GrampaKoot
Fruitvale BC Can
Full Member
Joined: 05/24/2004
View Profile
 Offline
|
While having a happy hour chat here at the Los Mangos RV Park in Bucerias Mexico, someone asked me when I last changed my Air Brake Dryer Filter....duh...I didn't even know I had one so guess what the answer was. Apperently due to the high humidity along coastal Mexico the filter should be changed yearly.
Well Ive been crawling underneath (not easy for this fat boy) my 1998 Allegro Bus trying to find the blasted thing. It certainly isn't rearward from back wheels.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
GrampaKoot says...la vida es corta para añejar el vino
|
steveownby
Cosby, TN
Senior Member
Joined: 09/23/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
If you call the chassis builder (Freightliner or Spartan) with your chassis vin number they should be able to tell you the location and brand as well as the parts you need. Tiffin can probably give you the same info.
I had a '97 coach and the air dryer was just in front of the drive axle on the passenger side, in the wheel well.
Steve Ownby
2003 Monaco Signature
Full-time since 2007
|
flyswamper
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 04/20/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Close your eyes and trust the force Luke!
Ok, well.... maybe your ears instead of "the force" but.....
You should be able to just use your ears to locate the dryer. Hit the brakes a few times to bleed off the air pressure enough that your air compressor kicks in and starts repressuring the system. Then hop out of the coach and listen for the sudden release of air pressure which occurs as your system reaches max pressure again. That spurt of blowing air is coming from your dryer. If you park on a dirt/gravel surface you could probably spot exactly where it is just by looking for the little puff of dust that gets kicked up from air leaving the dryer.
Constructive disagreement is encouraged. It is how I/we learn!
Dad,Mom, & 3 young'ns
Current Home (Calgary)
|
Gsmitty77
San Diego
Senior Member
Joined: 10/09/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
Yep, probably due for a change... if you search here and on a few other boards, you will find info on Brake Filter cartridge change intervals.
I just changed mine on our 04 era coach (Country Coach, so can't help you on locating yours.). Though I had no moisture showing anywhere at anytime as I released the air on my normal check things schedule.
For me, I've concluded that as long as no moisture is found during these checks, that I'm going to a every four year swap out schedule.
Each rig can be different, so come to your own time schedule conclusion.
Arm chair Happy Hour is not supposed to be for maintenance review!!!!
Have fun, be safe,
Smitty
|
chastho
arkansas
Senior Member
Joined: 07/27/2005
View Profile
|
Are you getting any moisture in the air tanks?? The dryer will spit every so often to eject moisture, when the filter gets saturated it will every few minutes. If you don't have a problem with any of the above I wouldnt worry about changing it.
|
|
|
rvrepairnut
bc
Senior Member
Joined: 11/11/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
chastho wrote:Are you getting any moisture in the air tanks?? The dryer will spit every so often to eject moisture, when the filter gets saturated it will every few minutes. If you don't have a problem with any of the above I wouldnt worry about changing it.
exactly what I said earlier about checking the tanks
The air dryer will spit every few minutes when sitting idleing no matter if there,s moisture or not.It automaticaly purges
|
GrampaKoot
Fruitvale BC Can
Full Member
Joined: 05/24/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Thank you everyone...you are all very helpful. Like for so many others, once again this forum comes though for me.
Being from BC I had to take a 3 day air brake course before obtaining licence plates for my motorhome in 2009. I reall paying particular attention to the moisture issue and was reassured by the tecks giving the course that all was automatic on mine. I think they fell a bit short however in not recommending that I put filter change it on my routine safety checklist.
I am not getting any air release other than the release once pressure is built up.
I will do the listening trick to find the filter on my next startup.
Thanks once again.
|
Big Katuna
Deland, FL
Senior Member
Joined: 12/27/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Its usually a little in front of the rear axle.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
|
wolfe10
Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 10/08/2000
View Profile
Offline
|
chastho wrote:Are you getting any moisture in the air tanks?? The dryer will spit every so often to eject moisture, when the filter gets saturated it will every few minutes. If you don't have a problem with any of the above I wouldnt worry about changing it.
This is not quite how they work.
Dryers "Purge" the moisture from the filter medium each time the CUT-OUT PSI is reached. It has nothing to do with moisture content-- they do not monitor that.
And I would strongly suggest not waiting for the filter to completely fail and allow water and/or oil into the air brake and air suspension system before changing the dryer. Every 3-4 years is adequate for the number of miles most RV'ers do.
Least expensive quality way to do it is to buy a factory remanufactured dryer (read that the factory that manufactured the dryer, NOT an aftermarket rebuild that may use components from overseas of dubious quality).
If Bendix, use only Bendix reman. If Midland, only Midland reman, etc. Sometimes packaging makes it difficult to tell. If a question, contact your dryer manufacturer to make sure you get the proper one.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
FMCA Forum: www.community.fmca.com/index
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
|
