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Old 04-26-2013, 12:34 PM   #1
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how often do you really drain your air tanks?

i'm just curious as to real-life usage from owners on how often they drain the air tanks. per the manual, you should do this daily. i have drained mine every night after i park it for the night so far. i've asked a few diesel rig owners and they didn't even know where their tanks were...

in my workshop, i drain my air compressor tanks completely after every use and do see water coming out the bottom. i don't have an air dryer on my workshop compressor, just the tank, so i try to be very diligent on upkeep.
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Old 04-26-2013, 01:09 PM   #2
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I think rather then how often do you drain, how far/miles do you drive before you drain. If you're driving only 100 miles or so probably not enough moisture in the tanks if there's and air dryer in the system to get more then a drop out of the tanks.
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Old 04-26-2013, 01:11 PM   #3
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It scares me to think what my garage compressor(not purged in 3 years) and my Berks air tanks(not drained in a year) look like inside. Probably alot of rusty water in there. There are just too many things that have unrealistic maintainance intervals that I'm lucky to keep up with my oil changes.
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Old 04-26-2013, 01:54 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lindy View Post
I think rather then how often do you drain, how far/miles do you drive before you drain. If you're driving only 100 miles or so probably not enough moisture in the tanks if there's and air dryer in the system to get more then a drop out of the tanks.
distance won't have a thing to do with moisture in the air... if the compressor is ran and it fills the tanks, there is some moisture in there. even with air dryers and moisture ejectors, there will always be some that makes it's way into the tanks... just physics and science that us mortals haven't been able to conquer completely yet
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Old 04-26-2013, 02:04 PM   #5
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I drain my garage compressor after every use and same with the portable one I keep in the FW. I do see water/moisture come out when the humidity is high. Just simple preventive maintenance.
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Old 04-26-2013, 02:09 PM   #6
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I maintain 18 diesel trucks and our rule is to drain the air tanks at every fillup. We have the drain valve pigtails by the filler cap so its easy to reach down and pull them.

Critical to drain in the winter because the moisture will freeze in the airlines and make braking a little difficult!!!!!
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Old 04-26-2013, 02:41 PM   #7
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I drain, probably 4 times a month or before and during any long trips.
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Old 04-26-2013, 04:39 PM   #8
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I leave the petcock on the bottom of my shop air compressor cracked so it has a slow drip. Not sure if this would be wise on the MH tank seeing as we rely on it for our brakes.
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Old 04-26-2013, 10:09 PM   #9
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I believe my manual states the air tanks need drained every six months. I'll have to take another look!
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Old 04-27-2013, 09:44 AM   #10
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Do they cover this topic at Camp Freightliner. I'm supposed to attend next month and hope they do.
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Old 04-27-2013, 10:27 AM   #11
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Do they cover this topic at Camp Freightliner. I'm supposed to attend next month and hope they do.
i don't see why it wouldn't be... its critical to the operation of the vehicle...
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Old 04-27-2013, 08:45 PM   #12
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How does one go about draining the water from air tank? Also, is there a way to release the air from the air ride when it's parked, or does it do that automatically?

Thanks. First tie owner here!
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Old 04-27-2013, 09:06 PM   #13
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There are 3 wire loops in the front well on the top.Two on one side and one on the other. I think it's the driver side with two wire loops. Pull those wire loops and you will drain the air and any water out of the system. If you have a awning rod it works great for doing this. I didn't like having my arm between the wheel and 30000# of steel.



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Old 05-02-2013, 06:00 PM   #14
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Hey guys - look what I found at Love's truck stop for $20.00... Perfect for reaching into the tire wells to pull the cables to drain the air tanks....

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Old 05-02-2013, 06:12 PM   #15
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ernest,

Nice- I will have to look for one the next time I stop at a truck stop.
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Old 05-02-2013, 06:16 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by ernest917 View Post
Hey guys - look what I found at Love's truck stop for $20.00... Perfect for reaching into the tire wells to pull the cables to drain the air tanks....

Attachment 29492
Not sure - but isn't that what the big rig drivers use to pull the pin on the fifth wheel when unhooking?
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Old 05-02-2013, 06:19 PM   #17
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Back when I drove 18 wheelers and ran a Wheel Front-End-loader I drain the air tanks every night and left them open until I when back to them.
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Old 05-02-2013, 06:24 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ernest917 View Post
Hey guys - look what I found at Love's truck stop for $20.00... Perfect for reaching into the tire wells to pull the cables to drain the air tanks....

Attachment 29492
That was designed for pulling the 5th wheel latch on a big rigs
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Old 05-02-2013, 06:28 PM   #19
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Well it's now going to be used to pull the wire loops to drain my tanks.... Not a bad price for a heavy chrome piece of steel..
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Old 05-02-2013, 06:45 PM   #20
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ernest,

Nice- I will have to look for one the next time I stop at a truck stop.
It's known as a fifth wheel puller. Keeps the driver from having to reach WAY back under the nose of trailer to pull the fifth wheel (a REAL fifth wheel) of the tractor. Last driving job I had, the fifth wheel was released by air pressure using an in-cab control.

FWIW, they make one just as good for what you want it for, that only costs $10.
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