TPMS success story - RV-Dreams Community Forum

David and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

TPMS success story

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have the same system on my 5th wheel, but not on my truck. I'm glad you avoided a potentially inconvenient and possibly dangerous situation. The system probably paid for itself just on this one "save". Good for you.

-- Edited by RonC on Friday 16th of September 2016 09:59:12 AM

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Quick question ... the system I have is only on the trailer. I just looked at my truck (2016 F350 DRW) and it doesn't look like there is enough room for the TST flow thru monitors. Has anyone installed TST 507 flow thru monitors on a late model Ford dually and did they fit OK?

David and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonC wrote:
Quick question ... the system I have is only on the trailer. I just looked at my truck (2016 F350 DRW) and it doesn't look like there is enough room for the TST flow thru monitors. Has anyone installed TST 507 flow thru monitors on a late model Ford dually and did they fit OK?

Ron, we have a 2012 F450 Lariat DRW. You're correct that there's not enough room on the truck wheels to install sensors; plus, on the rear wheels, they'd be nearly impossible to reach anyway. I installed valve extensions, mainly so that I could easily air up the rear tires, but also so I could install the sensors. On the rears I used the Phoenix USA AML1 Air Inflation Kit, and on the fronts I used Wheel Masters 8029 45 Degree Valve Extenders.

David

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks David ... it looked pretty tight to me.

Team Murc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wow what timing. We are headed out west next year and are waiting in the delivery of this exact system. Nice to hear it functioned as exactly as designed. We also have a 2014 F450. Any issues installing on the dully?

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Don't know what size those sensors are…but we have PressurePro TPMS and it's sensors are about an inch in diameter and an inch tall. They fit easily onto both our 2012 F450 dualley and our 2016 RAM 5500HD.

Granted…the ones on the inner dualleys were a bit of a challenge to get on and off but once I figured out the right clock position to put the inner valve stem so that I could reach in through the hole in the outer rim to install it and I had to use a pair of pliers stuck in between the two tires to tighten it down as I could not get it tight with just my fingers. It's actually easier to get them on and off on the 5500HD.

They don't come off very often so it's really not a big deal that they're harder to get on/off.

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Neil ... the flow thru sensors are longer, but the non flow thru sensors are about as you described, I may go that way or use the valve extensions David uses. Anyway you slice it those stems are not designed to "help" do anything ... add air, hard, TPMS monitors, hard, check tire pressure, hard ... I'm just sayin'.

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Neil and David ... my dually's have the valve stems of the inner and outer wheel aligned with each other (as opposed to opposite each other, 180 degrees apart). Are/were yours the same? It seems that it would create an out of balance condition with them both together. Did you guys have a problem with that, or were your valve stems 180 degrees apart?

David and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonC wrote:
Neil and David ... my dually's have the valve stems of the inner and outer wheel aligned with each other (as opposed to opposite each other, 180 degrees apart). Are/were yours the same? It seems that it would create an out of balance condition with them both together. Did you guys have a problem with that, or were your valve stems 180 degrees apart?

Ron, mine were the same way originally. I hadn't thought about the out of balance problem, but with the stems aligned it was virtually impossible to install the extender kit. (It was also virtually impossible to get an air chuck on the inner tire.) So when I installed the extender kit, I unmounted the outer wheel and rotated it 180 degrees so that the stems would be opposite each other. When I get a chance, I'll post a photo of the setup.

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'd certainly appreciate that. Thanks.

David and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

Here are a few photos that should help make the TPMS installation more clear.

On the rear wheels, I used the Phoenix AML1 Air Inflation Kit to extend the valves to make them easier to reach and to install the sensors. You can get it on Amazon for about $50. The hoses with the 120° elbows connect to your outer wheels.

Here's the whole setup on my F-450 rear wheels. I should note that when I last had the tires rotated, the shop didn't put the wheels back on with the valves "clocked" 180° from each other like I asked them to, which is why the hose to the inner wheel valve stem looks stretched, but there's enough length that it works OK.

