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davemilster's avatar
davemilster
Explorer
Dec 26, 2013

2005 Coachmen Cross Country Air tanks

I just purchased a diesel pusher 354 with the air brakes.
the manuals list in several places about three air tanks. These need to be "bled of condensation" all of which I'm good with.
The manual says in one spot this is automatic. in another spot it says there are cables that you pull to operate these bleed valves. NOWHERE does it show me WHERE to find the tank valves.
Anybody point me in the right direction on this?
  • Yes I'm on a freightliner chassis. You all have been a big help. I'll look around and see what I can find. Will advise.
  • The 354MBS were built on a Freightliner chassis. The cables are in or around the front right wheel well if memory serves. Give them a good tug and you should hear air escape and if there is moisture you will probably see a spot on the ground.
  • davemilster,
    Congrats on the purchase of your new rig. About 100% of the diesel pusher motor homes out there come with what's known as an "Air dryer". Compressing air, in most cases, produces moisture. The air dryer's job is, take that air, that's been compressed and pumped by the engine driven air compressor, and "Dry" that air BEFORE, it enters the working part of the system. 99.9999% of the time, it does a very fine job of doing just what it's supposed to do.

    But, in rare cases, there will be more condensation that forms in the air lines etc. AFTER the air dryer. And, that condensation will normally collect in the bottom of the air storage tanks. Should that happen, those tanks can be "bled" to release the condensation/moisture because the bleed valve is at the very bottom.

    Now, you don't have to bleed each tank, all the way down. If it has any moisture at all, it will exit the tank first, then, only air will be bleeding and there's no need to bleed air.

    Now, as to the location of the cables that attach to the bleed valves. On many Freightliner chassised coaches, the cables ends are located in the right front fenderwell. They are not always obvious in being out in the open. Sometimes they're obscured by different things. You might have to look around a bit.

    Now, again, this primarily refers to Freightliner chassis vehicles. On others, I can't help there. In any event, if you don't see them in any of the fenderwells, the next method of finding them is to get under the coach, find the air tanks which, most of the time, are located close to each other and, normally in the front section of the coach someplace. Then, you can see the bleed valves on the bottom and, at that point, you should also see the attached cable(s).

    Then, just follow the cables to where they lead to. Done! Good luck.
    Scott
  • Try looking in the front driver side wheel well. Mine has three wires connected to a hook. Pull on each one to release the valve and purge the tanks.
  • What chassis? Chassis maker determines location, though automatic purge may be an option.

    You also may (certainly hope so) also have an AIR DRYER on the air system. It needs to be serviced every couple of years. With an air dryer, you should never get any water, oil or dirt from the bleed valves. If you do, the dryer has failed.