Question:
How often do you drain the air tanks on your truck and trailer? When was the last time you drained the water from your tanks?
In the summer months you should be draining those tanks at least once a day. In the winter months it is critical that you drain the tanks on your tractor and trailer at least once a day, but two or three times a day is even better.
It does not take a whole lot of moisture in your air lines to cause ice blockages and a whole lot of problems with your braking system and/or suspension.
In addition it would also be advisable for you to specifically request the air dryer be checked and serviced when your truck goes into the shop. Good policy year around, but even more important during the cold weather months.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
I drain mine EVERY DAY and in real cold weather at night when I shut down for the day.

Answer:
Draining the air tanks on both tractor and trailer is very important especially for the company trucks that might not have their air dryers in the best of shape.
Air dryers should be serviced at least yearly. I just bought a delux model that only requires service every 3 years. Unless you have one of these (and on company trucks you will not), you must service them yearly.
Frozen air lines and brakes are only part of the problems you will have if you do not drain the water and service the dryer.
Daytripper
Sometimes you have to dig through a lot horsesh#t to find the pony.

Answer:
I'm a baaaaaad boy.
I pull the cords on the 3 tanks for 2-3 seconds when I fuel, once or twice a week. I never see or hear anything resembling moisture. While I have no doubt that the air dryer will be properly maintained, am I really accomplishing any thing?
I run about 1500 miles a week in Pennsylvania/Ohio. Should I be completely draining the tanks?
Jim---------------------------

Answer:
ALWAYS drain the air tanks during a pre-trip, when fueling, and as someone mentioned, when you park for the night.
I own and drive an older truck, and recently replaced the air dryer.
Some of the best advice to keep you rolling and making money: Get a bypass hose rigged up so you can bypass that air dryer should it malfunction. Learn how to install it, as it is a procedure that can be done in as little as 15 minutes with proper tools.
"Creatin' Chaos- Coast to Coast!", but doin' it safely!
ASE Certified Diesel Technician who found a love for the road!Not liable for any information posted.

Answer:
Sounds like good advice but I'm confused about it - I have also been told that when you drain a pressurized system you can make that system vulnerable to contamination that it wouldn't other wise get. The theory is that in a system that has pressure in it, that pressure will keep anything out of the system, but if there is no pressure, water, oil, or dirt can enter the system - water or oil that has pooled at a fitting for instance. The air pressure will prevent that water or oil from seeping past a fitting or seal.
I can see draining it and then refilling it right away, but I've been told that leaving it drained overnight or all weekend at home can lead to problems.
PP
Keep electing the same kinds of politicians and you will keep getting the same kind of government.
Answer:
Yes, pull the cords on the tractor. No, you don't have to completely drain the tanks. If there is any moisture, it will be at the bottom of the tank and will come right out.
On the trailer, you will have to crawl under and open the petcock on the bottom of the air tank. Just long enough to let any moisture blow out.
Servicing the air dryer will keep it doing it's job which is to not let moisture accumulate.
Daytripper
Sometimes you have to dig through a lot horsesh#t to find the pony.

Answer:

I can see draining it and then refilling it right away, but I've been told that leaving it drained overnight or all weekend at home can lead to problems.
PP
Keep electing the same kinds of politicians and you will keep getting the same kind of government.
What I do is drain the air tanks and let the pressure build back up before shutting the truck down.
Another good thing to do is NEVER set your trailer brakes in the Winter if at all possible, as they can freeze up and not release.
"Creatin' Chaos- Coast to Coast!", but doin' it safely!
ASE Certified Diesel Technician who found a love for the road!Not liable for any information posted.

Answer:
An important note on not setting the trailer brakes.
Make sure you are on a flat surface. If you are not make sure your "Really Warm" tires do not melt through the sticky snow to the ice below. You might just come out of the truck stop and find your truck someplace else.
It doesn't take much, once the tires hit the ice gravity and momentum take over!

Answer:
Even though we have an air dryer, I have the habit of pulling the cords every time I fuel.
Oink! Oink! Oink! Grunt! Grunt!
Answer:
Well, I ain't gonna lie but you all ain't gonna believe Sleepyhead anyway.
The last time my tanks were drained was during a DOT inspection here in California at the Cajon Pass scales. After a dark soot and smell came out, the inspector looks at me and says; "did you know these tanks need to be drained more often" Of course I said "NO"
He was thinking "Dumbazz truck driver"

Answer:
Don't many of the newer trucks have an automatic drainage of the air lines?
Drafter
Keep the wheels rolling

Answer:
Trucker Extrodinaire Capt. Chaos Posts;
Get a bypass hose rigged up so you can bypass that air dryer should it malfunction.
That is a very good idea/recommendation. I never thought of that! I have never seen it on fleet or rental equipment. My hat is off to you!
Yes, pulling the lanyards at every stop is a good idea. If you see moisture expelled heavily, the tanks need to be drained more frequently. And there are automatic bleed-off valves, but they don't preclude draining the tanks on a regular basis, especially while operating in a humid (hot and/or cold) enviroment.
If you notice an oily sludge substance expelled, have the air compressor checked. Once this bypass oil gets into an air system...it will create problems you won't belive, especially in ABS equipped equipment.
Years ago... ...when F-Model Macks were popular fleet equipment, it was not advised to wear good footwear as if the compressor slobbered oil and saturated the tanks, the wiper motors (under the dash) would leak oil on your feet...