The way I consider my TPMS>
Simplicity-and-ease: I don't have to start the compressor and pull out hoses and air-gun, then take the 4 wheel simulators off to check tire pressure. The TPMS usually tells me no action is needed. Niiiice...
Day-to-day practicallity: the knowledge it provides will help minimize cost and hassle by providing reliable tire pressure and temp, which WILL improve the chances of my tires living a long life.
Avoiding-the-Big-One: The continuous monitoring will improve the chances a tire will not surprise me with a blow-out on the highway. My family members and I stand a better chance of living a long life. Niiiiicer.....
Mark, Jean, Paul & Lizzy (the mutt)
1997 Fleetwood Southwind Storm 34LS
Thirsty, noisy & clunky. She ain't pretty, but she sure is fun! "Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines." Enzo Ferrari
Quote: Posted By: Diplomat Don on 03/27/12 03:36pm
I think if you feel comfortable with having a tire monitor that is great. For those that say its a blowout preventer are stretching the facts.
Don, the word "prevent" has only been used in the situation where a tire is slowing losing air and the temp rises causing the tire to blow. I don't think anyone has said that it will prevent an instantaneous blowout that was cased by road hazard or defective tire.
I think you're the one that is stretching the facts.
Ron
Exactly. While it is possible to hit something in the road significant enough to destroy a tire right then and there, that is much less likely than a leak down due to a puncture. That leak down will sound either a low pressure alarm or high temp alarm prior to failure and that WILL save you from a blowout.
Anybody who thinks a good pressure/temp monitor isn't worth the money is kidding themselves to save a few bucks.
2007 Monaco Dynasty Emperor IV
2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
After a lot of research, we bought the TST (Truck Systems Technology) product.
On our first RV, we had a rear inside dually blowout. It took out a bunch of electrical wires with it. Pretty expensive to repair. Pretty remarkable to experience. Would rather not experience it again.
This explains why we decided to get TPMS in 2006 and we have been well severed as we have been alerted to low tires on three occasions. I have to admit I know use the TPMS for a routine check rather than pulling out the tire gauge. Even though I get different readings between the two but the TPMS are correlated against the tire gauge so on the road I know gauge pressure. We use an IR gun to measure temperature. I use the tire gauge and reinstall the TPMS before each trip no matter how short or how long. We have not had a sensor failure in the last 6 years and we do use a repeater in the back of the MH.
rolnhome wrote: How important are they to have? Are they necessary or a helpful tool?
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I recently installed a TPMS from EEZRV and I am happy with it. Expensive? Yes! But then so is insurance! I consider it an insurance policy, especially for the toad since if thereis a blow-out back there I probably won't feel it. I also invested lots of money for a Steer-Safe and feel good about that too!
2004 Damon Intruder 369W Workhorse Chassis
Mods: LCD TV in Bedroom, Steer-Safe, Winegard Wingman, Bulk LP Gas Adapter for my Camp Chef Grill, Cobra 29 LX LE CB 50th Anniversary Radio with a 3' Firestick NGP Antenna, EEZRV Products TPMS
Comment on the $5 tire gauge. Why bother? it is not only inaccurate, it is probably not consistent. I have a $30 tire gauge that reads 10 psi high after a few knocks and falls, but it is consistently 10 high so when it reads 105 I know it reads 95 (have checked it against known accurate gauges).
I have a $5 gauge or three, I wonder why I don't just pitch them, oh right I -use them for bike tires and I am neither a race nor an off road rider where accurate tire pressure might make difference, Approximate is good enough.
Paul
Trucking down the road in our new Phaeton 36QSH on Freightliner Chassis with a Cummins 380 pushing it. 2011 Cherry Red Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with US Gear Unified Tow Brake System. Check out my blog
FMCA 352081 SKP# 99526
lanerd wrote: Say you're going down the highway at the speed limit enjoying the scenery and lovin' your free lifestyle. You checked the tire pressure of all 10 of your tires before starting out and feel very confident that they are all in great shape.
