compressed air outlet (and inlet?)

Lowe's has been selling a Universal (female) air coupler for a while now. On the shoulder where you would put a wrench, it will be stamped with a "U". They will connect to either male coupler portion - either the one with the thin or thick colar. I've now put them on all of my air hoses. If you go to buy them, make sure you look for the "U" on them because they're usually all mixed up in Lowe's bins. I haven't seen them at HD or our other local hardware stores. I also changed out the fittings on my MH.

Bill

Look at the collars on the fittings. Most DIY or home users use the ones with the narrow collars. Commercial fittings have collars that are larger and wider. Compare the one you took off to the one you put on and you'll see the difference....Dennis

We recently required a tow for our Allegro Bus. The tow drive attempted to connect his air to our system through the coupling in the front but could not make a good connection. He then went directly to the air dryer near the compressor and installed his own coupling. He had just about every type coupling/plug combination and knew exactly what to do and how to do it. These guys have seen most everything and will most likely know how to take care of you.

As for your rear connection, go to Home Depot or Lowes and pick up one each of the four different air disconnect plugs. bleed your tanks then try each plug. Return the ones that don't fit and attach the proper one to your hose, or to another coupling that connects with your hose. There are really only three or four couplings used in the industry.

prism wrote:

oldmattb wrote:
Scott, makes sense. Rob,good advice!

Matt B

how does one know that the tow trucks air compressor fits the original MH air fittings? Is there a code(part#) that MH manufactures and all tow companys share/use?

Prism,
I've worked with quite a few tow truck drivers while on the FD for over a career and, most of them were seasoned vets and were prepared for just about anything that they were faced with.

Now, most of the larger tow rigs, are dispatched to tow large trucks, i.e. motor homes and just about anything that has air brakes. They've got lots of fittings and adapters on most. Every once in a while, you'll find an ill prepared driver and truck but, I think that's rare. There are a few types of quick release fittings out there and, who knows that, if you'll ever need a tow, that, that driver/truck will be equipped with the right fittings to back fill your system to release your brakes?? I suppose you, ( as a diesel motor home owner with air brakes) could purchase every type of quick release fitting and adapter so that, if and when the time ever came, you'd at least be somewhat prepared FOR the tow truck driver.


Scott

I think Scott's got it right too.. Mike Mathews..

oldmattb wrote:
Scott, makes sense. Rob,good advice!

Matt B

how does one know that the tow trucks air compressor fits the original MH air fittings? Is there a code(part#) that MH manufactures and all tow companys share/use?

Scott, makes sense. Rob,good advice!

Matt B

The Air fittings that You removed should be retained in the Motor home as the Type that You have installed may not be compatible with the Tow Trucks Air Hose!

There are several Air Chuck (QR) types and sizes. I just made an adapter in order to get around the problem.

oldmattb,
Most likely the front one is for "air-in". That is, if you should ever need a tow, and your air supply is low enough that the brakes are on and, you cannot build air from your own engines compressor, a tow truck can back up to the front of your coach and hook up their air system to yours and build up yours so that there's enough air in yours to release the parking brakes so he can tow you away. That's also presupposing that there's no "shut off valve" (like we have on ours) that was shut off and that's why you had no rush of air from it when you removed the quick release fitting. That's my guess.
Scott

oldmattb wrote:
Our '98 Monaco has compressor-type air connections at the front and rear of the coach. I replaced them yesterday, so the connectors would be compatible with my hoses and attachments.

The rear connection was compressed air and one side of my air system was emptied when the connector was removed - no surprises there. The front connector was not compressed air. When the connector was removed, it didn't blow or suck, so to speak. In addition, I have a hand-written note from a previous owner that says something like "air connectors: rear/out front/in."

What is the front connector for? Compressor connection to fill the system for compressed air if the engine-mounted compressor fails? Any ideas?

Matt B

If the air will go in to the connection to air up the system if towing required etc then air should also come out should it not? Mine does