Good Sam Club Open Roads Forum: Existing air line for RV braking system


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robatthelake

Vancouver Island

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Posted: 02/08/21 12:34pm

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I was not able to find the correct fitting locally for the slightly used air brake system that I bought from a friend who no longer had the Motorhome!

I just had a standard air chuck installed on the rear of my coach which is tied into the coaches braking system.

I made up a new coach to toad connection hose using the right ends to adapt !

It has worked fine for the last five years and we travel 8 to 10 thousand each year!

Rob & Jean
98 Dutch Star Diesel Pusher ..07 Honda CRV AWD

Bikeboy57

Inverness, FL

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Posted: 02/10/21 05:05pm

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Make up an air gauge screwed to a male disconnect. Put it in the fitting. If it is a aux brake system line it will not have pressure. Now press the brakes and see if you register pressure. You should see anywhere crom 30 to 90 psi depending on how firm your helper presses the pedal.

If you get pressure without pressing the brake pedal it is NOT an auxialliary brake line.

Richard and Rhonda
1999 Newell
Subaru Outback toad

rvroamerrandy

Yorba Linda CA

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Posted: 02/11/21 06:07am

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That's great advice. I appreciate that. I will work on getting the air fitting along with the gauge. Keep you posted.
Lets assume it is connected to aux brake, back in the past (2011, 2012)I was told it might just be an connection to a brake line without any additional systems on it (smi, Roadmaster etc.?) can this be true? Because I am having a heck of a time locating any systems down there?

Thanks again for your great advice!

Randy
2011 Winnebago Journey 40U
2016 Jeep

CA Traveler

The Western States

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Posted: 02/11/21 06:30am

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rvroamerrandy wrote:

Those "hard to find" air fitting might be DOT approved and Amazon has some.

Of course it might be a direct line to the brake system. Plus installed by the mfg gives the salesman bragging rights about the RV being set up for air brakes for the trailer or toad. Seems unlikely to me that they would install a SMI controller for example with the additional cost when they have no idea what the owner would want if any - an argument you could also apply to just an air line.

2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
750 Watts Solar Morningstar MPPT 60 Controller
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland

Bob

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Posted: 02/11/21 06:47am

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You might also want to consider using DOT approved air lines. While I'm aware that some use whatever hose, clamps and fittings this could be a libiality issue.

Also be aware that the Air Force 1 controller requires 3 lines. One is a supply line that fills the aux air tank. The second is the metered brake line that controls a valve to release the aux air tank air to the third line to the towed vehicle. This setup is required to meet federal guidelines.