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using air brake trailer without compressor on truck

C

carl reitnauer

Member
I just got a trailer that has air brake axles that I want to pull with my dually. It's military surplus,only weighs 2400 lbs. Do DOT regulations require a truck to have a compressor if all air source is a highly pressurized tank? nitrogen is cheap;we run impact wrenches off it to avoid listening to a compressur in the field. This trailer would only get occasional use but would want brakes.I couldn't find out anything online or from our Fl DOT.
 

DOT requirements for the tests that you need to perform pretrip, would make it very hard for just a tank to pass. You need to have an air brake endorsement on your license in order to legally pull an air brake trailer, so I would advise going to your local DMV, pick up the book on CDL, and study it. You will then see how difficult it would be. I could just imagine a DOT inspector telling his boss, "But he promised me that he would stop and recharge the tank every fifty miles".
 
tThis will be pulled just a few miles ata time and
a tank of nitrogen is 2000 psi, with 11 c.ft. It
will run an impact for hours.
 
(quoted from post at 15:33:34 12/12/14) tThis will be pulled just a few miles ata time and
a tank of nitrogen is 2000 psi, with 11 c.ft. It
will run an impact for hours.
Click to expand...

Sounds reasonable to me but you might check with your insurance company.
 
My question is how are you going to control the brakes. Install a hand valve in the truck? Are you going to mount the tank on the truck or the trailer?I have installed a lot of air brake setups on dump trucks and log trucks to pull pups with air brakes and the like but it looks to me like you are going to have to do a lot of plumbing.Does the trailer have spring brakes that have to have air to keep them released? Looks like a lot more is needed than a compressor. Sorry if I am skeptical.
 
You can get copy of FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) rules and regulations at most larger truck stops. Generally $8-$16 / copy. It will be very difficult and expensive to be "DOT Legal" with that setup. Regulations require that brakes on BOTH truck and trailer be activated by foot brake; air supply must refill based on a set volume per minite at idle; low air warning activate (light and/or buzzer) at a set point; Parking /emergency brake activate at low pressure; and the list goes on..... you can set it up to be "functional"; just not in compliance with FMCSA rules and regulations. Having said that; I built a gooseneck a number of years go that I used a semi-truck lowboy axle under. Used an air conditioner compressor for air supply; had a trailer "hand valve" from semi mounted on steering column to operate trailer brakes. FUNCTIONAL BUT NOT LEGAL!!! Would not try that setup for on-highway use this day and time.
 
You are a GENIUS! I can use a york style compressor on an aftermarker bracket and a hydraulic over air valve that I already have. a BIG THANKS!!
 
your welcome (I think). I have been called a lot of things; but; NEVER a genius. The York compressor will work great. Will build more than enough pressure. Since the compressor has no cooling process; I suggest putting it on a toggle switch so it free-wheels when not needed. Compressor will last a lot linger. (maybe here is where I need the "legal disclaimer".)
 
What would it cost to replace the air brakes with brakes that will work with your truck and be legal? In the long run, it might be simpler to trade trailers.
 
Went out today and bought an air brake truck. Insurance will be 4x times what the one ton is. going to haul heavier loads,legally. thanks for the feedback.
 
(quoted from post at 19:32:54 12/13/14) Went out today and bought an air brake truck. Insurance will be 4x times what the one ton is. going to haul heavier loads,legally. thanks for the feedback.
Click to expand...

Good decision!
 
(quoted from post at 04:56:15 12/12/14) I just got a trailer that has air brake axles that I want to pull with my dually. It's military surplus,only weighs 2400 lbs. Do DOT regulations require a truck to have a compressor if all air source is a highly pressurized tank? nitrogen is cheap;we run impact wrenches off it to avoid listening to a compressur in the field. This trailer would only get occasional use but would want brakes.I couldn't find out anything online or from our Fl DOT.
Click to expand...
didn't see if you posted the model of the trailer or not but many of those older single axle trailers are air over hydraulic. You gotta figure out what model yours is but there are actually kits/components out there to convert them into electric over hydraulic or surge brakes. http://www.etrailer.com/question-39917.html
 
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