Ford%20dually%20TPMS%20installation.jpg

In this close-up, you can see the aluminum bracket better.

Dually%20TPMS%20installation%20closeup.j

Here is what it looks like on the front wheels. I used 45° valve extensions to allow enough room for the sensors and to make the valves easy to access for inflation:

Ford%20front%20TPMS%20installation.jpg

Even if you don't use a TPMS, I think all the valve extensions are well worth the money. With the valves more easily accessible, you're much more likely to check your tire pressures regularly and add air when needed.

-- Edited by David and Cheryl on Monday 19th of September 2016 09:08:24 AM

-- Edited by David and Cheryl on Monday 31st of July 2017 11:31:21 AM

-- Edited by David and Cheryl on Monday 31st of July 2017 11:32:30 AM

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wow ... David you are pretty good at posting. I can't figure out how to post a picture, much less add comments. 😳 Very good pics and great description!! Thanks for going to all that trouble!!

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Neil and Connie wrote:
Don't know what size those sensors are…but we have PressurePro TPMS and it's sensors are about an inch in diameter and an inch tall. They fit easily onto both our 2012 F450 dualley and our 2016 RAM 5500HD.
Granted…the ones on the inner dualleys were a bit of a challenge to get on and off but once I figured out the right clock position to put the inner valve stem so that I could reach in through the hole in the outer rim to install it and I had to use a pair of pliers stuck in between the two tires to tighten it down as I could not get it tight with just my fingers. It's actually easier to get them on and off on the 5500HD.
They don't come off very often so it's really not a big deal that they're harder to get on/off.

So what is the correct clock position on the Ford? I have easily installed the monitors on the outside dually wheels, but NOT on the insides. Your experience would be appreciate.

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonC wrote:
So what is the correct clock position on the Ford? I have easily installed the monitors on the outside dually wheels, but NOT on the insides. Your experience would be appreciate.

On my F450…for the left side…I put the stem on the inner dualley at about 3 o'clock and the right side about 9 o'clock. This allowed me to stick my hand through the hole in the outer wheel without the sensor. I then dropped the sensor into my hand from the top…had trouble getting my hand through the hole while holding the sensor and screw it on as tight as it will go by hand. Then I stuck a pair of channel lock pliers in between the two tires to tighten them down as I was not able to get a decent enough grip to get them the normal 'hand tight' amount of torque. All this was because my hand was too fat to fit in between the two tires…if it fit then it would have been easier to get them on and off.

On the RAM 5500…the tires are farther apart so I am able to get my hand in between them. In addition…the stems on the RAM come out of the. wheel and bend almost parallel to the rim whereas the Ford's stuck straight out like a normal valve stem

The combination of the bent over stems and more space between the tires make getting the sensors on and off much easier on the RAM. I did have to get a straight double sided inflator instead of the 45 degree one I had for the Ford…and I also got one with a short hose and pressure gage per Bill Napier's recommendation to make for easier inflation on the inners. It isn't something you have to do very often though…I checked them when we picked up the truck and normally afterwards just use the TPMS to see what they're at…haven't needed to add any air since May.

A lot of it is just playing around by moving the truck a foot at a time to rotate the stems to different locations…trial and error and your hand size and flexibility/dexterity with right/left hand will reveal the best place to put them…I'm right handed so that's the hand I stick through the hole in the outer wheel and it's a matter of which way you want to flex your hand to get the sensor to the stem.

-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Thursday 29th of September 2016 01:04:13 PM

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks ... I'll play with it using your suggestions, but I think I'll wait for cooler weather. It's still pretty hot here in San Antonio.

David and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think I put the valve stem extensions on the inner wheels while I had the outer wheels off. I then fed the braided hose through the hand hole once I put the outer wheel back on.

