Trailer air brakes

[JJT]

Recently got a new trailer with air brakes (see new toy thread). Never had anything to do with air brakes before, how long should the tank stay pressured up when not in use? This trailer looses all pressure within about 24hrs. Is this normal? I would have thought it would have lasted longer than that. Not that it really matters that much. Just can't hear/see any obvious leaks.

 

[KB6930]

Our Stewart will loose all pressure in leas than 2hrs once dropped off can't hear anything obvious but never went looking either

 

[TripleSix]

Yeah we've some that lose air in a day, some hold it for weeks...

Just be aware that as they lose air the brakes actually come off so apply the handbrake!

 

[Lakesdigger]

Shouldn't lose air that quick imho but it's not too difficult to check all joints. Bit of warm water in a bucket add a bit of fairy liquid and mix up till you get a heap of froth and put it on any joints with your hand you'll fast find any leaks.

 

[Lakesdigger]

And as handy as it may be tis the reason you shouldn't rely on the air brakes as a parking brake.

 

[Chae1]

Yeah we've some that lose air in a day, some hold it for weeks...

Just be aware that as they lose air the brakes actually come off so apply the handbrake!

I thought the idea was if you lost air pressure on the road the brakes came on!?

Our trailers won't move until air pressure builds up.

But then you dump air when going from air to hydraulic to get trailer to move. I'm confused.

What type do you have?

 

[davidroberts30]

I thought the idea was if you lost air pressure on the road the brakes came on!?

Our trailers won't move until air pressure builds up.

But then you dump air when going from air to hydraulic to get trailer to move. I'm confused.

What type do you have?

lorry brakes are sprung on need pressure to release (failsafe on)
ag air are slightly different
the tank holds a reserve for failsafe
brakes wont work until over 4bar in them
you have no brakes with no bar in them

 

[michael N123]

Yeah we've some that lose air in a day, some hold it for weeks...

Just be aware that as they lose air the brakes actually come off so apply the handbrake!

Thought the brakes come on with no air

 

[Exfarmer]

Thought the brakes come on with no air

you would not be able to move the trailer if the tractor had not got airbrakes. So ag trailers are pressure on then you can move them by opening the valve top release the pressure.