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mike3939
Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 09/08/2001
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Go for the metal. While the tires are broke down have them balanced and rotated(if needed). The extensions are just a temporary fix. Pressure should be checked at least monthly. Most tires will loose a pound or two a month and with the weight or most RVs tire pressure is important.
Very Respectfully
Mike WX5MG
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BillC
Colorado
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Joined: 04/29/2002
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Mike,
I agree that you should have the tires rebalanced when the tires are broken down to install the metal valve stems. I had my wheels rebalanced when I had my rubber valve stems replaced with metal ones. I don't understand what you mean by "The extensions are just a temporary fix." Mine certainly are not. They are the final solution to my problem of not being able to access my valve stems on the dual rear wheels. You mention that "Pressure should be checked at least monthly." This is true when the unit is in storage. When you are traveling on a trip it is recommended that the air pressure be checked at the beginning of each day on the road when the tires are cold. After driving 300 or more miles a day, how do you know you haven't picked up a nail and have a slow leak that could leave you with one tire seriously under inflated on the next day of travel? Checking the air pressure is easy. With the extenders it only takes about five minutes to check all six tires. As you mentioned, RV tire pressure is very important and should not be ignored for long periods of time.
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Brent Hunt
San Diego, CA, USA
Full Member
Joined: 05/19/2002
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I had Discount Tire install short, steel valve stems on both the inner and outer tires for $44.95 out the door.
While the tires were off and after the new steel stems were installed I installed 135 degree metal extender on the two outside wheels.
For the inside wheels I use a eight inch piece of vacuum or gas tubing slightly smaller than the valve stem cap and push it on the valve cap, unscrew the cap and leave it in the tubing. Using a seven inch rubber extender, I can check and inflate the inner wheel. I then remove the extender and store it with my 12V inflater pump (Walmart: $39.99)
When I'm done I screw on the stem cap, that is still in the tubing, back on the inner valve stem.
This eliminates leaving the extender on and risking a leak. I can also use any kind of air pump tip that may be available from any tire company or truck stop as well as my cordless, portable air pump.
Work for me :-)
eyebowl@softhome.net
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daleprax
Apple Valley, MN
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Joined: 08/10/2002
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Is there any way to tighten the inner dual valve stem without having to take off the outer dual tire. I have had a couple of flats on the inside dual and it seems to always be caused by a loose inner dual valve stem!
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arc_weld
Prattville, AL
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Joined: 08/10/2002
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Dual Wheel Blow Out - Valve Extenders can be more trouble than you think ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/frown.gif "frown")
I have a 2000 31N Fourwinds. I purchased it four months ago from a retired rver with 7500 miles on it. We have had no real issues except for two tire failures on the rear duals.
July 2002
We are running Firestone Steeltex on all six wheels and I check our tire pressures before every departure. The inner dual on the driver's side failed. The tread cap peeled completly off. Firestone replaced it.
July 2002
During our trip to Florida, our outer dual went flat. The valve stem was nearly torn from the rim.
My Findings
Upon visiting a local RV parts supplier, I learned you shouldn't run valve extenders on combination brass and rubber vavle stems. HP600
Further, the installaion of the extenders is very important. Mine were installed incorrectly putting more stress on the rubber valve stems.
I installed new HP600s in all six of my wheels as of yesterday. I purchased some 135 degree extenders but they also made me nervous, so I didn't install them. I was afaid of them getting loose and causing a flat.
From my view point, there are only three solutions:
- Do Nothing, check your air pressure with a special tire gauge for truck tires. Purchase a special fill hose nozzle to add air pressure.
- Convert the rear tires to metal valve stems that are longer that allow easy access to add air and check pressure - BUT you can not rotate tires after the conversion. I found this site which has this type valve stems
http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~tire-man/valve.html" >
http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~tire-man/valve.html
- Convert all tires to metal vavle stems and install a good air valve extenders on the rear tires. I found this site to have many different steel valve stems
http://www.permoseal.com/valves-pass/metal.htm" >
http://www.permoseal.com/valves-pass/metal.htm
Best of Luck,
Michael
2000 Fourwinds 31N
2002 Cheve Tailblazer Toad
*This Message was edited on 11-Aug-02 07:42 AM by arc_weld*
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