Dual wheel inflation

It is a mystery why RV manufacturers don't install long custom formed solid metal valve stems on new RV's. Anyway, for the modest cost of having them installed, compared to the cost of the new RV, or just one tire failure, and much easier and quicker tire pressure checking, I think it's a no brainer.
Most new RV owners seem to be unaware of this option. I was!!

Harvey51 wrote:
I see those long stems cost about as much as a tire. Can you transfer them to new tires or does their use mean paying for a 7th tire every time?

They can be re-used when you get new tires with no problem. They just stay with the wheels.

I have a friend that is in his 4th set of tires and heading for his 5th that has used the same Tireman valve stems each time without a problem.
I know that I will reuse mine.

I see those long stems cost about as much as a tire. Can you transfer them to new tires or does their use mean paying for a 7th tire every time?

I'm actually pretty happy with the setup I have and I can check pressures all around in less than five minutes. The mounted spare's valve is reached just like an outer dual. It sure makes things easier when the duals are mounted with the inner and outer stems in the same rim hole, which I mark with whiteout.

RV'ers have been told that it is unneccessary to rotate tires, therefore, it is OK to have long custom formed solid metal valve stems installed on rear duals and front tires. Long custom formed solid metal valve stems do no leak and cause tire failure and make checking pressure and adding air very quick and easy.

If you buy your tires from an outfit with shops around the areas you frequent, I use Kal-Tire in Canada, which is affiliated with Lew Schwab in the western US, you can get your tires checked for free anytime. I have used the metal extenders and no extenders and now have the plastic extenders. I am a huge fan of getting them checked..oh at least twice a year. I drive in, they come out, jack up the rear, take off the outside ones and check all. So far...the extenders have not worked well at all.


Gary Haupt

For what it's worth, those of you (used to be "us") checking/adding air frequently will find that checking becomes easier and adding becomes infrequent with the all-brass Tire-Man or Borg custom stems. I replaced our rubber valves and assorted extenders with Borg. What I was after was ease. I had to try and hold the extender, usually with pliers, then apply the air chuck and operate its handle. That's one hand more than the Lord gave me.
With the metal stems and easy access, checking is a couple minutes to do all six, and actually adding air is more like Twice a YEAR!
I added Air-Through Caps, so like Harvey, no cap twiddling needed. Those caps come with the Tire-Man kits but I got some separately from a tire shop for mine.
Work-Arounds are fun to do and talk about, but custom brass really is Da-Bomb!

I have cheap plastic extenders on the outer wheels so my dual foot chuck can reach. Very handy as these extenders need no cap. Very quick access. I had one extender fail to close after use several years ago. Got it off with the hose "tool" (I have a piece of wood dowel on the handle end of mine) before losing too much air.

I like BruceMc's long extension for airing up. Hope I can find one. It is hard on the wrist to hold the chuck on the valve for very long.

You also have to be careful of the valve caps. I had one that if you tightened it down it pushed the valve stem on the extension in just enough to create a slow leak.

No problems using the slanted chuck I posted above. Works great for mine.

Curious that no one has commented on those slanted gauges. My rims do not work with them. I was able to find a straight one at NAPA.
I was warned about those flexible extensions. They have a habit of coming loose and deflating the tire. That is exactly what happened to me. Out they went. That is why I needed the straight on gauge.
Maybe the metal ones work better. I hope so.

Here's the 6 Gal. compressor I mounted permanently in my rear compartment. The air chuck with gage is from NAPA and works fine on the duals. I got a 50' lightweight hose from Tractor Supply Co.



I also have a short extender neck on the outer dual.