Forum Discussion

bpounds's avatar
bpounds
Nomad
Apr 22, 2018

Do you check tire pressures every morning?

You might want to reconsider.

We're planning our first outing next weekend, so yesterday I spent all day prepping truck and trailer. Checked all tire pressures. The trailer was down a few pounds, it hasn't been used since last August, and that ain't bad for so long sitting. Ran them all up to 70psi where I like to run them.

This morning I go out and one is dead flat. I was pretty sure what happened, because I've seen it before, but before I jumped to that conclusion I did a full inspection of the tire. They are nearing 4 years old, and have metal threaded stems, which were new with the tires. Found nothing.

So, of course it is a stem that did not seat perfectly when I disturbed it with air flow yesterday. I put a few pounds in and checked it with some leak detector soap. Confirmed, it is blowing bubbles.

Moral of this story is, if I had done that the morning of travel, that tire would have been flat fast. Better to have checked the pressure the night before, and then just give them a kick before hitting the road.

Or a TPMS if that's your thing.

29 Replies

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  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2018
    I don't usually check my tires unless it's a long trip. My Michelin's are LT's and they don't leak like the cheap ST Chinese tires.
  • alexleblanc's avatar
    alexleblanc
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2018
    I always do a walk around of the truck and trailer before I leave - I do the same walk around every fuel or washroom breaks as well. Surprising how often I’ve caught a window not fully closed or something or other not right and dealt with it then and there.
  • bpounds's avatar
    bpounds
    Nomad
    Apr 22, 2018
    skipro3 wrote:
    The schrader valves sometimes don't seat or back out after several cool/heat cycles...


    I'm sure this is what happened. I checked and they were plenty tight. But sitting for years depresses a groove in the rubber seat, then it gets disturbed when you check the pressure, and it may not drop back into the groove quite right.

    I should get new stems all around, but I don't think I'm going to have time to get it done this week. Too much stuff going on. So I will probably just keep an eye on the TPMS and cross my fingers.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    Apr 22, 2018
    I have cat eyes on my rear duallies and I give them a glance every time I go out to the clipper. Simple caps on the front tires for the same visual check. If any are off, I take the clipper to work and fill up the tire(s). That way I don't have to worry right as I head out on a trip and I can get it repaired if it's more than just low on air without having to postpone.
  • PhoneDude_8289's avatar
    PhoneDude_8289
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2018
    I have a tpms and I also put a gauge on each tire before towing. In addition I ck torque on the lug nuts, only takes a few minutes
  • Ski_Pro_3's avatar
    Ski_Pro_3
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2018
    The schrader valves sometimes don't seat or back out after several cool/heat cycles. I buy those valve caps that have the tool to tighten them and check a couple times a year. I check tire air pressure every morning I hit the road and a few days before hitting the road.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Apr 22, 2018
    “Moral of this story is...”

    Inflate your tires to the manufacturer’s recommend pressure as shown on the sidewall.
  • mat60's avatar
    mat60
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2018
    I'm always ready for everything the day before but giving the tires a kick before I we leave is a good idea while checking everything else. Good tip. Glad you caught it.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Apr 22, 2018
    TPMS works for me. Fire it up *before* I start moving. I removed those anti-theft caps since they're a pita if you actually need air

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