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Air for the tires

Yahoo Message Number: 102540
Hi All - Please confirm that I have the right thought process on options for airing the tires of the rig:

1) Running the engine, will provide more compressed air to the air tanks then anything else?

2) The Thomas 12V Compressor, auxiliary for keeping the coach level, does not add air to the tanks, just air to the bags.

3) The quick air connect in the front electric bay below the driver, is fed only from the Thomas? (I think this is my main question, that I'm trying to confirm.

I have a Les Schwab Air Doubler, and my thoughts are that even with this, the Thomas 12V Compressor would have trouble inflating 12R 22.5's to 110-115PSI?

Am I correct on my thinking? Or, is their another air connect that I've missed, that comes off of the air tanks fed when the engine is running?

(We've had some recent tire changes while traveling, and believe I now have a very slow leak from the left duals. I have Cross Fires, and the shop remounted it incorrectly when I had the front tire moved to the left outside dual. (Missed this as I was leaving the shop, finding it when I went to put the TPMS back on. The air stem to the Cross Fire, was angled the wrong wan and the air stem for inflation was too close to the wheel to allow attachment of the TPMS sensor. Just barely get an air chuck or my air gauge onto it.) So, a return visit, and I think they had to again disconnect the hoses from the wheels to the Cross Fire. Suspect they may have damaged an O Ring in the hose, or, possibly did not get it snugged up tight enough.)

Tested the fittings I could reach with soapy water, and they were OK, can not get back to the fitting to the inside wheel. And, I'm assuming that I have a slow leak, as the PSI was not where I understood they were to set the PSI as I was having the work done. I got it aired back up at truck stop. And monitor via the TPMS and actual air gauge for the next few days, to see if it is losing air. It's possible that the tire shop loss air as they were moving the Cross Fires back where it belonged to allow the TPMS sensor. And then neglected to top it up. The same shop, had only a 120 PSI compressor, and it really struggled to get even 110PSI into the tires, let alone the 'double work' of airing the Duals via the Cross Fires.

Sorry for all that background, but it got me to thinking that I really needed to firm up having a method of airing the tires independently with what is available to me on the coach. Thus the reasons on trying to be sure I know how the air is fed to the quick disconnect, and what kind of PSI is reasonable to see output from this connection.

Best to all, and TIA,

Smitty
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102541
My Bad - So busy with my 'crisp post', that I left off...

04 Allure 31017 with ISL370

Besides carrying a CO bottle, or dedicated larger air compressor. My basic question was 'How do you use the stuff on the coach, to air tires up to 110-115 PSI? Tossing in a Les Schwab air doubler into the mix? :)!

Smitty
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102542
Smitty,

I have the doubler and use it with the engine running.  I don't have the cross overs and have no issues.  Just find it awkward to get the PressurePro TPMS on & off the inside duals.
John

08 Intrigue #1223
14 Ford Edge

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102543
There was a mention of a cool little battery compressor that sells for like $200 here is the link

VIAIR 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor - Walmart.com

image

VIAIR 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor - Walma... Buy VIAIR 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor at Walmart.com

View on www.walmart.com

right

I opt to buy a Dewalt 200 PSI 4.5 Gallon compressor.  It is small light weight (compared to a shop compressor,) well balanced, and moves around coach with ease,  and has no problem pumping tires on the coach.  I paid $265 on sale.
I just figured that little compressor with that little piston would work way to hard.  It is made for RVs, come with case and looks so cool.
I just keep telling myself, anything that small DC Power, that will sit 3/4 of its life, then work the hell out of it for the other 1/4 of its life, just wont seem to last, and would take long time to fill tires.
The Dewalt fills it as easy as filling a car tire.  Runs smooth and quite and is not a chore.
But the VISIR Looks cool.  I think it will still be a lot of work with small compressor and big tires.
But I would love to know if I am wrong