Some of those extensions need to be tightened down hard with a wrench, or else they'll leak air. Finger-tight isn't nearly enough. (I had that problem with the WheelMasters extensions I have on my front wheels...came out the next morning to two flat tires.) That's tough to do for the inner wheel valve stem with the outer wheel in the way. Not impossible, but if you're going to remove the outer wheel anyway to re-clock the valve stems, might as well make it easy on yourself.

Rob_Fla · RV-Dreams Family Member

Another vote for the TST TMPS System, had mine for 5 years now and it has saved me several times where I was losing pressure on a trailer tire or a truck tire due to road debris and once for a cracked rim and I most likely would have not known about the problem before damage occurred.
In all cases I was able to get the tire repaired and problem adverted before any damage was done.
Well worth the investment :)

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

David and Cheryl wrote:
I think I put the valve stem extensions on the inner wheels while I had the outer wheels off. I then fed the braided hose through the hand hole once I put the outer wheel back on.

Some of those extensions need to be tightened down hard with a wrench, or else they'll leak air. Finger-tight isn't nearly enough. (I had that problem with the WheelMasters extensions I have on my front wheels...came out the next morning to two flat tires.) That's tough to do for the inner wheel valve stem with the outer wheel in the way. Not impossible, but if you're going to remove the outer wheel anyway to re-clock the valve stems, might as well make it easy on yourself.

David ... I got it done, finally. My set up turned out a little different than yours. I used the extensions you suggested on the inner dually but on the front and outer dually I was able to screw the monitor directly to the valve stem (easily). I know that you use the flow thru sensors from TST. I have those on the trailer, but the extra length was my problem ... so I went with the NON flow thru sensors from TST. In order to do this I had to gorilla glue the inner and outer shells so they wouldn't turn (they require a special little wrench to tighten the inner shell to the valve stem and the outer shell freewheels ... this is supposed to make them theft proof ... and impossible to install in tight places). Once I glued them together, they easily screwed on. Of course the "replaceable" battery feature is kaput, but I'm OK with that. I'll replace them every couple of years with new ones (not such a bad idea anyway). Now I have all 10 of my tires being monitored. Your suggestions and PICTURES really helped me figure it out, so I wanted to thank you for that. Now I have one less worry when traveling.

David and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonC wrote:
David ... I got it done, finally. My set up turned out a little different than yours. I used the extensions you suggested on the inner dually but on the front and outer dually I was able to screw the monitor directly to the valve stem (easily). I know that you use the flow thru sensors from TST. I have those on the trailer, but the extra length was my problem ... so I went with the NON flow thru sensors from TST. In order to do this I had to gorilla glue the inner and outer shells so they wouldn't turn (they require a special little wrench to tighten the inner shell to the valve stem and the outer shell freewheels ... this is supposed to make them theft proof ... and impossible to install in tight places). Once I glued them together, they easily screwed on. Of course the "replaceable" battery feature is kaput, but I'm OK with that. I'll replace them every couple of years with new ones (not such a bad idea anyway). Now I have all 10 of my tires being monitored. Your suggestions and PICTURES really helped me figure it out, so I wanted to thank you for that. Now I have one less worry when traveling.

Ron, glad to hear that I was able to help. TPMS is one of those things you hope you'll never need, but you're sure glad you have it when you do!

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

David ... I had a TPMS success story of my own. Thanks again for your help earlier.

VanMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

David and Cheryl,

I guess my story is one of procrastination. I have put off getting a TPMS and it is costing me big time. We were on highway 97 heading south from Watson Lake, YT going to Dawson Creek, BC. If we had a TPMS with a temperature sensor, this would have been minor. The right rear Nev-r-Lube bearing seized up (apparently from a lack of lubrication) and welded everything together. What I saw in my side view mirror was my tire and wheel jammed in the wheel well sideways and a plume of blue smoke trailing behind us. Fortunately, there was a chain-up area there where I safely pulled over.

