighed axle loads. Weigh your loaded coach wheels or at least your loaded axles, and then check with tire manf. for proper fill pressure. They will probably be less than what is stamped on tire, or the data plate pressures.

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #5 – October 08, 2017, 07:13:21 pm

I do mine easily.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDOqCk6dTuo

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #6 – October 08, 2017, 07:15:41 pm

We use a Viair 450P 12-volt continuous duty air compressor. I added an air drier to it. Hooks up to the coach batteries. I couldn't stand the limited capability of the built in air compressor and having to run the engine to use it.

The added benefit is that we use it to air the tires back up on the Jeep after trail riding.

Chris

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #7 – October 08, 2017, 07:17:42 pm

I used the air connection on the coach to air up the tires. I had the d-2 set for a little over 125 and it would pump the front tires to 120. I would pump one front tire to 120 and it took a while and when the air dryer popped off the tire would be 120 then would air the rear tires to what they needed, which was not as much and when I heard the compressor kick back on would air the other front tire. worked for me and my hose was long enough to be able to air up the toads tires also.

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #8 – October 08, 2017, 08:08:06 pm

Here is an old post of mine that might help

Airing up the tires with coach air

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #9 – October 08, 2017, 08:48:08 pm

I know this sounds silly.....where would I find the D2 to adjust?? I have read that you can kick it up to 135 lbs??

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #10 – October 08, 2017, 09:25:06 pm

Quote from: GleamB – October 08, 2017, 08:48:08 pm

I know this sounds silly.....where would I find the D2 to adjust?? I have read that you can kick it up to 135 lbs??

Somebody with a newer U320 will tell you where to find the governor. Once you locate it, study the links below to understand how it works and how to adjust it.

http://www.plazafleetparts.com/uploads/2/1/9/0/2190100/d-2_governor_maintenance.pdf

Governor

Once you have your air system pressure dialed up, you should get a "straight-in / straight-out" air chuck. Makes doing the rear duals a snap!

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #11 – October 08, 2017, 09:45:17 pm

I had the same issues with the rear so I swapped the valve stems to the short style on the outer rears. They can be turned back through the hole if you want to swap then to the front later. The keeper nut is on the outside .
Running the D2 up to more pressure is also an option and it should build enough to fill the tires to 100#, but also will make more leaks and result in more heat /shorter lifspan.IMHO . The dash gauge will need to read about 125 +-
Maybe a "harbour freight" little pancake deal will help, get the lifetime warranty .

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #12 – October 08, 2017, 10:01:47 pm

You should weigh each corner of your coach and set the air pressure for each axle accordingly. If you have load range H tires then you could go to 120 psi cold if your weight indicates that it is necessary but your front axle load rating is 13,880 as I recall and for a Michelin 275/80R22.5 LRH that is about 115 psi.

The small aux compressor is good for 110 psi max at pretty low volume. It is really not going to inflate your tires effectively. The engine driven compressor typically runs between 90 and 110, sometimes adjusted a bit higher. If you are trying to inflate a tire to 115 then you are working at an upper level of capability.

My red pancake compressor is rated for 135 psi. It will air up tires but is slow. My Dewalt compressor that I bring with is quieter, lighter, is effective at 150 psi and does the job much faster. You can add a compartment to the rear dr side to carry it.

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #13 – October 08, 2017, 10:15:09 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – October 08, 2017, 10:01:47 pm

You should weigh each corner of your coach and set the air pressure for each axle accordingly. If you have load range H tires then you could go to 120 psi cold if your weight indicates that it is necessary but your front axle load rating is 13,880 as I recall and for a Michelin 275/80R22.5 LRH that is about 115 psi.

The small aux compressor is good for 110 psi max at pretty low volume. It is really not going to inflate your tires effectively. The engine driven compressor typically runs between 90 and 110, sometimes adjusted a bit higher. If you are trying to inflate a tire to 115 then you are working at an upper level of capability.

My red pancake compressor is rated for 135 psi. It will air up tires but is slow. My Dewalt compressor that I bring with is quieter, lighter, is effective at 150 psi and does the job much faster. You can add a compartment to the rear dr side to carry it.

Roger, I am guessing you did the resonator mod and put the compressor in the old muffler space, if so, an excellent idea. Think I will do the same.

