I’ve decided to get a TPMS for my 2018 Coachmen Freedom Expression 248 RBS TT (29’) towed by a 2014 Toyota Sequoia. I’ve read through many helpful posts on the subject. My thoughts from that research?
Although an internal system seems more hassle-free after it’s installed, the external system is easy to set up at not additional cost. I would like to put a sensor on the spare tire as well, and it appears most systems could handle this. I shouldn’t need a repeater. A system with replaceable batteries should be less hassle or expense. Almost all the major brands – TST, Tire Traker, Tire Minder, EEZRV – seem to be well-thought-of with positive comments. Flow-throughs require stainless steel stems or at least short rubber stems. It seems that all or most systems can either by hard-wired or cigarette-lighter-plugged in, the latter of which I’m more likely to do since the TV is not a full-time RV. And the TV has its own tire pressure warning system, so only the TT needs to be considered.
It seems that gives me most of what I need to select a system. I’m left only with two questions:
1. How easy to read is the display for a particular brand? Especially at night, or during the day wearing sunglasses?
2. Flow-through or not? The flow-through seems less hassle. But does it really stick out far enough to hit something and break off as some suggest? And, since I don’t have to manually check air, there’s only hassle when I need to add air. I’m not sure how significant that is.
Any thoughts on those two questions (which I’ve not adequately resolved in my mind from reading previous threads) would be appreciated. Have I missed anything important?
StlSailor
__________________
2018 Coachmen Freedom Express 248 RBS 2014 Toyota Sequoia
I just finished (FINALLY) installing my TST 507 system.
The color display is very easy to read, especially at night. If sun hits it just right, it fades out some, but I just turn it a little and it's clear. I can see where the old b/w monitor might be tough to read.
I did not get the flow-through. However, I got a tiny screwdriver and removed the anti-theft doohickey on the 507's. Now they are just simply a valve stem cap. Easy to get on and off. UNLESS YOU HAVE A DUALLY! Because the holes in my wheels are smaller than my fat hands, I couldn't get the inside sensors installed. Had to go to a tire shop. But valve extenders would fix that. It's on my list (someday). Putting them on the trailer was as easy as putting on any valve stem cap.
__________________
"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man" Herbert Hoover
"American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God"Lewis Grizzard
FROG AR-0019-242
2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
I have the TST 507 system and have used it for almost 4 years now. I use the non-flow through systems and it is no problem to remove the unit when the tire needs air. I also have the Black and White monitor and have never had a problem reading it. I normally plug my system in the day before we are to move so that I can make sure all of tires are good. I have had to replace the batteries in my sensors at least once about every two years which is not a problem to replace the batteries. I love my system and have sensors on both the camper and my TV. The system has saved me on several occasions. Also I am still using the original china bomb tires on my camper after 4 years and untold miles. Will be getting new tire next month before we head out camping again. But I think that this system has allowed me to get the most out of the set of tires instead of having problems.
__________________
Freddie & Linda
2015 FR Sierra 330RLS & 2003 Dodge 2500 4X4 Diesel
TMPS for Camper & TV
Plugging it in the night before will also charge the monitor so that you don't have to have it hard wired to a 12v plug in truck to use it the next day.
__________________
"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man" Herbert Hoover
"American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God"Lewis Grizzard
FROG AR-0019-242
2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
It seems that gives me most of what I need to select a system. I’m left only with two questions:
1. How easy to read is the display for a particular brand? Especially at night, or during the day wearing sunglasses?
2. Flow-through or not? The flow-through seems less hassle. But does it really stick out far enough to hit something and break off as some suggest? And, since I don’t have to manually check air, there’s only hassle when I need to add air. I’m not sure how significant that is.StlSailor
First off, all the brands you mentioned are good. I have the EEZ on my 30' trailer.
1. No problem reading with sunglasses. There is an internal light for night use, and this is triggered by an internal sensor. Works well, never had a problem.
2. I do not have the flow-through. I read some had issues with them, and just bought the cap. No harder than the regular cap on the end of the valve. Only warning is to make sure you have the metal valve steam.
You should not have a problem with the distance as far as receiving the signal in the TV. But for me, every so often I would lose the signal for one tire. Real random. I put a repeater in the battery box of the trailer, and that solved the issue.
I have had the TST 507 for 4 years and recently upgraded to the color monitor which is much easier to see. For the dual wheels on the motor home I installed a braided extension kit which attaches to the hub.
By the way, when I shot the video the toad was in the car port 70 feet away and the repeater was not turned on.
