Watch your valve stems!!

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by Campin Cajun

I appreciate your comments. You obviously know tires, but we are two examples that one single tire on our dually rears can hold the weight of our coaches. At least for a short period of time. I don't advocate trying it and it is not something either one of us did purposely. We had an experience with tires deflating and are warning other of the possibility.

Not sure if I am understanding your position. Are you saying that you run enough inflation in each of your dual tires to carry half the total axle weight?

The fact that a tire does not fail in just a few miles when in a 100% overload condition does not mean all is OK. There are documented cases of tires failing days, weeks or even months after being damaged frim such overload.

[Campin Cajun]

I run the air pressure Michelin recommends.

And it's been months, actually over a year since that happen to me. Still have the same tires. No problems since. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by Campin Cajun

I run the air pressure Michelin recommends.

And it's been months, actually over a year since that happen to me. Still have the same tires. No problems since. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

X2!!!! Our tires are rated to handle the load and like we posted earlier, our tires are rates much higher than we ever load them and after my shop inspected my tires after my situation, they said no wories!!!

Jason

[dan-nickie]

Of course it is time for a TPMS so you can check your tires every time you start your engine :-)

[Campin Cajun]

Originally Posted by dan-nickie

Of course it is time for a TPMS so you can check your tires every time you start your engine :-)

I got one as a Christmas gift. Installed it and love it!

[Gottawonder]

JTN8, what tires are you running? Sounds a bit low on the fronts at first pass.

Here's a thread where I dove into the math and got some good comments from a guy who designed a spreadsheet to factor in side-to-side weight variance (or the assumption thereof) and calculating a max pressure that still allows for comfort and grip. The goal was to maintain a comfortable ride and not be under-inflated if a tire dropped 3 lbs of air (or in Dan's case, his DW made a scented candle stop.) Dan's initial weights were close to yours and I did a sheet for him on page 2.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ath-64296.html

My guess is if you factor in (potential) side-to-side weight variance and a little reserve you could be running 95 to 100psi on the fronts and still be properly inflated.

Originally Posted by JTN8

Just an FYI to everyone about my small issue. Last night I was getting the camper ready for our trip to Daytona for the 500. My coach weighs in with everything in it and full of gas and a third of water right at 27300 pounds. 10,600 on the front axles and 16,700 on the rear axle. That put my tire pressures according to the good year chart at about 85 to 88 psi all around. I round up to 90 and ensure they are spot on. So as I'm checking the psi and they are all looking good right at 90 until I get to the last tire, my drivers side inner duel. It was reading 30 psi! I took the coach off the leveling jacks and still read 30 psi. I then filled it up to 90psi and this morning it was down to 84 psi! Oh crap I have a leak and I'm leaving in one day! I also thought to myself how long has this tire been this low! I haven't checked them the last 4 or 5 trips! You can't tell by looking at it and the ride never changed since the other three wheels especially the outer one picked up the load (thank god I have a 2014 coach with the beefed up suspension with the larger tires and with my weight the tire was able to hold it)!!! So I take it to a local tire shop (for big rigs) and it ended up being my valve stem. They said it is common for them to vibrate and get loose to the point they will leak very slowly. So new valve stem with labour $35!! Got off pretty lucky and cheap!

Moral of the story, always check your tire pressures and valve stems! Sorry so long but I wanted to share my experience. Now I'm off to Daytona in the AM and will be at the track for about 9 days. If anyone is down there feel free to stop by!

Jason


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

2014 Berkshire 390BH
2011 cadillac SRX

[edgewant]

I had a leak that my TPMS caught. Turned out to be street side inner. The valve stem extension was leaking. I removed them. I now have to lay on the ground to air up inners but no longer have to worry about that leak source.

[tmmar]

Don't know why so many issues with these valve extensions, but I also had a problem with my curb side rear inner valve extension. My TPMS started giving me erratic pressures. Seems like the extension all of a sudden decided to start acting up.

[Tireman9]

I added a post to the Check my tire pressure math?? thread.

[Gottawonder]

JTN8, if you look at Tireman9's post in the other thread, you'll see he references a 47/53 side-to-side ratio as common. That'd take your 10600 to 5618 on the heavier corner which would move you to 95psi on the front and another 5psi for buffer, based on the Goodyear G670 275/70R22.5. You may be fine at 90 but I'd rather run 5psi over than 5psi under. Family, luggage, fluids I wind up closer to the max axle ratings (12k and 19k) so I'm usually targeting closer to 100psi in the rear and 110-113 in the front. Hope that makes sense.

[gfarmcafe]

Good advice for trailers too. I had a stem leaking while vacationing in Florida.

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by Gottawonder

JTN8, if you look at Tireman9's post in the other thread, you'll see he references a 47/53 side-to-side ratio as common. That'd take your 10600 to 5618 on the heavier corner which would move you to 95psi on the front and another 5psi for buffer, based on the Goodyear G670 275/70R22.5. You may be fine at 90 but I'd rather run 5psi over than 5psi under. Family, luggage, fluids I wind up closer to the max axle ratings (12k and 19k) so I'm usually targeting closer to 100psi in the rear and 110-113 in the front. Hope that makes sense.

I have the same tires... Thanks for the info! I'll have to readjust my pressure.

Jason

[Jersey Guy]

Jason, what site number are you in? I will be flying in tomorrow and staying with friends in the west lot.

[JTN8]

D903... Stop on by!

Jason

[Jersey Guy]

That's over on the airport side isn't it?

[JTN8]

Yes it is. In between the airport runway and the road. Pretty much in the back and right of west lot

[JTN8]

Great meeting jersey guy tonight at Daytona Speedway! He is the first Berkshire owner I've met so far. Great meeting you and happy camping / travels to you!!! Hopefully we'll meet up again.

Jason

[Joedebrv]

Jason , what is your GVW ? I had my 2013 BH up graded (warranty) to 31,000. New tires 275-80R-22.5 Also had bigger air bags installed . How I found my coach was under rated was I put it on a CAT scale during my second trip out with it

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by Joedebrv

Jason , what is your GVW ? I had my 2013 BH up graded (warranty) to 31,000. New tires 275-80R-22.5 Also had bigger air bags installed . How I found my coach was under rated was I put it on a CAT scale during my second trip out with it

Mine is a 2014 which came with the upgraded suspension, airbags and tires from the Factory.

Jason

[Joedebrv]

What is your GVW?