Unfortunately, and unknown to you, you're inner right dual just picked up a large nail (or something) that punctured the tire and is allowing it to deflate very gradually and will eventually lose all of its air and will, in all probably, break its bead on the rim and then will start to flop around. It will then very quickly, and literally, come apart wrapping around whatever is within its reach. Brake lines, hydraulic hoses, electrical cables, fiberglass, wheel well covers, ect will not be any match for the destructive power of that tire.
You can well imagine what kind of damage that tire could cause and how big a bite out of your wallet it will generate.
Now don't forget that the partner to that deflating dual is now supporting all that extra weight. That, unfortunately, can damage that tire and could possibly fail at a later date.
Now if the tire exploded immediately after being punctured, chances are you may not hear or feel it (especially if it is one of the tires on your toad). You can possibly continue to travel along until somebody pulls up next to you waving frantically and honking their horn trying to get your attention. That distance you travel until someone gets you to understand what's going on will also provide sufficient amount of time for that exploded tire to do the damage mentioned above.
Of course, if you had a TPMS, it would have alerted you to the pressure loss almost immediately allowing you you safely pull over and determine the problem....saving you untold amounts of $$.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Ron
Once these monitors are installed on the tire stems, how much of a hassle is it to put air in the tires if the pressure is found out to be low? How often do tires need additional air if there is no problem with the tires?
lanerd wrote: Say you're going down the highway at the speed limit enjoying the scenery and lovin' your free lifestyle. You checked the tire pressure of all 10 of your tires before starting out and feel very confident that they are all in great shape.
Unfortunately, and unknown to you, you're inner right dual just picked up a large nail (or something) that punctured the tire and is allowing it to deflate very gradually and will eventually lose all of its air and will, in all probably, break its bead on the rim and then will start to flop around. It will then very quickly, and literally, come apart wrapping around whatever is within its reach. Brake lines, hydraulic hoses, electrical cables, fiberglass, wheel well covers, ect will not be any match for the destructive power of that tire.
You can well imagine what kind of damage that tire could cause and how big a bite out of your wallet it will generate.
Now don't forget that the partner to that deflating dual is now supporting all that extra weight. That, unfortunately, can damage that tire and could possibly fail at a later date.
Now if the tire exploded immediately after being punctured, chances are you may not hear or feel it (especially if it is one of the tires on your toad). You can possibly continue to travel along until somebody pulls up next to you waving frantically and honking their horn trying to get your attention. That distance you travel until someone gets you to understand what's going on will also provide sufficient amount of time for that exploded tire to do the damage mentioned above.
Of course, if you had a TPMS, it would have alerted you to the pressure loss almost immediately allowing you you safely pull over and determine the problem....saving you untold amounts of $$.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Ron
Once these monitors are installed on the tire stems, how much of a hassle is it to put air in the tires if the pressure is found out to be low? How often do tires need additional air if there is no problem with the tires?
I have gone a full 2 years without having to add any air to my tires. The best thing is the Digital read out I get is accurate versus the high priced gauge that I use. I am sure that every situation will be different but this what I have found. Even though the cold temperature may be a little low depending on the outside ambient temperature, I know from experience the tire will be up to operating temperature and pressure just a few miles down the road. You will soon know the results of your monitors and how your tires are operating after just a few trips and will know when you need to make adjustments.
Once these monitors are installed on the tire stems, how much of a hassle is it to put air in the tires if the pressure is found out to be low? How often do tires need additional air if there is no problem with the tires?
Removing a sensor is not much different than removing a valve cap in most cases. TST sensors do have theft resistant caps that require using a simple little tool to remove them, but it still only takes a few seconds. With no leaks, it could be many months before you need to add more air.
After having a leaking valve stem (inner dual 22.5) I went for safety and just bought a TST507. It was easy to install and program. I like the fact that now I just check the gauge before leaving each trip no more dirty fingers.
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