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Sitting on the dock of the bay…….
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This guy sounds like today’s truck drivers…I just hold onto the steering wheel and go on my way…I don’t know nothing and don’t want to know nothing. Then he starts asking questions and doesn’t like the answers. I sure hope I don’t see him on any road I am on as he is a disaster waiting to happen.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
Bill:
Take a deep breath, everyone here, especially Jon & Tom are sharing advice to help. We all learn from our mistakes and others.
Please consider doing the DOT brake test before departure. Not doing so is like being a diabetic and not monitoring your insulin levels. You will get away with it until you don’t.
Chuck
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“This Guy” did not ask any advice in this post but rather posted a story about what was happening with my coach. I followed that up with what the likely problem was and that we were pleased to be safely at Prevost waiting for service. The responses I got included suggesting that finding a bus company to fix the problem would be better than having the factory service center do the work (where I am currently without brakes). Advice on doing a DOT Brake check AFTER the brakes have failed is not helpful either. I have asked questions in the past and gotten excellent responses and help in those cases. Not sure why things went sideways here.
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Bill, you are assuming the posts by me, except for my last one were critical of you. You were wrong. I described where I suspected the problem was based on the limited information posted. I did that because loss of air pressure is not a good thing, and while relatively rare, when it does happen the situation needs immediate attention. I shared information to help everyone understand how it is possible to zero in on a leak so if roadside service is needed the technician might have an idea and with luck have needed parts.
My last post is intended to be critical because a pre-trip inspection involves far more than starting the engine, building air and driving away. This is a perfect example of why a DOT pre-trip inspection is valuable. Rarely does a brake system problem show up instantly and catastrophically. When you perform the entire DOT brake check small subtle clues prior to a serious problem show up.
For example, if you lose air when releasing the parking brake, even a few PSI when previously there was no loss, it is a sign of an impending issue relating likely to an emergency brake chamber or hose or fitting.
If you lose primary or secondary air when the service brakes are not applied, and the parking brake is engaged you can almost be certain you have an issue with a relay valve or anything upstream from a relay valve, including air lines or fittings.
If you have a steady loss in the accessory system and the primary and secondary system is in good shape the leak is anywhere in the accessory system. That leak however should leave your primary and secondary systems fully functioning with about 75 PSI assuming your protection valve is working as intended, something proven with the DOT brake checks.
Personally I do not care how you do pre-trip inspections, understand your coach, or maintain it. What I do care is you post accurate and complete information. Have a nice day.
2005 XL Thompson Coach
Rarely tow anything behind us.
Sold: 1993 Liberty that we loved for 12 years. -
I have and I did post accurate info. Once Prevost determines what the problem is I will post that as well. I, like the other 99% of folks who own a similar RV, are not technically inclined and have never done, or know how to do, a DOT brake test. Yes, I know it’s been posted here and I appreciate the information. But it is not something that any RVer with air brakes knows about. It’s simply not talked about or explained to any RVer by any service center or sales person. Prevost has never mentioned it to me in all the years I have had them do service.
I appreciate the wealth of information on this site. I hope everyone has a nice day everyday! I’m off to the casino to see if I can win enough to pay for the upcoming repairs! Wish me luck!
2005 XL Thompson Coach
Rarely tow anything behind us.
Sold: 1993 Liberty that we loved for 12 years. -
Jon,
I have monitored this thread from the very first post. Aside from a few comments that I do not really understand, I have found it to be interesting and informative. In fact, when I get back to FL I am going to pull out one of my older PC books that I received at a PC seminar a few years ago produced by you and Tom. I personally believe that I do a pretty good job with pre-trip inspections, however this thread reminds me that it is not to the level that it probably should be.
Forgive me if I’m wrong, but is it not posts like these that are the true reason that Prevost Community exists? As it stands this sandbox will remain open and welcome everyone. However, it will continue to be carefully monitored.
As always I can be reached personally if any member has a concern.
Bill III
2005 XL Thompson Coach
Rarely tow anything behind us.
Sold: 1993 Liberty that we loved for 12 years. -
Hey Bill remember to always split aces and 8’s!
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I truly hope 99% of Prevost owners do not only want to be able to find the key. A Prevost is a large heavy commercial vehicle and as such Prevost provides a detailed manual to assist owners.
https://techpub.prevostcar.com/en/download?id=9&type=manuals_operator&mode=view
Of particular relevance to this discussion is information relating to pre-trip inspections. Prevost does in fact provide detail relating to braking systems and the procedure to check them prior to a trip. Of particular importance is information found on pages 3-1, 3-6, and pages 4-8 and 4-9.
What makes pre-trip inspections a big deal is the safety factor being a prime reason, but equally important doing a pre-trip inspection in my experience is a huge money saver. Not only is it ideal to catch a problem, real or impending prior to hitting the road because there are more options for fixing stuff less expensively, but catching issues early often prevents a minor glitch from becoming a more serious and expensive problem.
Prevost has an amazing web site that all of us can access, any time, and get coach specific information about operating our coaches as well as information about maintaining them. Prevost even goes so far as to provide manual access for purchased components used on the coach so even if we are stuck seeking help or repairs, even people that lack Prevost specific experience can get step by step information about service or repairs.
During our seminars we leaned very heavily on the information available from Prevost as well as information from their very knowledgeable service managers and trainers.
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Thanks Jon:)
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No brake leak down check. Do you kick the tires?
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Sometimes things Happen!
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If one is trying to get a CDL one of the test is understanding the Air Brake system.
But some states allow RV’s to skip being knowledgeable about air brakes and understanding that these are large metal masses runing down the road.
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I am wondering if the Brake test Jon is referring to would have caught this? Seems like he was underway when this happened. Reminder issues happen as we are driving also.
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So, if someone would review the picture above, is there some kind of air regulator ahead of the brakes that would have a plastic part that looks like that? The wrecker driver might have said it was an air regulator that was leaking. Funny what pops into your head at 5:00 AM!
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That looks like something from one of your relay valves.
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