Bob

2003 Allure 370 ILS 3 Slide Tag  / #30814

On Thursday, August 27, 2015 10:47 PM, "johndpedersen@... [Country-Coach-Owners]"  wrote:

Smitty,

I have the doubler and use it with the engine running.  I don't have the cross overs and have no issues.  Just find it awkward to get the PressurePro TPMS on & off the inside duals.
John

08 Intrigue #1223
14 Ford Edge

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102545
I bought this a couple years ago... works flawlessly VIAIR Corporation - 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor (P/N 40047) http://www.viaircorp.com/400P-rv-auto.html

available from Amazon Prime for just $200 We don't leave home without it

Joseph Burkle

2010 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QRP

43' quad slide tag axle ISL 425 HP pusher
formerly:

2008 Country Coach Inspire 360 Founders Edition
Wind-seeker.com

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102546
really?  I am still thinking about it.    how long does it take to add 10 to 15 lbs to the tires?  I love the concept, I just figured it would not work.  can you get around to the tires fine?  does the hoses stand up to being dragged?

On Friday, August 28, 2015 7:50 AM, "jb@... [Country-Coach-Owners]"  wrote:

I bought this a couple years ago... works flawlessly VIAIR Corporation - 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor (P/N 40047) http://www.viaircorp.com/400P-rv-auto.html

available from Amazon Prime for just $200 We don't leave home without it
Joseph Burkle

2010 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QRP

43' quad slide tag axle ISL 425 HP pusher formerly:

2008 Country Coach Inspire 360 Founders Edition Wind-seeker.com

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102547
Filled my tag tire from 60 to 90 psi in about 20 minutes using the viair.  Continued on filling several additional tires in that process without any issues.  Nice  little gizmo. Stu Koop2006 allure 430  #31301Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android    From:"Robert Ross bobrobertross@... [Country-Coach-Owners]" Date:Fri, Aug 28, 2015 at 5:20Subject:Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Air for the tires really?  I am still thinking about it.    how long does it take to add 10 to 15 lbs to the tires?  I love the concept, I just figured it would not work.  can you get around to the tires fine?  does the hoses stand up to being dragged?      On Friday, August 28, 2015 7:50 AM, "jb@... [Country-Coach-Owners]"  wrote: I bought this a couple years ago... works flawlesslyVIAIR Corporation - 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor (P/N 40047)http://www.viaircorp.com/400P-rv-auto.htmlavailable from Amazon Prime for just $200We don't leave home without itJoseph Burkle2010 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QRP43' quad slide tag axle ISL 425 HP pusherformerly: 2008 Country Coach Inspire 360 Founders EditionWind-seeker.com

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102553
Smitty, I believe the air quick disconnect in the bay below the driver's window is connected to the compressor on the engine.  I do know that whenever I have used it, it seems to have plenty of pressure.  I have never tried using it without the engine running so really not sure if the Thomas will come on if the engine is off.

I bought a small portable compressor from Sears when we got our first coach and I have just kept moving to the next one.  I find it easier to pull it out and use it to air up the coach tires.... it maxes out at about 125 - 130 psi so it gets the job done.  I will use the coach tap to air up my bicycle tires to keep from dragging out the portable compressor.

Gary

07 Allure 470 Siskiyou Summit

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102554
Thanks to all of you! And also to two nice PM's I got that also went into lots of details.

" 3) The quick air connect in the front electric bay below the driver, is fed only from the Thomas? (I think this is my main question, that I'm trying to confirm. "
 The above was corrected, as it is the engine compressor that feeds the quick disconnect on the front of the driver side front bay. I have about 125PSI from what our gauge shows, and that along with 'the doubler' should do me good.

The gent I bought 'the doubler' from had used it with his Magna, before coming off the road. He commented that he felt 'the doubler' reduced his tire topping up time by about 1/3.