__________________
2016 Forester 3011DS
2017 Toyota Corolla SE toad
PREVIOUS: 2015 Flagstaff 832IKBS
99 Terry 31G
I have a tire minder system and no problem to read as I pick up the monitor when I want to check it anyway. Also has audio warning so I know if pressure too low or tire too hot. Doesn't have to stay plugged in to 12 volt due to internal battery. Mine won't work on my 5th wheel without the range extender. The tire monitor is the best thing I have done to my 5th wheel.
I got the NON-flow through because I just had new tires put on before buying the system and did not want to have to go back and have steel valve stems installed. If a tire actually needs air, taking off the stem cap is easy enough that even I can do it.
I have the EZE Tire system and it works great. It already saved me a flat once. Since the alarm went off, I was made aware before the tire got flat. Mine has a nice sized screen that is illuminated and easy to see. I hard wired it and it also has an internal,chargeable back up battery.
I originally got the system with the pass thru valves but changed them to the shorter screw type . The pass thru's are too long and you can hit them on a curb. I don't recommend them.
The system is reliable and easy to use. Once you start using it, you'll swear by it. It's a great safety precaution and well worth the money.
I have an EEZ system, flow-thru. The only time I've used it so far 2-3 tires often went off-line. The company told me it was probably because I had the monitor at the dash board with all the other electronical components.
I have the TST 507 system, non flow through...this is my second full season, I believe. Had to change batteries, but not a bad process. Only thing was the O-rings tore on most of them when I opened the caps to access the batteries, but I ordered the replacement kit. I don't have the color monitor but the "older" one is still easy to read. Nice watching the pressure and temp for better peace of mind. I had a couple of tire temps reach just over 102+ degrees yesterday. One thing I found with my other trailer...The sensors left marks on the white steel wheels when using rubber valve stems. I ended up with metal stems, anyway. With our new trailer, I didn't take a chance with the aluminum wheels. I put painter's tape on the caps and on the wheel. I'll get metal stems when I get time.
Thanks to all who have shared their knowledge so far. They confirm that there are several good brands from which to choose. They made me feel more comfortable with non-flow-through sensors. They made me feel comfortable that any of the displays will be easy to read, the color ones more so.
Choosing between several good brands will still be a difficult task. I am considering going ahead and replacing the China bombs at the same time (probably with Goodyear Endurance tires) and putting on steel stems if the expense doesn't get to be too much. That may mean, from what I read, being sure the rims are rated for the higher pressure or buying new ones. And I've sent an e-mail to the manufacturer asking if it's possible to use 15" tires instead of the 14" that came on it? But those are discussions for another thread, I suppose.
Your comments have been very helpful! Just want to say thank you for the comments so far, and look forward to reading any others that may be posted.
StlSailor
__________________
2018 Coachmen Freedom Express 248 RBS 2014 Toyota Sequoia
I was thinking it made sense to get a sensor for the spare tire. As I think about it more, I'm not sure. Any thoughts?
StlSailor
I got the TST with six sensors. Four for the TT axles, one for the TT spare and one for the truck spare. The rest of the truck has the factory pressure read outs.
After looking at several good TPMS systems, I went with the TST 507. However, unlike some of you, I found the display very difficult to read in bright sunlight.
They have been friendly to deal with, and despite the problem of low contrast colors, it seems that the particular vehicle has a lot to do with readability.
I'm considering returning it, but am not sure that another brand would be better in this regard. Has anyone compared this TPMS against another model in bright sunlight for readability? I'm not expecting it, but if so, it would be helpful to know.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Freedom Express 248 RBS 2014 Toyota Sequoia
After looking at several good TPMS systems, I went with the TST 507. However, unlike some of you, I found the display very difficult to read in bright sunlight.
They have been friendly to deal with, and despite the problem of low contrast colors, it seems that the particular vehicle has a lot to do with readability.
I'm considering returning it, but am not sure that another brand would be better in this regard. Has anyone compared this TPMS against another model in bright sunlight for readability? I'm not expecting it, but if so, it would be helpful to know.
I can’t really talk about another brand as I have aTST but a model before “color” unit came out. I looked at a new unit today and my first thought was that it will be hard to read in bright sunlight. Hopefully my older unit holds out a long time.
After looking at several good TPMS systems, I went with the TST 507. However, unlike some of you, I found the display very difficult to read in bright sunlight.
They have been friendly to deal with, and despite the problem of low contrast colors, it seems that the particular vehicle has a lot to do with readability.
I'm considering returning it, but am not sure that another brand would be better in this regard. Has anyone compared this TPMS against another model in bright sunlight for readability? I'm not expecting it, but if so, it would be helpful to know.
I just got the tst system. I will say that I agree that the screen is a bit harder to read than the tire minder it replaced. The tire minder screen was a grayish background with black "tires" and readout similar to a calculator. It was easy to read.
__________________
Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB