Tire Pressure Monitor

[SummitPond]

Originally Posted by KPaulson

I installed a TPMS, worked great. However I soon found out the hard way that you must have metal stems on your wheels. I will be changing to metal stems this spring.

Originally Posted by Goodspike

I'm not certain this is true, but the place I bought my tires told me that the higher pressures required special stems.

I don't have metal stems, and it is obvious that the rotational force is causing the sensors to rub the wheel rim, probably stressing the stem which could result in eventual stem failure. I cut some pieces of the foam pipe insulation and put it around the stems to minimize their movement. I will have metal stems installed when I replace the tires.

[Jdhargis]

I have owned 3 RVS now and the first 2 had tire problems that cost me thousands of dollars and I checked tires at beginning of each trip. I have invested 500 dollars in a tire monitor system for this latest RV. it is cheap insurance compared to the cost of tires and low pressure problem, high temp problems that RV tires can have.

[Goodspike]

Originally Posted by SummitPond

I don't have metal stems, and it is obvious that the rotational force is causing the sensors to rub the wheel rim, probably stressing the stem which could result in eventual stem failure.

Mine are mainly metal, but the part that meets the rim is rubber. I'll try to be on the lookout for if they are somehow bending at speed.

[jimbobway47]

It's not only the pressure that is monitored. I had a brake caliper stick on my 2004 Damon Intruder. Turns out there was a recall that eventually replaced them all around. But that time the tire temperature went up enough that I stopped and found the problem. A mobile repair technician managed to free the brake and I limped home. Without the monitor I would have had a failed tire or maybe even a fire. When I am ready to go each morning a look at the TPMS tells me if I need to manually check tires and for the inside duels I can't think of a better way to get an early warning.

[SummitPond]

Originally Posted by Goodspike

Mine are mainly metal, but the part that meets the rim is rubber. I'll try to be on the lookout for if they are somehow bending at speed.

I can see little scuff marks on the rim, which is how I knew they were bending. I'll try to get outside later and take a photo to post so you can see the marks and what I did.

[jimbobway47]

I had a TPMS on my toad and two valve stems (rubber) failed with slow leaks after about three months. I had metal valve stems installed on toad at the same place I got tires and have had no problems since.

[SummitPond]

Sorry about the delay in posting the photos. Due to the virus a nephew's wedding venue was relocated from its original location in another city (venue no longer available) to the backyard of my brother (his son) and I was drafted to use the truck to "get stuff" to prepare his yard for the event. What was going to be a large celebration involving upwards of 100 people is now going to be an intimate family affair with maybe 10 people.

Two photos show the scuff mark on the rim (identified by an arrow) created by the TPMS sensor head (I rotated the pipe insulation to provide a better view) and the pipe insulation in its proper orientation that I now use to keep the stem from flexing so much.

[John P]

Can I use flow thru sensors on a Winnebago Intent 30R?