Questions…
I don’t have an air ride so just asking.
1. Does your tank bleed off while sitting?
2. Do you deplete your air bags when setting up/leveling?
I can only relate to my shops air compressor, but I would think you could increase tank volume (another tank), add shutoff valve at the tank. While stopped close the valve and retain air pressure. When ready to go, open valve, air up and go.
I’m probably missing something.
The first thing you do went leveling is dump the air bags (usually automatic) so the jacks don’t have to lift any more than necessary. So every time you start up to hit the road, you have to let the bags refill to return to ride height.
Regarding leaks, most vehicles with air brakes do drain down on their own and there are allowable limits for this, but if the system is in good shape, leak down is minimal. That said, it takes quite a bit of air to refill the bags and you don’t want to leave without full tanks, but filling them takes less than five minutes.
As for adding to or modifying the system, it’s pretty much hands off except for repairs and professional mods like HWH active air. I would never recommend anyone tinkering with their air brake system unless they had a lot of mechanical experience with air brakes - too much at stake and the design is DOT mandated and all that.
There are three tanks on standard brake systems and sufficient CFM from the compressor, so it’s more a matter of understanding the system and its limitations. There’s also not a lot of room left under the rig after build out so an additional tank would probably have to go in a compartment somewhere. It’s an interesting thought though and would definitely have its uses. Hmmmm…..
Thinking about it I can see exactly where another tank could be located, how it would safely connect to the system, what valving would be necessary, and yes depending on tank size, it could allow very quick air bag filling, as well as having accessory uses. But I’m never in that much of a hurry to bug out and I like a little warm-up time anyway.
I have to put my slides in before starting up or else shut down to put them in which I’m disinclined to do (they are locked out when the key is on), so for me it’s slides in while still level, stow the jacks, then start and air up while warming up a bit, during which time I perform the various idiot checks. Then off I go - expeditions enough.
