Valve extentions

GizmosMom wrote:
We are looking at TPMS for our 26 foot Ford-450 Class C. Would a TPMS work with these valve systems? Thanks

Yes, I use the TST system on my stems without any issue. These are solid steel stems, no movement at all.

I use Tire Man solid brass extenders. Just installed, today, the Tire Tracker TT-500 TPMS. Easy install. Quick test ride and it appears to work great! I purchased the 10 sensor set: 6 for motorhome, 2 for tow dolly, and 2 for toad or boat, depending on which is being towed.

Will be towing boat so 8 will be in use next week for a 800 mile trip.

Time will tell how long they last and how reliable they are. Lifetime warranty.

Let's try to be clear: Extensions are some type of extender that screws onto the original rubber valve stem. They can unscrew with vibration underway and lose pressure . The weight of the device causes vibration of the rubber part of the original valve stem eventually causing it to crack and release tire pressure. "Solid brass or steel valve stems" are long enough and formed so that they protrude through RV beauty disks and allow easy access with any type of tire fill chuck in any position of wheel. IMHO they are needed on front wheels as well as rear dual wheels for easy valve access and pressure checking.
No frustrating release of pressure while checking it, no gymnastics required.
Some professional truck tire shops can make and install their own solid metal custom formed valve stems or install your Borg or Tire Man stems for you.

J-d wrote:
You can do it on the Cheap. Steel valves with air through caps. Carry your own "truck" air gauge and air chuck (the "straight" style) or depend on those who have them. For me, it's RVing, supposed to be easy and fun. I wanted a setup that anyone, anywhere, anytime, anyplace could service our tires.

Me, too. I used plastic extenders for the first several years, with no problem except one that didn't close after checking pressures. Luckily I had a spare extender with me.

With new tires, I got Costco to use their slightly longer rubber valve stems, left the darn wheel covers off and use the straight on gauge for the inner wheels and a similar air hose end. I keep ordinary valve caps on them, removing for every pressure check using a bit of plastic tubing on a pencil. I estimate 6 minutes to check the 6 wheels. No leaks.

I had Borg Dually Valves installed a couple of years ago on the rear duals and its been great. It costs about $20 per tire to install them and I think the valves were about $120. I would do it again in a minute.

The extenders are nothing but trouble. If your wheels are mounted properly you should only need a good straight pressure gauge with a angle on the back side for pulling back to check pressures inside and out. Take your unit to a good tire shop and let them explain it to you. If you can stay away from the extensions you will be better off.

Bordercollie wrote:
It may not seem fair that chassis and motorhome manufacturers do not install solid metal stems but that is what it is!!

And Monaco had all of the stems mounted the same way regardless of which side of the tire/rim would face out. Great for them but a pain for the user.

To worry about spending $200 on solid metal custom formed valve stems installed on a $50K motorhome seems illogical. A tire failure, 500 miles from home, with damage to the underside of the rig and possible loss of control with injury to your loved ones and others on the road can spoil your trip or your life. Adding a cheap extension to original rubber valve stem can lead to sudden air loss with above consequences. It may not seem fair that chassis and motorhome manufacturers do not install solid metal stems but that is what it is!!

GizmosMom wrote:
We are looking at TPMS for our 26 foot Ford-450 Class C. Would a TPMS work with these valve systems? Thanks

Yes they will work just fine, The Tireman website states that they will and they do.

I have a TPMS system on mine and they work perfectly.

GizmosMom wrote:
We are looking at TPMS for our 26 foot Ford-450 Class C. Would a TPMS work with these valve systems? Thanks

Yes.

I think you'll find some discussion, perhaps on the suppliers' web pages. A TPMS "cap" isn't much heavier than a metal Air-Through.

I had our original tires balanced after installing BORG valves on the rear and new metal valves on the fronts and spare. From a theory standpoint, we should re-balance. Personally, I don't think the metal valves we use on fronts and spare is enough heavier than a rubber valve with a brass core, to require balancing. The custom rear valves have some heft to them, but we mount them opposite each other. So for front and rear, I believe that if we mark the tire and rim so they go back the way they came off, leave balance weights in place, and match marks on re-mounting, we're OK not balancing just because of the new valves.