I am a big proponent of having a TPMS. In my case, I'm in the travel trailer world with tandem axles. When one tire goes soft or gone, the other tire is in instant overload as it is taking most or all of the weight on that side of the camper. Just like what happens on a dully when one tire goes out.
I bought the TST brand (Truck Systems Technology)
https://tsttruck.com/ and it monitors both pressure and temperature. Both are good info. I do use metal valve stems, and my truck is old enough, I added them to the truck too. The system saved me on the truck from bead seal leaks on the aluminum rims.
"Every" time before I leave with the truck and or camper, I turn the system on, let it warm up and I can see all air pressures before I start towing. If there was a slow leak while at camp or at home, it is easy to see it, and then deal with it before you head out. And naturally when towing you have it live all the time.
There is one type of failure the TPM will not detect before it happens, that is an somewhat instant depressurization like the tread just flew off and a second or two later, the whole tire lets go as there is no tread left.
I had 2, BFG Commercial TA, LT tires let go that way and I was using the TPM. In my case, BFG had a recall in that style of tire/factory, just one size wider (245 width) then mine (235 width) for tread separation. Well I believe mine suffered the same issue.
Trust me, a tire failure makes for a bad day camping. Here is the first tread separation. I was doing 55mph one spring day towing on down the highway. I heard a bang, I looked in the right side mirror and saw a puff of smoke. I never felt anything in the truck or stability of the trailer and didn't see anything other then the smoke. About 5 seconds later the TPM alarm went off and I knew I just had a blow out. Pulled over and found this.
The right rear tire let go and the flying tread beat up the camper and beat up the valve stem on the front right tire that is now leaking air. Lucky me, I had the Genny and little compressor with me. You can see the TPM still on the failed tire. The front TPM is MIA.
The damage to the camper
The mud flap took a mega hit
And sadly, on the way home, the other side front tire let go. Changing a flat on the side of the interstate is not fun. 8 ft off the white line is barley enough with semi whizzing by doing 70mph
Yes, I'm a fan of a TPM even though they did not detect this type of failure before they blew out.
Hope this helps the cause
John