I will leave out the minor details, like Marla in tears after two previous major trailer problems as we entered Alaska about five weeks ago. We had the trailer hauled on a low-boy (Archie's Towing, Ft Nelson was wonderful) to Dalex Auto(also wonderful people).

The rest of the story is for another topic. Needless to say, a temperature monitor would have saved the day.

Vance

David and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonC wrote:
David ... I had a TPMS success story of my own. Thanks again for your help earlier.

Glad it worked out for you. What happened, if you don't mind sharing?

David and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

VanMar wrote:
David and Cheryl,
I guess my story is one of procrastination. I have put off getting a TPMS and it is costing me big time. We were on highway 97 heading south from Watson Lake, YT going to Dawson Creek, BC. If we had a TPMS with a temperature sensor, this would have been minor. The right rear Nev-r-Lube bearing seized up (apparently from a lack of lubrication) and welded everything together. What I saw in my side view mirror was my tire and wheel jammed in the wheel well sideways and a plume of blue smoke trailing behind us. Fortunately, there was a chain-up area there where I safely pulled over.
I will leave out the minor details, like Marla in tears after two previous major trailer problems as we entered Alaska about five weeks ago. We had the trailer hauled on a low-boy (Archie's Towing, Ft Nelson was wonderful) to Dalex Auto(also wonderful people).
The rest of the story is for another topic. Needless to say, a temperature monitor would have saved the day.
Vance

Yikes, Vance! I'm really sorry to hear that. I'm glad you were able to recover from it safely. Also sorry that it interrupted your Alaska trip. You must be in about the same area we are...we're in Dawson Creek today; we were in Fort Nelson yesterday and Liard Hot Springs the day before.

I wonder if a TPMS would have helped in this situation, though. Since it senses air temperature in the tire, the bearing would have had to fail enough that it heated the tire up enough to trigger the TPMS alert. I'd think that by the time that happened, the bearing would have already seized up. But I don't know much about bearings. I'd be interested to hear from someone who does...I never thought about TPMS detecting a bearing issue before it got really bad.

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

David and Cheryl wrote:
RonC wrote:
David ... I had a TPMS success story of my own. Thanks again for your help earlier.
Glad it worked out for you. What happened, if you don't mind sharing?

David ... I started my own thread entitled "TPMS Success Story" ... you can search on that and look for my name, it fully documents my "event".

VanMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yikes, Vance! I'm really sorry to hear that. I'm glad you were able to recover from it safely. Also sorry that it interrupted your Alaska trip. You must be in about the same area we are...we're in Dawson Creek today; we were in Fort Nelson yesterday and Liard Hot Springs the day before.

I wonder if a TPMS would have helped in this situation, though. Since it senses air temperature in the tire, the bearing would have had to fail enough that it heated the tire up enough to trigger the TPMS alert. I'd think that by the time that happened, the bearing would have already seized up. But I don't know much about bearings. I'd be interested to hear from someone who does...I never thought about TPMS detecting a bearing issue before it got really bad.

David and Cheryl,

Yes, we took a dip in LiardRHS just before this happened.

I've never owned one but I have to assume they put a temp sensor in these things for a reason. After I got the tire/wheel/rotor off the trailer, I slowly poured a gallon of water on the rotor. It vaporized the entire gallon on contact and the wheel was too hot to touch. It seems to me this would have raised the temp in the tire somewhat. I don't know at what point the alarm would go off...hopefully before seizure.

Vance

Dutch · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our TST TPMS has alerted on high temperature twice leading us to find a failing rear wheel bearing set on a previous Coach on one occasion, and a sticking brake caliper on a previous toad on another. Both events could have been much more costly, if not dangerous, had we not caught them when we did.

David and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dutch wrote:
Our TST TPMS has alerted on high temperature twice leading us to find a failing rear wheel bearing set on a previous Coach on one occasion, and a sticking brake caliper on a previous toad on another. Both events could have been much more costly, if not dangerous, had we not caught them when we did.

That's great to know!