Forum Discussion

stealthjeep1's avatar
stealthjeep1
Explorer
Feb 05, 2017

Hello everyone

Hi all,
I am new to the forum and I finally pulled the trigger on purchasing a new to us family class C.

2017 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 31H. 15,000 miles on her. 31' with 2 slide-outs.

My family and I are super excited to get out and start exploring. We are in process of booking a trip to Yellowstone for next summer. We are planning many weekend adventures locally for now. I am also planning to flat tow (4 down) a CJ5 I have for a "dinghy" and occasionally tow my 16' open deck car trailer with my Jeep TJ.

When I grew up my parents had tent trailers and hard wall trailers. This is definitely a step up from my families tent camping lately.

I had a question for you all. Currently the RV has flexible valve stem extensions for the inner dual wheels, I am looking to upgrade to hard lines. I don't like that you have to try and hold onto the flexible lines to get a good seal with the pressure gauge or air chuck. I have been considering purchasing a wireless tire pressure monitor system. Does anyone recommend one over another?
Class C

12 Replies

  • Harvey51's avatar
    Harvey51
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2017
    I think the consensus is that you don't need any extensions or special valve stems if you are willing to give up the wheel covers. That has been my experience anyway. A truck pressure gauge with one straight sensor and one curved back one are necessary, of course.


    I did need an extender on the outer wheels at first because the rubber stems were very short. No problem when I got Costco to use medium length stems with the new tires.
  • Mich_F's avatar
    Mich_F
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2017
    I'm not sure what Winnebago's are rated to tow for 2017. I have a 2014 31 K. The spec sheet in their literature gave the Ford GVWR of 14,500# GVWR and 22,000# GCWR although the MH came with a 5,000# hitch and a sticker saying not to exceed 350# tongue weight, which you would most likely exceed with a vehicle on a trailer.
    I don't see a 31H model in their literature for 2017.
  • cgmartine's avatar
    cgmartine
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2017
    I am not the final authority on this....but everything I have heard about valve extensions, especially flexible...is that they are more prone to air leakage, or to fail altogether, including the braided type. Popular opinion suggests that metal air valves is the way to go, but if you have to go with extensions, metal extensions is also the way to go. Again, this is what I have been reading here on this forum, and also another rv forum, but I do not believe there is any firm data to back that up.
  • MobileBasset's avatar
    MobileBasset
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2017
    crasster wrote:


    X2, yes, go brass and Tire Minder is a fine brand. Very handy tool to have, although it is possible if you are in good health just to manually check them before each long haul.


    The advantage of the monitor is that it will tell you that a tire is loosing air at an unhealthy rate while you are driving and while you are parked (if you leave it on). It allows you to get to a shop for repair before you are benched. That's what happened to me. I was at a remote camp site when it alerted me and I was able to drive quite a distance to get it repaired without issue. It turned out to be an embedded screw. It also alerts you when a temperature rises too fast.
    And who wants to be taking off those valve caps all the time to do the measurement. They are so irritating.lol
  • crasster's avatar
    crasster
    Explorer II
    Feb 06, 2017
    MobileBasset wrote:
    Yes on brass valve stems and TPMS. Mine is a Tire Minder and has been working well for 3 years and earned its price. I haven't read the current reviews on the available market but I did back when I purchased it.


    X2, yes, go brass and Tire Minder is a fine brand. Very handy tool to have, although it is possible if you are in good health just to manually check them before each long haul.
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2017
    Bone up on the topic of E350/E450 caster before you take a long trip. It could be a miserable driving experience if Ford has shipped your unit set at + 3 degrees as they have done in the past. You want at least + 5 degrees OR your unit may "wander" and feel like "loose steering" at highway speeds.
  • Desert_Captain's avatar
    Desert_Captain
    Explorer III
    Feb 06, 2017
    j-d wrote:
    Get some custom made Dually Valves. Now available at Camping World at less than direct order price.

    Then put your TPMS senders on those. You can buy kits with six valves that cover the fronts too, but all you really need is the four valves and maybe rubber stabilizers that handle the dual rear wheels.


    I have yet to EVER see anything at CW at less than the direct order price. If you say so it is OK with me so forgive my skepticism. Second issue, why do you think your front wheels don't need TPMS? I would rather blow one of my duals than one of the front {as in steering the coach} tires.

    :h
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Feb 05, 2017
    Get some custom made Dually Valves. Now available at Camping World at less than direct order price.

    Then put your TPMS senders on those. You can buy kits with six valves that cover the fronts too, but all you really need is the four valves and maybe rubber stabilizers that handle the dual rear wheels.
  • MobileBasset's avatar
    MobileBasset
    Explorer
    Feb 05, 2017
    Yes on brass valve stems and TPMS. Mine is a Tire Minder and has been working well for 3 years and earned its price. I haven't read the current reviews on the available market but I did back when I purchased it.

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