Good morning. I'd like to get some feedback from those of you that use the TPMS systems that have the sensors that screw on to the valve stems.
I bought the TST TPMS for our previous rig, and I never really got it setup right. Nothing against their product. I had the flexible valve stem extensions riveted to the hub for the rear duals, and the setup was so finicky, that it drove us crazy. The fronts were fine, but after two different RV service departments, and my own handiwork still resulted in slow leaks, false zero pressures, and frustration with the rears.
Again, I'm not bashing TST. I think it's a good product, but now we've got the new rig, and I'd like to set it up right or not at all. I have metal valve stems on all six, but they're short. The rear inners came with short flexible extenders.
I will contact TST for their recommendations, but I'd like any thoughts y'all might have.
Do you screw the sensors directly to the stems (no extensions)? How do you get back into the dual rears?
Do you use extensions? How did you set these up so that they read without leaking?
Our rv has the Borg one-piece metal dually valve stems which extend beyond the outer rim for both inner and outer tires of the rear duals. I screw on the TST TPMS sensors to the metal valve stems. No extensions. TPMS sensors should only be used with solid metal valve stems due to the extra spinning mass. At 60 MPH your tires are rotating 12 times/sec.
I usually attach them only for long trips since they do take some time to attach and remove. The batteries last longer if you remove the sensors when not in use.
* This post was
edited 07/07/12 08:59pm by vikrv *
My new to me Class C Winnebago Minnie Winnie was purchased in December 2011. I used Pressure Pro TPMS and TireMan metal valve stems. Can't say enough good about Duane Sprague at Pressure Pro and Chuck Carvitto at Tireman. The sensors stay on all the time. I am very pleased with both products. Good Luck!!!
Mike LeBlanc, "The Digital Guy"
Professional Photographer, Retired Art Educator
Sour Lake, Texas
Which Wheels do you have? Ford went from 4 oblong hand holes many years ago and most of us are puttimg up with 8 round finger holes. I understand they went back to 4 real usefule hand holes recently.
Next, Which Valve Stems do you have?
If I had 4-hand-hole wheels AND Metal Stems, I think I'd try just putting the TPMS caps on straight up. You can get a hand and a tire gauge/chuck in there when you need to.
But if it has rubber stems now, 'High Pressure Type" or not, I'd suggest going straight to the custom formed brass (chromed if you like) kit from Borg or TireMan.
Disclaimer: I don't have TPMS. What I DO have is years of reading others' frustrations with anything but Borg or TM stems, supported by my own experience. Old RV had short metal stems and 4 real hand holes. It was easy. New RV has 8-hole wheels and arrived with rubber stems. Miserable till I installed a Borg ("Dually Valve") set. I also have "air through" Gator V2B caps. With that combo, I check all six in under a minute. I also checked them last week and haven't had to add air since LAST YEAR. TireMan kits include those caps.
Some of us have found a truck tire shop that customized stock stems to do the same job as TM/Borg for much less money. I started out that way and no joy where I tried.
If you want TPMS you're more of a perfectionist than I am. Build your system on a perfectionist base.
God Bless, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100
so far i am having good luck with the rubber stems that were in the wheels when we bought the rv almost 2 years ago. it was crazy trying to either check the tire pressure or put the sensors on the stems (8-hole rims), so i installed 3" straight and 135-degree bent extenders on the rubber stems. i know, bad idea. no leaks, no issues. however, when we replace the tires in a few years i will get brass stems. but i will still use the metal extenders so swapping tires after a flat will not be an issue. btw, tyredog tpms from pacific duallies, also no issues.
1999 Winnebago Minnie, 29', Triton V10, mostly stock. So far...
I first put on Alcoa alloys which came with metal stems, the interior rear replaced rubber eith metal stems. The TST works just fine. I leave them on all the time since we can use our rig all year long.
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