{"id":5194,"date":"2023-12-10T12:00:15","date_gmt":"2023-12-10T19:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecampingnerd.com\/?p=5194"},"modified":"2023-12-11T05:54:20","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T12:54:20","slug":"bleed-rv-air-tanks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecampingnerd.com\/bleed-rv-air-tanks\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should & How To Drain Or Bleed RV Air Tanks"},"content":{"rendered":"
All diesel and a few gas RV’s and motorhomes will use an air system to power things like the air brakes, the emergency brake, air suspension, and even automatic leveling.<\/p>\n
There’s an onboard air compressor that pressurizes two or more air tanks located under the RV towards the front.<\/p>\n
Related Product: Add snap on SnapPad Rubber RV Jack Feet (click to view on Amazon)<\/a> to your RV stabilizers to add grip and eleminate the need for RV blocks.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The compressor maintains air pressure in the tanks from around 90-130 psi so you have enough air for everything that needs it.<\/p>\n There are a few reasons for multiple air tanks on an RV but the main one is mostly a safety precaution.<\/p>\n Not all RV air systems are the same but usually, there is a wet tank, a primary air tank, and a secondary air tank.<\/p>\n Normally each tank is separate from the other so if one gets a leak the other will still be able to run your air system.<\/p>\n Related:\u00a0Best 12V RV Air Compressor\/Tire Inflator With Gauge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Some RV’s use the secondary air tank for things like airbags. In this case, there is most likely a third tank that is completely isolated reserving air for the braking system in case of primary tank failure.<\/p>\n Bleeding the air tanks not only makes sure there is no water in the air system but also checks the connections between the tanks, making sure there are no leaks and the valves between them are working properly.<\/p>\n The most important job of the RV air tanks is to run the air braking system.<\/p>\n When you press the brake pedal compressed air from an air tank puts pressure on the brake disk or drum to begin the braking process.<\/p>\n As you press down more psi is applied to the brakes and if you press the brake pedal down all the way all the pressure in the air tank will be applied to your brakes.<\/p>\n If your RV doesn’t have ABS (Anit-Lock Braking System) your tires will completely lock up.<\/p>\n When you release the brake pedal the pressure is released and your air tank loses the pressure.<\/p>\n Your compressor has to make up for the lost air and if you pump your brakes too much you could lose a lot of pressure in your tanks.<\/p>\n That’s why it’s better to put even pressure on air brakes rather than pump them when going down long steep declines so you don’t lose the stored compressed air.<\/p>\n The second most important job of your RV air tanks is to engage the emergency braking system.<\/p>\n When there is no pressure in your RV air system large springs engage, apply pressure to your brakes, and lock them up.<\/p>\n When you start up your RV and the compressor turns on it starts to fill the air tanks. When they reach at least 60 psi the springs are pushed back and the emergency brakes are released.<\/p>\nRV Air System Overview<\/h2>\n
RV Air Tanks & Air Brakes<\/h3>\n
RV Air Tanks & The Emergency Brake<\/h3>\n