How do you add air to trailer tires without air inlet ports?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by expedite_it, Feb 28, 2023.

  1. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    Sometimes I get trailer tires that don't have air inlet ports to add air to the tire. Below is a photograph of such a tire: trailer tire.jpg

    These trailer tires without air inlet ports are always tandem tires, and there are always white tubes going from the hub oil seal to the inner tire on these trailer tires without air inlet ports. The only way I know of to check the air pressure on these tires is by thumping the tread with a hammer. There is no air inlet port to use a tire air pressure gauge. One time I had a trailer tire without an air inlet port like in the picture above, and the inner trailer tire was low on air. I didn't know how to add air to the trailer tire. If the outer tire was low on air, I wouldn't be able to add air to the outer tire either.

    How can a person add air to a trailer tire in the photograph above?
     
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  3. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    Those white hoses attach to the valve stem on each tire, it looks like an auto-inflate system. Start the truck push red button in it should bring it up to 100 psi or whatever it is set to. Takes a few minutes, but works great. If it isn't inflating them, look for a hand valve maybe a dial somewhere at the front of your tandems, mine are inside a small box, can turn it off with the valve or turn the dial to change psi. If you are determined to use a tire gauge, you could unscrew the white hoses off. Do you have a light usually on the front left of your trailer, about where a reefer would have its lights, and does it light up with key on and red button in?
     
  4. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    That is an automatic air inflation system. It is designed to keep your tires inflated to proper pressure. If you have a leak there should be a white light at the front left corner of your trailer. If that's not on, you should be good to go.
     
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  5. Lyle H

    Lyle H Road Train Member

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    Are you the guy that was drawing all the pictures about turn angles in another thread?
    With 12 years experience?
     
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  6. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    By "red button", do you mean the red brake valve?

    I have the light. The light does not light up with the key on and red button in.
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  7. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    If you click on my screen name, a new menu will pop up. Put the cursor over the number of messages I have made, and then click your mouse on that number. That will give you a list of all the messages that I've made. Then go back through my old posts to see if I drew pictures in other threads. If you'll read my previous posts, you will also find out how many years of experience I have. I will give you a hint though: It's less than 12 years of experience.
     
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  8. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Yes, push in the red valve on the truck dashboard, which is beside the yellow valve. No light = tire pressure OK.
     
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  9. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    Also note the white light is detecting air movement, not so much it inflating tires. So when you first hook up and the air tanks are empty, that light may be on for a few minutes while the tanks and suspension all equalize with the tractor.
     
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  10. Lyle H

    Lyle H Road Train Member

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    Sorry , it was only around 8 years.
    Still makes me wonder the true purpose of the threads you create.
    After over 8 years of driving you have no idea how this works?
    I don’t believe you.
     
    Bud A., InTooDeep, Bean Jr. and 5 others Thank this.
  11. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    I don't care what you believe.
     
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