Monaco DYNASTY 2006, User Manual

Page: 317 / 384

DYNASTY 2006 CHASSIS INFORMATION — SECTION 10 • 317
BRAKE SYSTEMS
Air Brakes
The air brake system on the motorhome differs from a conventional automotive hydraulic braking system and
should be treated differently. Proper maintenance and lubrication are the keys to keeping the air brake system in
proper working order.
The air system supplies air to the foot brake, or treadle valve. Pushing down on the treadle valve supplies an air
charge signal to a sealed brake chamber that consists of a spring and air bladder. The air charge signal pushes on
the bladder and extends a threaded rod connected to the automatic slack adjuster. The slack adjuster rotates the
S-cam expanding the shoes against the drum. Air disc brakes follow much the same principle, with the exception
of the threaded rod directly activating calipers.
Consideration needs to be given to stopping distances and air system pressures. The motorhome requires longer
stopping distances. Each brake application uses air from the air system, and engine speed is directly proportional
to how fast that air system is replenished. Prepare for downhill grades. It may be necessary to select a lower
gear and/or use the engine brake. Use individual short brake applications down long hills, rather than “riding”
the brakes, to extend the life of the brake lining. Avoid overheating the brakes. Hot brakes have less stopping
power. When maneuvering the motorhome around small areas, or backing into spaces, several individual brake
applications might be made. Watch the air gauge. When preparing to back into a space swing the motorhome so it
is aligned with the parking slot before backing up.
The air braking system on the motorhome is equipped with a low air pressure warning system safety feature.
Should a low air condition arise while the vehicle is in operation, a warning buzzer will sound and a dash warning
light will illuminate at approximately 60 to 65 psi (pounds per square inch) to alert the operator.
Park & Emergency Brake System
The Park and Emergency Brake System (Spring Brakes) applies to the rear drive axle only. When the park brake
is applied, air is released from the rear brake chambers, allowing the large spring in each rear brake chamber to
manually push the brake pads against the rotor. The air system must be charged above 35 psi to allow the park
brake to release. Pushing down on the park brake handle charges the rear brake chambers with air pressure,
overriding the emergency brake springs and releasing the brakes. In the event of air loss while the motorhome
is under operation, the park brake will automatically apply (this occurs at approximately 30 psi), acting as an
automatic emergency brake system.
When preparing to depart, allow the air system to achieve full air pressure as indicated by the air gauge needles.
Listen for the air dryer to purge, indicating that the air dryer is functioning. Look and listen for abnormalities.
Abnormal air pressure readings by either needle of the air gauge alerts the operator to have the air system checked
to avoid an untimely failure.
Should a failure occur in the air system, preventing the air pressure from building, it may become necessary to
“cage” the spring brakes (“cage” procedure in
Section 2 Towing Procedures - Disabling Parking Brake
). This
is an emergency procedure only. Caging the rear air brake chambers manually overrides the spring brakes and
allows the motorhome to move. This procedure does not affect normal service braking.
NOTE:
When the park brake is released, the Park illumination lamp will remain lit until air system
pressure is above 65 psi.
WARNING:
If the air tank is not depleted when parked, there is the possibility of an accidental release of
the parking brake. Traveling with small children and/or pets may require a small block to be
fabricated to prevent accidental release. The block should be placed under the knob on the
dash panel. A wooden clothes pin clasped at the base of the shaft will work.