Where to go to put air in tires
Posted by HumanVsWorld@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 40 comments
This is My 1st winter/fall. Woke up this morning steers are at 85 assuming because of the cold but after driving they go to around 98-100. Do I need to put air in them if so where at ?
kane_eightee@reddit
I can’t believe I have to actually say this to a “professional driver” but always check tire pressure when the tires are COLD.
As for where to add pressure, go to a damn truck stop. Some fuel islands still have functioning air. If not, go inside the truck stop and spend $30 on an inflation line. Comes complete with glad-hand on one end and a tire valve on the other.
NyteReflections@reddit
This take is fucking WILD.
Yes we are "professional" drivers by name only. No one, not a single, fuckin, company, person or official is out here teaching us how to do anything But the bare ass minimum.
I got my CDL to drive, because that's what I'm actually good at, DRIVING. I didn't realize I'd have to be a fuckin professional mechanic too and navigator.
My trainer never told me how or where to go to inflate my tires. In fact half the driver's I've read comments from around the web and some mechanics have said to not inflate your own tires because they could blow.
kane_eightee@reddit
And that’s the problem. You should have been taught these things. Your trainer failed you. But the way things are these days, your trainer was probably a trainee 6-12 months ago, and wasn’t taught by his/her trainer. It’s the mega-carrier way.
I never went to any trucking school, but I was still taught these things by a colleague of mine that let me use his truck to take the test at the weigh station. And you should absolutely have some light mechanical abilities. I may not get paid to fix small shit, but I sure as hell don’t get paid while sitting around for 3+ hours waiting for a repair I can do myself in 10 mins.
NyteReflections@reddit
He was a driver for 3 years, he was just burnt out and I was his last student but yeah the company has no checks and balances to make sure new drivers are fully prepared. We were told that the hub oil is important to check but not how or how to refill it etc. 80% of my training has been self taught 😞
HumanVsWorld@reddit (OP)
lol is that not literally what I just said I did I checked my pressure seen it was low now I’m asking where to go get some air 🥴
kane_eightee@reddit
And I told you where to go get air, so what is the point of your reply?
No_Inflation7432@reddit
There should be a valve on the inside of the wheel.
HumanVsWorld@reddit (OP)
lol ik where the stems are I’m asking where to go to get the air
flynnfx@reddit
Open stems, BLOW!
Problem solved.
Seriously though, you can get something like this and never worry about air again.
Kaethor@reddit
Almost every truck stop has air pumps
Madmagician1303@reddit
Loves have air at the pumps
Dezzolve@reddit
Brother look around, I’d bet your surrounded by it right now.
SacrededRat@reddit
Not a trucker, but a mechanic.
I wouldn't recommend adding more air to your tires. If you suddenly get a warm day, the additional air in your tires could over expand and pop the tire.
vault151@reddit
85 psi is low as hell though.
SacrededRat@reddit
True, it is. I'd recommend bringing thr pressure up to 89 or 90, and then off-gassing it later.
FreeAndRedeemed@reddit
Absolutely not. 100-110 cold.
driverman42@reddit
Maybe on a car. Semi steers are almost always at least 100 cold.
SacrededRat@reddit
Good to note
Waisted-Desert@reddit
There is zero reason to not fill a tire to it's rated capacity when cold.
HowlingWolven@reddit
85 cold on a steer makes me squirm.
HowlingWolven@reddit
Buy yourself one of the orange inflation hoses and chuck it into your jockey box. Then the answer to ‘where can I get air’ becomes ‘the red air line’, no matter where you are.
85 on a steer is a bit lower than I’d be comfortable with. They really want to be at about a buck five cold, or 110 if you’ve got a 13200 lbs steer axle and 6600 lbs wheels.
FreeAndRedeemed@reddit
Great answer.
Borbygoymoss@reddit
25 ft air hose with a gladhand coupler and a air chuck. I keep a second 25 ft hose for the trailer as well but I prefer handling 25ft instead of 50 most of the time
Tan_Summer4531@reddit
Valve stem.
hera_the_destroyer@reddit
Remember to take deep breaths before blowing.
DrSideShowbob@reddit
Yeah buy the hose from truckstop. Most air lines at pumps are broken and its a pain. I think its under $50 and if ya have points use um. I have helped not only myself get back on the road but many others as well.
derpmcturd@reddit
Dont go anywhere other than to a ta/loves, inside, to buy an orange inflation hose that connects to your red gladhand. You'll never need to run around to find an air hose ever again with this, because youll get free unlimited air from connecting it to your red line.
Responsible_CDN_Duck@reddit
The focus is on operating pressure. If it's right at operating temps it's right.
HumanVsWorld@reddit (OP)
Is a 100 normal ? I seen others say 120
driverman42@reddit
Read the sidewall. All the info you need is right there. Steers are usually 100-110 cold. 85 is too soft.
Waisted-Desert@reddit
No. Tires are rated for cold air pressure. They are engineerd to handle the air expansion when they heat due to use. That's why it's stamped COLD on the sidewall of every tire. It's doesn't say operating temperature, it doesn't say kinda warmish or hot. It says COLD.
https://www.acmetires.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Cold_pressure-1.jpg
Cheekoteh@reddit
Just go to Loves and have them do it.
Lifeofthedon@reddit
Any pilot or loves truck stop have free air at every fuel island pump
MostOriginalNameEver@reddit
Get a glad hand hose. Don't know why it's not mandatory to have em
Waisted-Desert@reddit
We're just assuming OP drives a combo, but yeah everyone with a trailer which has air brakes should have a hose.
Ornery_Ads@reddit
Here you go:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Inflator-with-2-5-0Ah-Batteries-and-Charger-2848-20-48-59-1852B/326514175
SupaDupaSweaty@reddit
This is the way.
Can air up all 18 tires in about 45 mins on one big battery if you only have to add 10-20psj. Takes about 5 mins to air up about 60psi. And your hands and glutes don’t have cramps afterwards!
I do suggest getting valve extensions for inside duals. Not just for this, but in general. Makes your job 10x easier on every pre/post trip
Ok-Account-7660@reddit
Read your sidewall for max cold pressure its not like a car where you go by the sticker on the door.
Generally we run steers at 100 minimum and drives at 110, ymmv especially if you haul heavy.
You should be able to get air at most truck stops or have a glad hand hose made up with an air chuck on one end and a glad hand on the other. Hook the hose to your red air line for the trailer and release the trailer brakes, make sure your hose is about 50' to reach trailer tires.
No_Inflation7432@reddit
Nooo. Mechanic? You need to verify. Most steers are 110 cold. Obviously if the weather is cooler, that is going down some. But your real indicator is that you drove on them, and they were low. So steer pressure is at the top of the list for being correct. Who maintains your truck? Company shop or outside tech? They should help you. Your tractor should have the psi for steers on fender or a data plate. Call your shop. They are your friend.
I check my equipment every time I drive. Sometimes I check more stuff than other times. I don't put my truck on the road without putting a tire gauge on my steers or visual on my locking Jaws.
No_Inflation7432@reddit
I was joking. Any truck stop. If they are not working, and they have a shop go there. You new? Save your fuel points and buy a hose and valve that goes on your air line. It's super good insurance...
Yes. Your steers should probably be well above what you mentioned.