TPMS. Necessary or just peace of mind?
Pulling a 31' toy hauler with an F350 dually. How important is it to have a TPMS? Just how frequently are trailer tires blowing out around here? This would be an aftermarket for truck and trailer...
Forum Discussion
A TPMS not helping you in a blow out is a question of semantics. A TPMS can warn you of an imminent blow out. That's the point. A blow out is simply a reduction in tire pressure - quickly. This doesn't happen instantaneously except in the case of an immediate disintegration of the tire (such as might occur with hitting something in the road). More often than not there is something else going on with the tire that LEADS to a blow out. I've personally driven behind two semi blowouts that I knew was going to happen for at least 1/2 mile.
If you can catch the situation when it is imminent but before the complete blowout such that you can safely control the vehicle to a stop then the TPMS is worth it. If you hit a nail, start a slow leak and then lose a tire to a blow out as the air continues to escape no amount of visually inspecting your tires at a fuel stop is going to help you.
The idea that those using a TPMS also rely on it exclusively and just get in the vehicle and go is a stretch. It is one tool of many available to us.
If you can catch the situation when it is imminent but before the complete blowout such that you can safely control the vehicle to a stop then the TPMS is worth it. If you hit a nail, start a slow leak and then lose a tire to a blow out as the air continues to escape no amount of visually inspecting your tires at a fuel stop is going to help you.
The idea that those using a TPMS also rely on it exclusively and just get in the vehicle and go is a stretch. It is one tool of many available to us.
