SuiteSuccess Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Was meaning to ask this after I got back from the rally in Kansas but slipped my mind. We overnighted in a couple of campgrounds going and coming from Kansas without unhooking from the truck. Noticed just about every time we did this in the middle of the night I would hear a "pop" several times that was loud enough to awaken me. Usually about 8 hours or so after we stopped. I did not put any legs down but did put the slides out. One time got up at 3 am (wife loved that) and went outside to look at the ET and my suspension to see if I could isolate it. Even shook the trailer but could not reproduce it. My truck loses most of its air in about 6-8 hours (my project for spring). Could not find anything of note other than ET was down. Two questions: 1. Am I hurting anything (air bags) in the ET by leaving 3500 lbs pin weight on it with it deflated? 2. Any thoughts on the pop? BTW I have no front cap separation or cracking that would lead me to believe it is a frame issue on the trailer or a king pin problem. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Carl, I always release the brakes on my trailer when parked like this and still hooked up. It stops the popping while it is being slowly deflated, and doesn't cause any tension. Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted January 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Carl, I always release the brakes on my trailer when parked like this and still hooked up. It stops the popping while it is being slowly deflated, and doesn't cause any tension.You just undo the umbilical from the truck? That makes sense for explaining the pops. On second edit. Guess I'm a little confused Rocky (not unusual these days!) but when the truck is not running, are the brakes on the trailer engaged when the umbilical is attached? 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adept99 Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Suite; Put the front feet down - lightly. Cheap, easy, quick & doesn't risk the ET bags. Just don't forget to pick 'em up before pulling out. Paul Paul & Paula + Daisy the amazing wiggle worm dog... 2001 Volvo 770 Autoshift, Singled, w/ Aluminum Bed - Toy Draggin 2013 395AMP XLR Thunderbolt Toy Hauler 2013 Smart Passion 2012 CanAm Spyder RT 2013 Harley Davidson Street Glide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 If the airbags deflate though, he'll be carrying the rear axle weight of the truck on the pin overstressing the frame. Or is there enough stretch in the air bags for this not to be a problem? Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hone eagle Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 The truck rolls forward as the bags deflate,is the trailer chocked? Could be a tug of war going on,I don't chock . 2005 volvo 670 freedomline singledNewmar Torrey Pine 34rskswoot woot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Carl, I'm not willing to take chance on hanging my truck from the pin when the truck suspension deflates. I always unhitch. Now I may only pull away 2 inches, but if all the tires, airbags, etc went flat overnight, the truck wouldn't be suspended in the air by its hitch. MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick & Alana Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 I do what Big5er does. Rick and Alana Fulltimers 2018 Newmar Ventana 4037 2020 Jeep Gladiator 1997 Jeep TJ 2009 Mobile Suites 36RSSB3 formerly owned 2000 Volvo 770, 600 Cummins ISX,18 speed autoshift, 14 foot "garage" ET,Jackalopee,MaxBrake,Pressure Pro pro www.rickandalanasgreatadventures.blogspot.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis M Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 I do what Big5er does. Same here, only takes a few minutes to unhook & level. Dennis & NancyTucson, AZ in winter, on the road in summer.1999 Volvo 610 "Bud" 425 HP Volvo, Super 10 spd.2005 Mountain Aire 35 BLKS2013 smart fortwo CityFlame riding on Bud(Replaced '05 smart first loaded in '06 and '11 smart that gave it's life to save me!)Our Travel Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 We too always detach the trailer. We want the trailer level to extend the slides and that would mean hanging the truck on the pin. We had problem our first night out jamming one of the slides when we tried to retract the slide from the torque of the truck hanging. It just isn't that much time to reconnect compared to the possible problems. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil D Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 You just undo the umbilical from the truck? That makes sense for explaining the pops. On second edit. Guess I'm a little confused Rocky (not unusual these days!) but when the truck is not running, are the brakes on the trailer engaged when the umbilical is attached? Rocky has BluDot, and pulling the yellow button to set the truck brakes will apply the trailer brakes as well, until the trailer's air tank is purged to release them. That's not a concern on a trailer with electric brakes. Phil 2002 Teton Royal Aspen 2003 Kenworth T2000 - Cat C12 380/430 1450/1650, FreedomLine, 3.36 - TOTO . . . he's not in Kansas anymore. ET Air Hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickW Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 I drop the legs and release the hitch. By morning I have lost air to both hitch and truck. The hitch moves forward away from the trailer. Start truck in morning and pin goes right back in to hitch. Just a bump to lock it in position and we are ready to go. 2017 Entegra Anthem 44A SOLD - 2004 Volvo 780. 