Opinions wanted on tire monitors

TNGW1500SE wrote:
This post just cost me 300 bucks!

Don't feel bad. You got off cheap!

If I were to add up all the things I have spent money on for my truck or trailer due to recommendations on this forum I probably could have have retired 10 years earlier. It just comes with the territory around here. :B
Barney

This post just cost me 300 bucks!

Tire Tech looks the same as Tire Minder, which I have. My experience is broken plastic caps and split o-rings, three had the solder joint on edge of unit for battery broke. I re-soldered. Accuracy all over the place. Never had one leak though, and still using them. But for me, would not purchase again.

Rollnhome wrote:
I have Tire Traker and metal valve stems. They add an extra measure of confidence and safety. Especially like them on the towed and carhauler.

I have been using the Tire Tech/Tire Tracker with outstanding results. Purchased through Amazon Tire Tech TPMS Using 6 on the motorhome and 4 on the toad. I replaced all extensions on the motorhome with steel valve stems but did not replace the rubber stems on the Jeep. I was just a bit concerned about how far out the TPM stuck out on the Jeep's stem and wondered if it might strike a rock while offroading and cause issues with a rigid steel stem. Have towed over 3000 miles so far and all is well with the short stubby rubber stems with the TPMS attached.

dbbls wrote:
They might be better than nothing but you have to look at them before you start towing. You could use a gauge to do the same thing. I like the monitors that let me check the pressure while going down the road. It also gives me a audible warning if one gets low. TST is the brand I have but there are other good ones also.

X2 for the TST brand.

TST 507 with metal valve stems for me for the last 5 years. Great system.

I've been using the Tire Traker tire monitoring system on the four wheels of our 26 foot travel trailer for two trips, one 5500 miles and the second 7600 miles and one year apart. Two things I found was that the 1632 batteries need to be changed each year and the cost of those batteries is super high if purchased at Home Depot (as an example) and cheaper if you get them Techno RV. The second item is the O-Rings on the sensors that screw onto the tire valve stem. My latest trip had the system working OK but the monitor kept indicating that a sensors had problem's. It turned out to be old cracked O-Ring seals. After I replaced the seals with ones I purchased at a hardware store, the sensors worked great for the last 4000 miles of our trip across country. So keep in mind Batteries and O-ring seals.

jjrbus wrote:
I thought those dohickys were the slickest thing and bought a set. All you have to do is look at them and you know if you have an issue! Modern technology is coming closer to science fiction every day, just amazing!

Then one of the things leaked and almost cost me a tire. Whats the odd's one in a 100,000 of getting a bad one??

I almost lost a $400 tire on my motorhome due to a valve extension leaking! Those were the big buck fancy ones. Whats the odds?

So no more dohickys for the tires, good enough for my grandpa, good enough for me. With the exception of the type that can be monitored.
JIm SW FL

I had the same exact issue.. Had 1 tire keep going down slow... could not figure it out,,, finally realized it was that cap... took all 4 off

I've been running the TireMinder system on my trailer for two years now and a couple of comments based on my experience.

1. I didn't replace my valve stems and the TireMinder system sensors are light enough that IMO that is not needed. Now I do use high pressure stems and have metal valve stem covers mainly because of my aluminum wheels.

2. I don't see any value in balancing tires on a trailer since they are an unmanned vehicle and I even have a onboard remote camera to monitor the goings on inside the TT whicle while driving from the driver's seat and with the torsion axles I have it's surprising just how well behaved the inside of the trailer is. Our last trip over the holidays we had a 3' high Xmas tree with ornaments/etc. sitting on the dinnette table and there was surprising little movement even from the ornaments for the most part while driving.

3. While a TPMS is not foolproof for the minor cost the potential for it to prevent major $$$ damage from a tire destructing is well worth the insurance valve of the system.

Larry

I now use the TST product on 10 wheels, towing a Prius with a Navion IQ and would not travel without them. I always check tires when stopped, but the TPMS sure offers a peace of mind when underway. I leave all tires set at 150 degrees for the high temp. warning. When not traveling with the RV, I use the same TST units on the Prius. Be sure to replace any flexible rubber stems with steel and balance all wheels with the TPMS attached. For a wide selection of custom made dual wheel extensions, check out The Tire Man in Arizona.
Hope this helps. Dave (The Next Hill)