Forum Discussion

RCMAN46's avatar
RCMAN46
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015

Pressure Pro VS TST

I have read many postings about TPMS systems.

I first purchased a Pressure Pro system about 7 years ago. Last summer after years of trouble free operation and the system saving damage from tires picking up nails, bolts and a tire stem failure the batteries in my sensors reached their end of life.

I had read many good reports on the TST system. The flow through sensors caught my eye as it should allow pressure adjustments without removing the sensor. (On one occasion I did have a sensor leak from not installing it tight enough after a pressure adjustment.)

I decided to try the TST flow through system. After installing the sensors on my truck I saw how far beyond the wheel they protruded. I was concerned when I go off road and got into deep mud or snow the sensors would be damaged.

I called TST and told them my problem. They agreed to replace the sensors at no charge except postage. I agreed as the issue was in no way the fault of TST.

Shortly after I had the system installed I noticed when I would leave a campground I was still getting what appeared to be valid tire pressures after 30 minutes or so. But when we had finished eating our supper I did have loss of signal alarms on the sensors that were on my trailer.

I did some testing and found that it takes almost exactly one hour before the TST system will set a loss of signal alarm.

Again I called TST and they indicated this was perfectly normal for their system.

I still had a couple sensors from my Pressure Pro that still had some battery life. I installed one on a tire I had in my shop. Then I drove the truck out of the shop closed the shop door and removed the antenna on the receiver. I got a loss of signal alarm in 15 minutes.

I tow a 5th wheel with a utility trailer behind the 5th wheel. With the 1.5 inch antenna that comes with the TST I was not able to maintain communication with the Utility trailer. (The Pressure Pro has a 3 inch antenna)

So I have two issues with the TST vs Pressure Pro. It takes 4 times as long to notify the loss of communication with a sensor. The TST uses a shorter antenna than the Pressure Pro thus probably has less range.

I would be interested if anyone else has noted the long time for a loss of signal alarm on a TST system.

A very easy way to check is have the system operating then with the TST system remove the receiver after you have put it in battery mode. Take the receiver into the house and remove the antenna. Then monitor the display and note when the receiver sets the loss of communication on each tire. (note this may take one hour)

29 Replies

  • I have ran the flow thru's with replaceable batteries on two different FW's during a 2 year period. Have never removed them and probably have close to 30,000 miles with them working great! (first 2008 FW was 38' long, new one 39' long).
  • I've run the TST flow through system for 2 years on my 40ft 5th wheel toy hauler with no booster and no issues. I purchased the booster but have not had to use it. It usually takes about 15 min to get the signal from all 6 tires when I first turn system on but figured that was normal.
  • I also have the TST 507 with flow through sensors. I used them on my 5er for an extended trip out west last summer. On the way home one of the sensors told me I had a low tire. It was correct as there was a long screw in the tire. I also had one stop working while out west. I changed the battery but it still didn't work. I emailed TST, told them the problem and told them I would notify them when I got home. They sent me a new sensor, without charge. I just had to send the defective one back. I have a dually, crew cab, long bed and tow a 35 ft 5er. I don't need a repeater. There aren't any problems with the system in the winter. I found that you don't use chrome valve caps on the system as the two different metals don't like each other and they will fuse together. It's also as slow process to put air in the tires. As for the system still showing the trailer tires after being unhooked and the TV being miles away. Yup I find that also but I haven't a problem with that at all.
  • I have the 507 system with non-flow through sensors. Other than one bad sensor a couple of years ago the the systems works perfectly. TST replaced this sensor at no charge even though I was clearly out of warranty. No repeater needed with my setup.
  • Dutch & Di wrote:
    Care to share why it isn't working for you??? Mine is still working flawlessly after 5 years of fulltime traveling. Hugs, Di


    I have also had very good luck with the TST. Just bought the 507 and plan to try it this weekend.
  • Care to share why it isn't working for you??? Mine is still working flawlessly after 5 years of fulltime traveling. Hugs, Di
    B.O. Plenty wrote:
    I have a TST system. I have yet to finish a trip with it working properly. They do have excellent service, no complaints there. Finally got tired of sending it back and parked it in a drawer. I recently got a Pressure Pro system from a friend to try. Haven't hooked it up yet.

    B.O.
  • I have a TST system. I have yet to finish a trip with it working properly. They do have excellent service, no complaints there. Finally got tired of sending it back and parked it in a drawer. I recently got a Pressure Pro system from a friend to try. Haven't hooked it up yet.

    B.O.
  • Are you talking about the tires on your RV still showing tires when you pull out in your truck? If so all you have to do is hold the mode & minus buttons at the same time and it will put the RV to sleep, meaning it will no longer show on the screen. When you need the 5th wheel again hold the same 2 buttons and it will again show on the screen.
    If you are not talking about that, have you tried taking off the antenna like you did with your PP? Possibly just turning off the monitor then back on once you leave the the area should take care of the problem.
    As far as maintaining signals, with a truck, 5th wheel & utility trailer, you may need a repeater because of the distance and possible interference from front to rear.
    We did not need a repeater with our 96 Dodge pulling our 38'Carriage but when we bought a 2014 Dodge pulling the same Carriage, we needed to add the receiver because of all the interference in the new dash.
    Hugs, Di
    .
    RCMAN46 wrote:
    I have read many postings about TPMS systems.

    I first purchased a Pressure Pro system about 7 years ago. Last summer after years of trouble free operation and the system saving damage from tires picking up nails, bolts and a tire stem failure the batteries in my sensors reached their end of life.

    I had read many good reports on the TST system. The flow through sensors caught my eye as it should allow pressure adjustments without removing the sensor. (On one occasion I did have a sensor leak from not installing it tight enough after a pressure adjustment.)

    I decided to try the TST flow through system. After installing the sensors on my truck I saw how far beyond the wheel they protruded. I was concerned when I go off road and got into deep mud or snow the sensors would be damaged.

    I called TST and told them my problem. They agreed to replace the sensors at no charge except postage. I agreed as the issue was in no way the fault of TST.

    Shortly after I had the system installed I noticed when I would leave a campground I was still getting what appeared to be valid tire pressures after 30 minutes or so. But when we had finished eating our supper I did have loss of signal alarms on the sensors that were on my trailer.

    I did some testing and found that it takes almost exactly one hour before the TST system will set a loss of signal alarm.

    Again I called TST and they indicated this was perfectly normal for their system.

    I still had a couple sensors from my Pressure Pro that still had some battery life. I installed one on a tire I had in my shop. Then I drove the truck out of the shop closed the shop door and removed the antenna on the receiver. I got a loss of signal alarm in 15 minutes.

    I tow a 5th wheel with a utility trailer behind the 5th wheel. With the 1.5 inch antenna that comes with the TST I was not able to maintain communication with the Utility trailer. (The Pressure Pro has a 3 inch antenna)

    So I have two issues with the TST vs Pressure Pro. It takes 4 times as long to notify the loss of communication with a sensor. The TST uses a shorter antenna than the Pressure Pro thus probably has less range.

    I would be interested if anyone else has noted the long time for a loss of signal alarm on a TST system.

    A very easy way to check is have the system operating then with the TST system remove the receiver after you have put it in battery mode. Take the receiver into the house and remove the antenna. Then monitor the display and note when the receiver sets the loss of communication on each tire. (note this may take one hour)
  • A loss of communication is not the same as a loss of pressure or low pressure. Loss of communication occurs when the sensor is out of range, note: don't lose a sensor. Loss of pressure or low pressure (which is what I'm concerned with) is immediate.