| Lost air pressure - Isolation valves to the rescue [message #256193] |
Wed, 23 July 2014 02:16  |
George B.
Messages: 213
Registered: February 2012
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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My two coaches have been parked at Sams Town in Las Vegas for about a month now awaiting their new home. Moved one today and lost air pressure in the rear suspension. The compressor was still running but my gauge showed only 20 lbs pressure. An air line of fitting must have failed. Luckily the previous owner had installed the air bag isolator kit. Pulled over to a gas station to pump up the bags. The rear was almost on the ground so getting the air hose with its pressure gauge & control to air bags was a problem. I was thinking I would have to remove the T-skirts or jack the coach up (oops did not have a jack on board) to get better access to the valves. As the temp was in the 100s did not want to do any additional work so gave it another try and finally managed to get air in one bag. With one side raised was able to reach the other side but still difficult. Those isolator valves were a life saver but darn hard to get to with the body lowered and the tires in the way. This experience taught me the value of those valves so I need to put a set on my other coach ASAP! (and make sure the jack is on board)
Question, does anyone sell a short-flexible extension hose that could be screwed onto the isolation valve when needed. Once attached, the hose would need to extend out beyond the tires to allow hook up to a bulky gas station air hose? Such a hose could be attached even in the very cramped space as described above.
Hummm, my Viair compressor was working so what have others done to tap into it in such a situation with an air-line failure in between?
George Butts
Las Vegas Nevada
73 "Custom 26' Q" & 76 23' Birchaven
71 Honda 600 Coupe & 01 Tracker Toads
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| Re: Lost air pressure - Isolation valves to the rescue [message #256195 is a reply to message #256193] |
Wed, 23 July 2014 05:42  |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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My PO left a small 12 volt compressed in the coach. The power coward had been modified to lengthen it so the tires and air bags could be reached when plugged into the cig lighter. I think you can get a decent one for $50 to $100. Having been an RV and off road enthusiast for many years, I have always carried an old bicycle pump in the RV or motorcycle trailer. Used it many times in a pinch. I have one in the GMC. You don't need electricity to pump air.
Every coach should have isolation valves and an APC cable from Gene Fisher to protect the electrical system from an alternator surge or failure. If anyone is new and does not know about an APC cable, you should research immediately. Do not delay
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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