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #14 – October 08, 2017, 10:31:38 pm

Jim, I still have the OEM exhaust system. Some day it will get replaced but in the 2001 a new storage bay fit quite nicely. It might fit in yours too. It is very handy space.

A New Storage Bay

Roger

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #15 – October 09, 2017, 12:28:37 am

I carry a 150psi porter cable compressor. It not only works good for airing the tires, but blowing out water lines for winterizing and it saved my butt when the air drier failed and I ended up on the side of the road with 40psi and all my compressor air pouring out of the purge port. I screwed two male quick connects together and plumbed the compressor into the RV aux air hose and let the porter cable compressor backfeed the RV air tanks so I could finish my trip. It ran continuously but it got me 100 miles home and still works just fine. I carry an air drier to catch moisture that works well. I got it from an auto parts store that had a body/paint department. It is a Sharpe 6950. Has a regulator built in to lower pressure for tasks like winterizing, or crank it wide open to quickly fill tires.

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #16 – October 09, 2017, 12:31:38 am

No non dry air....

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #17 – October 09, 2017, 09:33:49 am

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – October 08, 2017, 10:01:47 pm

My Dewalt compressor that I bring with is quieter, lighter, is effective at 150 psi and does the job much faster.

Roger, is that a Dewalt DWFP55130 model?

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #18 – October 09, 2017, 09:47:48 am

George Hatfield carried an auxiliary tank of highly compressed air with him to keep his tires inflated. He would fill the tank before each trip, and never had to worry! Portable, easily stored, easy-peasy to carry around with you to each tire location and get the job done. After they sold their Foretravel, we borrowed the unit from him from time to time and , man ... great solution! If you run Nitrogen in your tires, you don't have to worry about looking for a spot that carries it. The tanks are fairly pricey ... but .....

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #19 – October 09, 2017, 10:07:33 am

Search the forum for air pressure booster (doubler) It uses a small air pressure driven compressor that effectively doubles air pressure. I bought mine on eBay, and can double my 120psi system air to 240 if I want to.

I can top off my front tires to 120psi very quickly now, often without starting the engine. Before, the best I could do was 116 with the big engine running and frequent bleeding of D2 air so the compressor would kick back in.

I showed my doubler at the California Motorcade rally last year, and will bring it again this year and to Quartzsite if anyone wants to see it. It always travels in the coach.

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #20 – October 09, 2017, 10:17:52 am

I've used an air pressure booster for years. It is small and works well. My other coach used 130 lbs on the front tires. They were 315/80s.

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #21 – October 09, 2017, 10:19:35 am

Quote from: Carol Savournin – October 09, 2017, 09:47:48 am

If you run Nitrogen in your tires, you don't have to worry about looking for a spot that carries it. The tanks are fairly pricey...

Power Tank - - Powertank.com

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #22 – October 09, 2017, 10:32:40 am

There is an adjustment on the D2 Governor , right on top, Its back ass ward, use screwdriver to turn COUNTER clockwise to raise pressure.
Checking your tires every day is a waste of time, and every time you use a gauge you let some air out. Bumping tires will tell you if pressure is low, most have TPMS systems also.
This old fart checked his tires before each trip and bumped them at fuel stops and in many years and three FT's never had a problem. In fact I only ever had one flat tire and never a blowout.
I applaud all who are conscientious about tires and other maintenance but the whole point of Motorhoming is to travel and have fun, not obsess over little things.
I am now off my soapbox.
Gary B

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #23 – October 09, 2017, 11:27:49 am

I had one of the air pressure doublers with our first Foretravel. Unfortunately, I sold it when we sold our coach. Can't remember the brand name, came in it's own box & holder. As I recall, they sold for about $350+. Sure wish I had kept it - very useful.

Re: Airing Grievances

Reply #24 – October 09, 2017, 11:41:52 am

Quote from: Bill & Kim – October 09, 2017, 11:27:49 am

I had one of the air pressure doublers with our first Foretravel. Unfortunately, I sold it when we sold our coach. Can't remember the brand name, came in it's own box & holder. As I recall, they sold for about $350+. Sure wish I had kept it - very useful.

SMC air booster? Cruzer (aka Mark Quasius) on iRV2 has some good info

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