God willing, my wife and I plan to purchase our first Class A next year. We've done tons of research and know what we want as far as size, layout, etc. We think we might prefer diesel over gas. The problem is: I have never operated an air brake, and I have no idea at all about how it works. I don't wish to buy, then learn, and that would make us lean toward a gas coach.Perhaps someone can relieve my ignorance here. :)

Air brakes are only on large pushers. So what exactly what size are you looking at?

Go to the licence bureau and get the training manual for CDL with air brakes. Read and learn. Nothing really special, just good common ¢.Richard

We want nothing shorter than 34'

Theres really not that much difference. You make sure that you have the correct amount of air pressure (gauges) and you never, never pump the brakes as that will release air pressure every time you pump.All DPs have either an exhaust brake or an engine brake. Utilizing these, you very seldom ever need to use the service (air) brakes unless an emergency, need to stop quickly or come to a complete stop.It doesn't take much to get use to them, so don't worry about it.Ron

I love my air brakes. You might learn about them on the internet. Call me if you wish.

Braking Conundrum | Good Sam Community

119 Replies

Tom_Barb
Explorer
Dec 11, 2016
moisheh wrote:
It's called DENIAL!! I also don't understand the attitude. It is no big deal to to understand your system. When it comes to vehicle air systems there is no such thing as maintenance free. take your unit to a GOOD truck repair center and ask them if the air system is maintenance free. Better yet stop at a scale and ask the DOT officer! There are hundreds of feet of air brake lines with unions, governor, tees, check valves, regulators, air chambers and moving parts. The leveling system on your coach runs on air and it too can go south causing a loss of air. Do you know how to do a 6 pack? Have you ever done a leak down test?? The S cams on a drum brake system require greasing that involves removing the wheel and drum. The simple tests I mentioned can be done from the driver's seat by any lay person.

Moisheh

Any mechanical system can fail at any given time, It doesn't require a engineering degree to understand that.
The airbrake system on our coaches is dependent upon air pressure, when it goes away the brakes are applied. this is known as a fail safe system. anything that fails the brakes go on. not off.
The only exception to that is when the pads/shoes are totally worn out. and anyone with half a brain will know, long before it comes dangerous.
That metal to metal scraping sound is a big clue.
slickest1
Explorer
Dec 11, 2016
Mile High wrote:
Wow - this thread has really gotten hostile!

So I see 6-pack thrown out twice as an air brake intelligence litmus test. I had no idea what a 6-pack is, but do you think after 10 pages of gnashing at the teeth, name calling, and throwing rocks across borders or an 80 page manual being tossed around that anyone would explain it? Heck no - I had to find it here in some farmers forum:

Combine Fourm

Looks like even in the Combine world the 6-pack is a Canuck thing so why would the rest of us know what that is if its not an international term? Gee-zoots - are you guys trying to actually help anyone here or just chastise them?
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Dec 11, 2016
slickest1 wrote:
OK, you can live in your bubble!!

I have near 80 years, I learned to drive truck on a 1954 Brockway And every morning we had a virtual ritual of doing things that are now automated.
If Canada requires you to know all this, that's all well and good, we don't.
Mile_High
Explorer
Dec 11, 2016
Wow - this thread has really gotten hostile!

So I see 6-pack thrown out twice as an air brake intelligence litmus test. I had no idea what a 6-pack is, but do you think after 10 pages of gnashing at the teeth, name calling, and throwing rocks across borders or an 80 page manual being tossed around that anyone would explain it? Heck no - I had to find it here in some farmers forum:

Combine Fourm

Looks like even in the Combine world the 6-pack is a Canuck thing so why would the rest of us know what that is if its not an international term? Gee-zoots - are you guys trying to actually help anyone here or just chastise them?
moisheh
Explorer
Dec 11, 2016
It's called DENIAL!! I also don't understand the attitude. It is no big deal to to understand your system. When it comes to vehicle air systems there is no such thing as maintenance free. take your unit to a GOOD truck repair center and ask them if the air system is maintenance free. Better yet stop at a scale and ask the DOT officer! There are hundreds of feet of air brake lines with unions, governor, tees, check valves, regulators, air chambers and moving parts. The leveling system on your coach runs on air and it too can go south causing a loss of air. Do you know how to do a 6 pack? Have you ever done a leak down test?? The S cams on a drum brake system require greasing that involves removing the wheel and drum. The simple tests I mentioned can be done from the driver's seat by any lay person.

Moisheh
timjet
Explorer
Dec 11, 2016
This website has an explanation of air brakes. I haven't read through all 10 pages of this tread so sorry if was previously posted. I can't imagine anyone who operates a coach with air brakes not understanding this system. https://faculty.mccneb.edu/dlpartner/Documents/Air%20Brake%20Manual.pdf
slickest1
Explorer
Dec 11, 2016
OK, you can live in your bubble!!
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Dec 11, 2016
slickest1 wrote:
Tom/Barb wrote:
Reading the last 3 posts, one would have to believe they don't have their coaches maintained regularly.
It doesn't get scary until when the pedal is pushed and the coach doesn't stop.

My point exactly! I just hope I am not in front of you when that happens. You can maintain your coach as well as you want but by some of your responses it makes me wonder.
In case you wonder yes I am licenced to maintain air systems and set brakes.
RV's are not required to stop at scales in Canada.

I don't understand why you would argue the information that myself and others suggested to the OP.

Simply because this is 2016 the airbrakes we have now are near as you can get to maintenance free. My coach has auto purging tanks, automatic slack adjusters, and is on scheduled maintenance program. you needn't fear me or my coach or its ability to stop.

The modern coach isn't the old over the road tractor that most of these training requirements came from nor do they deserve the fear mongering that has been shown here.
slickest1
Explorer
Dec 11, 2016
Tom/Barb wrote:
Reading the last 3 posts, one would have to believe they don't have their coaches maintained regularly.
It doesn't get scary until when the pedal is pushed and the coach doesn't stop.

My point exactly! I just hope I am not in front of you when that happens. You can maintain your coach as well as you want but by some of your responses it makes me wonder.
In case you wonder yes I am licenced to maintain air systems and set brakes.
RV's are not required to stop at scales in Canada.

I don't understand why you would argue the information that myself and others suggested to the OP.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Dec 11, 2016
Gib3633 wrote:

The number one reason for air brake vehicles being grounded at scales is brakes out of adjustment.

In Canada must all airbrake coaches go to the scales? down here we don't.

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Braking Conundrum

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