Tire pressure monitoring

[Jim G]

I often read about the importance of regular monitoring of tire pressure. Motorhome magazine recommends twice a day when on the road.
This can be quite a hassle.
Does anyone have experience with electronic tire pressure monitors?
They seem like a great idea, but are generally pretty pricey. Are they worth the expense ? It seems like with the purchase of some extra valve stem sensors the control panel could be used on multiple vehicles, but the valve stem sensors are about 50.00 each. Any suggestions ?

[B47]

Originally Posted by Jim G

I often read about the importance of regular monitoring of tire pressure. Motorhome magazine recommends twice a day when on the road.
This can be quite a hassle.
Does anyone have experience with electronic tire pressure monitors?
They seem like a great idea, but are generally pretty pricey. Are they worth the expense ? It seems like with the purchase of some extra valve stem sensors the control panel could be used on multiple vehicles, but the valve stem sensors are about 50.00 each. Any suggestions ?

There are several threads here regarding TPMS as they generally called.

Do a search of TPMS here for more information.

[Iggy]

Forget the expense. They are all expensive BUT when I'm driving down the road mine scans all the tires continuously.
Tire pressure as well as temperature. I feel better when I'm on a long trip and know ahead if I have a leak.
I feel much better know what is happening and it has programmable high and low air pressure as well as high temp.
I have Truck System Tech Tire Monitor RV510 with the screw on sensors.
Usually they give you 2 year warranty and if one fails or acts erratic they will replace for free. I have my system since April 2012 and have 23,000 miles under my belt. They are worth the money.
Now all you have to do is select which manufacturer you want to get it from.
I think their are two major distributers and they all made in China.
Mine cost me $299 for a 6 sensor system with 2 year warranty.

Here is the website
Home - Truck System Technologies, Inc

I have attached the manual so you and read it first.

Here is a great YouTube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3Qs4zUpHas

[LaydBack]

I have that same TST system, and like the peace of mind. It's pretty simple to set up, and I would advise anyone to have the added insurance of a TPMS. Just remember that the valve cap.sensors require metal valve stems.

[Jim G]

Thanks a lot for the info. I have ordered the TST monitor, it looks like what I need

[BeagleIL]

I ran the Tire Minder version for a while on our Roo. I would have to say it was finicky at best when it came to reporting pressure and temperature. For me, it seemed very inconsistent. It was after I purchased mine that I found out that you need to have metal valve stems. The centrifugal force of the spinning wheel was enough that it would bend my rubber stems and make contact with the wheel. All 4 wheels have a half moon spot where the paint was rubbed off by the sensor. Then when I went to replace the batteries this year, 3 of my 4 sensors had the metal clip that the battery slides into come off of the small circuit board, rendering them completely useless. Unsure if I'm going to replace the sensors, go with a different brand, or scrap the entire thing. I don't relish taking all four trailer tires in to get metal stems put in....

[Ford Idaho]

You can do it at home if you have an air compressor.

[BeagleIL]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

You can do it at home if you have an air compressor.

The only process I've seen is one where you have to deflate and break the bead so you can install the valve from the inside. Please explain....

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by BeagleIL

The only process I've seen is one where you have to deflate and break the bead so you can install the valve from the inside. Please explain....

Yes.

Deflate the tire and stand on the tire to push it low enough to work with.
You can use a sharp knife to cut the rubber one off, make sure you do not leave the cut off end in the tire.

Put in metal one and tighten it down, you may want to dip the rubber seal in soapy water.

Now spray soapy water on the tire bead and bounce the tire on the driveway or garage floor to get it back in place.

Air it up, you may need to work the tire in order to get it to reseal.

