Forum Discussion

RECVEH2005's avatar
RECVEH2005
Explorer
Apr 19, 2014

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

I have some questions about TPMS for those of you who have them:

1. Do they ever leak? I assume they use "O" rings; are these replaceable? (It would seem that they would wear out after awhile with having to remove them each time you have to add air.)

2. Can you check your tire pressures PRIOR to moving your truck and fiver at the beginning of your driving day? (I've heard that some brands require the truck & trailer to be in motion before you can get a reading; that wouldn't be much help if you had to add air.)

3. Can you leave the monitor plugged in to your 12-volt power source without damaging it?

4. It seems that the most popular brands are Truck Systems Technologies, TireMinder, and Doran/Pressure Pro. Do you have experience with these or any others?

Mike

10 Replies

  • twotoes's avatar
    twotoes
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2014
    I have the TST flow thru system. The batteries need to be replaced at least every year. TST will send you new O-rings for free with a phone call. I never get leaks. The monitor lasts for a week on battery. I plug it into the cig charger in the truck for a few hours while driving to charge it then unplug it and it runs on batteries. I turn it on a few min before driving away and the info is on the monitor. My only complaint is that even thou it is a flow thru system it takes awhile to air up if needed so I take off the sensors to add air. Also if you have a long RV or 5th wheel, my 5th wheel is triple axel, you may need a repeater to send the signal from the tire sensors to the monitor. About an extra $50 bucks.
  • army_guy1's avatar
    army_guy1
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2014
    I've had my pressure pro's on for the last 6 yrs. I keep them connected and on the truck all the time. I've had to replace the batteries on a couple of them but that is all. Love them
  • TucsonJim's avatar
    TucsonJim
    Explorer II
    Apr 19, 2014
    I use the TST 507 Flow Thru. No leaks, and I can add or remove air without removing the sensor. The tire sensors are always on. Just turn on the unit in the truck about 10-15 minutes before you want to leave, and you'll know the pressure and temperature of each tire. You can leave the inside unit plugged in and turned on indefinitely and it won't harm it.
  • Dayle1's avatar
    Dayle1
    Explorer II
    Apr 19, 2014
    Mine is TST and never had a leak problem. I originally had the older system with 6 external sensors, but lost the sensors in a garage fire. Decided to spend a few more $$ and upgrade the entire system, 507 monitor is smaller and I leave it plugged in for days at a time. The trailer has in-wheel, flow-thru sensors, so certainly no issue with air leaks. I'm still using external sensors on the truck rear tires. Both the original TST system and the new system report tire pressure and temp while the rig is stationary, just takes a few min. for all sensors to report if the monitor has been off. So, I make sure the monitor is on first thing in the morning, take care of other items, then check back to see if any tire needs adjusting.
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2014
    We've had Pressure Pro and have had no problems other than needing batteries replaced.
    BTW Doran is not Pressure Pro.
  • MPI_Mallard's avatar
    MPI_Mallard
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2014
    I have the Tire Minder click on both truck and fiver and wouldn't be without it. Tire Minder is really good with their customer service and tech help also they have a free battery replacement/o-ring offer which I think is great. If you go Tire Minder buy the amplifier, it really makes a big difference!
  • avvidclif1's avatar
    avvidclif1
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2014
    RECVEH2005 wrote:
    I have some questions about TPMS for those of you who have them:

    1. Do they ever leak? I assume they use "O" rings; are these replaceable? (It would seem that they would wear out after awhile with having to remove them each time you have to add air.)

    2. Can you check your tire pressures PRIOR to moving your truck and fiver at the beginning of your driving day? (I've heard that some brands require the truck & trailer to be in motion before you can get a reading; that wouldn't be much help if you had to add air.)

    3. Can you leave the monitor plugged in to your 12-volt power source without damaging it?

    4. It seems that the most popular brands are Truck Systems Technologies, TireMinder, and Doran/Pressure Pro. Do you have experience with these or any others?

    Mike


    1. I'm sure that they could, mine never have.

    2. The sensors are on all the time when on the tire, removing them turns them off. I don't take them off unless I'm adding air. I turn on the Monitor 15 min before planned departure or thereabouts and have a reading on all 4 tires before leaving. It takes a few minutes for everyone to get synced up.

    3. The monitor can be plugged in but it is on all the time. I just unplug the power. It has a built-in battery that lasts for several hours and in battery mode can be turned off.

    4. Mine is TST. 3-4 years old. As a precaution I replaced the batteries last year. I called TST and they sent me the O-rings and spare screws for free.

    No problems.
  • scivilla's avatar
    scivilla
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2014
    Some systems activate the sensors after your wheels go in motion a certain length of time. This is to save the battery power. Other systems allow you to check when stationary. You just have to specifically check the brand for how they deal with this. AS I recall it took only a few blocks of driving before the sensors started registering.

    I had a Tire Minder on my motorhome and toad and it saved me multiple times. ONe time the toad tire started leaking air from a nail and the tpms warned me in the motorhome. WE would never have known without it. Another time one of the inner tire on the motorhome lost air and again we were warned.

    I never experience leakage of the sensors and they do have o-rings. I highly recommend these systems.
  • Rug's avatar
    Rug
    Explorer II
    Apr 19, 2014
    We have Pressure Pro

    Yes they will leak if the "O" ring gets worn or a crack.
    We had ours for several years before a couple of them started to
    leak.
    I called Pressure Pro and they sent me a bunch.

    We can take our sensors off and check tire pressure whenever we want.

    When we get home and I put the truck and trailer in the barn I remove all sensors. So the next time we get ready to go I check tire pressure and also I check the reading from the display.
  • blue_trawler's avatar
    blue_trawler
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2014
    I had the tire minder and it was a pain! I lost more air every time I checked it. There was always something wrong with it. Batteries, the seal was letting air out. You had to keep adjusting and resetting it. This is just my opinion, a friend has one and he likes it. I returned mine and have never lost air pressure again. I check my tires before each trip and they stay within 2 lbs of what I want .
    Good luck

    Bruce

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