465hp and 10sp Auto Shift (from 2010~2017) SOLD - 2009 Montana 3400RL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raquel Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Maybe we should rethink. Like Suite, we often just park, leaving the trailer on the truck without any problems. We don't open the slides except maybe the kitchen just 3 or 4 inches to get into the pantry. Everything else is accessible. We do make sure the umbilical is unplugged from the truck, and we get no popping. Trish & Raquel -------- "Road Runner" -- 2005 Volvo VNL780, 500hp Cummins ISX, Ultra-Shift, ET-Hitch, 198" wb "Wile E." -- 2013 Heartland Landmark San Antonio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted January 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Carl, I'm not willing to take chance on hanging my truck from the pin when the truck suspension deflates. I always unhitch. Now I may only pull away 2 inches, but if all the tires, airbags, etc went flat overnight, the truck wouldn't be suspended in the air by its hitch. Yes Phil that's why I don't put my legs down. So one more question. Are you "unhitchers" doing it in WalMarts or other non-campground overnight stops? 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIBERNUT Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 I have discs on the trailer. Bludot says dump trailer air, not good for discs locked up that long. 2000 Volvo 635 A/S, N-14 Cummins"The Phoenix"'03 KA 38KSWB http://s918.photobucket.com/user/sibernut/library/?sort=6&page=1Furkids- Sibe's CH. Sedona & Tseika Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hone eagle Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 I have never felt the trailer as stable as when hooked to the truck- the ultimate 'tripod' 2005 volvo 670 freedomline singledNewmar Torrey Pine 34rskswoot woot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 I turn off the truck and done. But, we don't have slides. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the sailor Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 I always unhook, does not take that long and no problems.... the sailor & his Lady 1998 Volvo 610 "Big Red" 2006 Newmar Kountry Aire "Mother Goose" 2013 Smart Car "Lil' Red" " If you aren't living on the edge, you are just taking up space " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEIFamily Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 We normally travel about 10 days a year by dry parking overnight on our route as most campgrounds up north are closed when we have a chance to leave, Usually do not see a open campground until MO. on our way down midwest. We used to just drop the front jacks to take enough weight of our F350s hitch and park overnight like that. Our airbags on our volvo do drop overnight, wouldn't it be fine to leave the legs UP and just let the trailer move down with the truck if the bags dropped? I would perfer NOT to unhitch if I could help it. Maybe Henry will chime in and let us know if we do any damage by having the pin weight on the hitch with no air. 2006 Volvo 670 singled long 2011 Heartland Sundance 3300CK 2006 Smart passion 2001 F350 DRW CREWCAB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 No problem deflating ET all the way down. The hard stops (down and up) on the ET are set up to be above and below the bags' minimum and maximum height specs. Putting legs down attached to the truck is a bad juju, particularly on a "leaky" truck. Truck goes down during the night but the legs don't go down with it. ET has 2 inches of travel in the up direction, your truck will go down 4.5 inches before it reaches suspension hard stop. It will reach ET's upper hard stops long before it reaches Volvo's hard stops. Next thing you know and you are hanging substantial amount of 18,000 pound truck from the rig's king pin via ET's upper stops. The upper stops are tough but I don't recommend it. Leave the legs up and let things leak and settle on the lower stops of the ET and the truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Yes Phil that's why I don't put my legs down. So one more question. Are you "unhitchers" doing it in WalMarts or other non-campground overnight stops? If my slides come out, the jacks are down and the the trailer is level and unhitched. That includes an overnight stop in an rv park. If I am staying in a parking lot then I am not staying long enough to bother with the slides, I sleep in the truck. I have a bed, dining table,TV, a microwave, and a refrigerator. MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted January 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Thank everyone for the responses. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickW Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Are you "unhitchers" doing it in WalMarts or other non-campground overnight stops? Yes. If legs go down the jaws are opened on the hitch. As the truck settles the truck and trailer separate. 2017 Entegra Anthem 44A SOLD - 2004 Volvo 780. 465hp and 10sp Auto Shift (from 2010~2017) SOLD - 2009 Montana 3400RL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 You just undo the umbilical from the truck? That makes sense for explaining the pops. On second edit. Guess I'm a little confused Rocky (not unusual these days!) but when the truck is not running, are the brakes on the trailer engaged when the umbilical is attached? Sorry Carl. Just returned from 1st of 4 trips into Mexico and didn't mark your thread for following. Others have stated what I do. I bleed the emergency tank, and brakes release. No tension on the combo hookup when the truck bags bleed down. Another way to do it is to simply bleed everything down! No more popping throughout the night. Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted January 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Rocky, I think the popping most likely is the truck brakes slipping a bit as the suspension loses air and moves a bit forward with the trailer weight adding to the forward push. This seems to be the most plausible explanation and would fit with the timing of events (always in the middle of the night). Think I'm just going to unhook from now on, much less headaches. In a campground would be a no brainer but, although we have never overnighted at a WalMart or other lot, was thinking unhooking might be a bad idea. Other thing I did not try was chocking the trailer wheels while still hooked up to prevent forward motion. May experiment with that once in daylight and see the results. Thanks again for the help. BTW hope you are still healing. Safe trips and God Bless. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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