[RELHUB]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Forget the expense. They are all expensive BUT when I'm driving down the road mine scans all the tires continuously. Tire pressure as well as temperature. I feel better when I'm on a long trip and know ahead if I have a leak. I feel much better know what is happening and it has programmable high and low air pressure as well as high temp. I have Truck System Tech Tire Monitor RV510 with the screw on sensors. Usually they give you 2 year warranty and if one fails or acts erratic they will replace for free. I have my system since April 2012 and have 23,000 miles under my belt. They are worth the money. Now all you have to do is select which manufacturer you want to get it from. I think their are two major distributers and they all made in China. Mine cost me $299 for a 6 sensor system with 2 year warranty. Here is the website Home - Truck System Technologies, Inc I have attached the manual so you and read it first. Here is a great YouTube Video

Thanks for the information. I ordered the same model you have. They only listed 1 year warranty but when I received it today in the mail, the warranty card shows two years. I will hook it up this weekend and see how it works.

Thanks again

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by RELHUB

Thanks for the information. I ordered the same model you have. They only listed 1 year warranty but when I received it today in the mail, the warranty card shows two years. I will hook it up this weekend and see how it works.

Thanks again

Don't forget to set your max and minimums correctly or you will get false alarms when on the highways as pressure and temps increase.
Its all in the book that comes with it.
Good luck

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

Yes.

Deflate the tire and stand on the tire to push it low enough to work with.
You can use a sharp knife to cut the rubber one off, make sure you do not leave the cut off end in the tire.

Put in metal one and tighten it down, you may want to dip the rubber seal in soapy water.

Now spray soapy water on the tire bead and bounce the tire on the driveway or garage floor to get it back in place.

Air it up, you may need to work the tire in order to get it to reseal.

Unless you have a bead breaker, breaking a bead loose at home is extremely difficult. If it is a truck tire, it is just about impossible. Suggest you bite the bullet and take them to a tire shop. I have 2 bead breakers and still take the trailer & truck to the local GY dealer. Not worth the hassle, even tho' we did change tires at the race track but it was usually just one or maybe two tires.

[bubbles]

I would think another point to ponder is, if the kit does not come with valve extenders then one should check to see if the existing ones are of the plunger type ie; only engage the main valve when pressure is applied at the extender valve. Otherwise, I don't think the monitor would be of much use. Oh well.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Unless you have a bead breaker, breaking a bead loose at home is extremely difficult. If it is a truck tire, it is just about impossible. Suggest you bite the bullet and take them to a tire shop. I have 2 bead breakers and still take the trailer & truck to the local GY dealer. Not worth the hassle, even tho' we did change tires at the race track but it was usually just one or maybe two tires.

Up to a 16.5 I have walked a tire off the bead by lubing it up with soapy water and hard rubber soled boots.
A tire hammer works great as does using a hydraulic jack and receiver hitch,
When I was younger we just drove dads truck over the tire to break them loose.

[Phil57]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

Up to a 16.5 I have walked a tire off the bead by lubing it up with soapy water and hard rubber soled boots. A tire hammer works great as does using a hydraulic jack and receiver hitch, When I was younger we just drove dads truck over the tire to break them loose.

That's what we did when I was young also. It really worked great for a stubborn tire.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Phil57

That's what we did when I was young also. It really worked great for a stubborn tire.

We did that also using a 2 x 4 as a ramp to drive the car/truck up on and the 2x would break the tire down , but for only one tire. Not practical when changing 4 or 8 at one time.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Not today, back then it was a hour drive each way to the tire shop that is two hours of lost chore time. Tubes were pulled and patched on the spot.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by Jim G

Thanks a lot for the info. I have ordered the TST monitor, it looks like what I need

You won't regret it. Great peace of mind. Awesome system.

[Jim G]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I have 22.5 tires, there is no way I can break the beads. I ordered the unit Iggy suggested. It came in two days, I plan to install it soon. My 337 has stainless steel valve extenders, so it should work fine.

[alparmer]

Got the sensors installed today. One thing I noticed is that they are not accurate. I inflated all my tires to 82 psi with my digital gauge and the sensors were off by 2 to 4 psi. I'm assuming my digital gauge is accurate because I checked it with both of our cars. The reading in the car's console/computer matches the gauge.