Forum Discussion

Land_Yachters's avatar
Nov 01, 2022

Valve stem extension

Have Tiffin on Freightliner chassis. Took in for service and they performed recall service of removing rear/inner tire valve stem extensions for safety issue. Now I can't get to valve to put air in. Freightliner won't touch it since it was a recall, and my dealer won't touch it since it was a Freightliner recall. Can't find any info on this topic. Any ideas?
  • This must be just a RV thing. Over half century of running duels on all classes 3 to 8, (Even a couple of Freightshakers) never have run extensions, or needed them.
  • Any truck tire shop can install the extended steel or brass one piece valve stem to extend out between the opening in the outer wheel. No need for anything else, easy to access and add a tire monitor or just use your tire pressure gage, simple and not very expensive.
  • https://yourtireshopsupply.com/category/796/dually-valve-kits

    Be sure to get the rubber grommets to hold the extensions steady for each extension; also I had to stick the grommet in the hole in the rim with some silicone goop.
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    I just bought two from Amazon because one of them leaked after 17 years. There is a very small o ring inside that was dry rotted and cracked causing the leak.
  • I've always used airless, braided extensions on the inner duals. Much prefer airless, the ones that have zero air pressure in them except when you put a gauge or air hose on it. That way, even if it works loose, its not a big deal, because you won't lose any air pressure in the tire.
  • For those seldom times I need to add air to an inner dual tire, I carry a 6" metal extension, I screw it on,add air, remove extension and replace it in my toolbox.
    I NEVER run with stem extensions installed.
  • Ray,IN wrote:
    For those seldom times I need to add air to an inner dual tire, I carry a 6" metal extension, I screw it on,add air, remove extension and replace it in my toolbox.
    I NEVER run with stem extensions installed.


    Most of my air chucks and gauges will reach thru holes in the wheels to check or inflate inner tires.
  • I believe the recall was due to the (more decorative versus strong) valve stem extensions not being properly supported causing them to hit the wheel. This could result in the stem being sheered off and a sudden loss of air in the tire. For whatever reason, it was easier to remove the extension completely instead of adding new stronger extensions with the proper support to prevent contact with the wheel.

    Since millions of vehicles have extensions without issues, you may just want to head over to a truck store and buy a set of adequate valve extensions with decent supports and install it yourself.
  • ItsyRV wrote:


    Since millions of vehicles have extensions without issues, you may just want to head over to a truck store and buy a set of adequate valve extensions with decent supports and install it yourself.


    But even more millions of inside duals are checked/aired every day, without using extensions.
    Most MH chassis are made by same companies that make trucks. I can't see where the profit is for them to buy special wheels, or even valve stems, to put on MHs. Spend the cost of extensions on gauge and air chuck, will last rest of your life.