I used to carry a pancake compressor, but found that I so seldom need to add air, that it was just taking up space. So, I carry 'the doubler' and air hose and air chuck. But, I never took the time to play with it a home, where if I loss too much air for some reason, I would still have the pancake compressor to recover. That was my mistake, I should have validated things worked before leaving the house.

I got my #3 wrong, thou I thought differently, due to a conversation with another coach owner that insisted the 12V Thomas was feeding the air quick disconnect. I'll trust my instincts in the future:)!

Appreciated the clarifications, and advice on air compressors too.
Best to all,

Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102557
It my understanding  that the "Air Connect" on the coach can be used to inflate or keep the correct air pressure in the tires. what I told you need to do is pump the brakes  until the air pressure is well below 60 pounds. Get the air chuck ready and the hose plug into the "Air connect". start the engine and as the air pump is working to increase the air pressure in the air brakes, it is at it's best opportunity to raise the air pressure in the tire(s).  If the brake air pressure raises over 90 pounds... and the tire is not where you want it.... do the process again. I have not tried this procedure as yet.

Dave
07  Country Coach Allure 430 #31495
12 Jeep GC Toad
Mountains of So Cal and
Henderson, Nev
From: "gsmith77_7@... [Country-Coach-Owners]" To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, August 28, 2015 2:21 PM Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Air for the tires

Thanks to all of you! And also to two nice PM's I got that also went into lots of details.

" 3) The quick air connect in the front electric bay below the driver, is fed only from the Thomas? (I think this is my main question, that I'm trying to confirm. "
 The above was corrected, as it is the engine compressor that feeds the quick disconnect on the front of the driver side front bay. I have about 125PSI from what our gauge shows, and that along with 'the doubler' should do me good.

The gent I bought 'the doubler' from had used it with his Magna, before coming off the road. He commented that he felt 'the doubler' reduced his tire topping up time by about 1/3.

I used to carry a pancake compressor, but found that I so seldom need to add air, that it was just taking up space. So, I carry 'the doubler' and air hose and air chuck. But, I never took the time to play with it a home, where if I loss too much air for some reason, I would still have the pancake compressor to recover. That was my mistake, I should have validated things worked before leaving the house.

I got my #3 wrong, thou I thought differently, due to a conversation with another coach owner that insisted the 12V Thomas was feeding the air quick disconnect. I'll trust my instincts in the future:)!

Appreciated the clarifications, and advice on air compressors too.
Best to all,
Smitty

04 Allure 31017
Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102558
I have used the air from the Coach several times to put air in my tires.
I was told to let the air build up and then press on the brake several times to build up more air pressure. Works well.

Bill

Intrigue 11826

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102560
I use the Viair pump on my Magna. I changed out the fitting on the pump so I could a standard air hose with it. I roll out the chassis batteries, clip the pump to them, plug in the hose, and drag it around the coach. Bob's your Uncle.

Sent from Tim Gerrity's iPad

2002 Magna #6083
2011 Ford Escape

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102562
The air compressor connection on your coach will work for up to about 110 lbs but for those who need 120 lbs for the steer tires it is inadequate. The doubler sold by Schwabb in Junction City increases that significantly. I have mounted my doubler permanently in the bay beneath the drivers seat. Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102563
I use the pressure doubler with the engine running and it takes appox 2 minutes to bring a 315 or 12R tire from 110 lbs to 120 lbs.  When I had new tires installed 3 years ago they installed stainless steel  valve stems that extend from the inner wheel of the duals thru the exterior wheel for easy filling.  I still use Smart tire and am very happy.  Just had 8 transmitters replaced last month while in Junction City at Don's  Les Schwab.  TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731
 

Re: Air for the tires

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102565
I wasn't happy with the supplemental compressor from the beginning and also wanted an easy way or airing up tires without running the coach engine. This is what I came up with:

Viair Compressor

Amazon.com: Viair 46043 Compressor Kit: Automotive

Haven't had the need to air up the coach tires but it does a great job on the Jeep tires and a much better job of leveling the coach.

Barney

07 Inspire 52059
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