Valve stem extenders for inner wheels (DRW)

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Owned a RAM Dually since 2012. I have the stock valve stems and see no reason to add extenders!!!

Use the proper double ended air chuck and life is GOLDEN.

X2. I just ensure that the inner stem is accessible through a hole on the outer wheels when installing them. I usually put them at 180 degrees from the outers to keep them consistent on both sides and they are easy to check. My Ram also has the "valve caps" on the inners where I don't need to remove the caps to check pressure or add air; just stick the gauge or chuck on and all is good. It really isn't difficult to do if they are installed correctly.

Ditto,
150 PSI compressor as I run 125 PSI in the trailer tires, and have several different chucks and plenty of air line.

ognend wrote:


The problem is - I have a portable compressor (the kind that connects to tow vehicle battery) - and that one does not really accept different chucks etc. Also, how is a long chuck going to help me if I have to air my tires at a gas station while traveling? Unless I am not understanding something here...(there might be a language barrier, I live in the States but am not American by birth so not sure if I understand what a "chuck" is). Thanks.

I call the piece that attaches to end of hose, locks on valve stem the "Chuck"
Now as for the "not really accept". I have that kind of compressor in pickup and DW's car. But mine where made by man, not created by a god. When I tested both would pop off as soon as I let go of it. Man made it, I paid for it, so I have no issues changing it. (I don't use a quick-couple, only because I only use for tires. I want the chuck to be on hose so don't want to look for it.
As for air at gas stations; In the area you travel will the station compressor work when you need it? And if it works, will it put out enough pressure to air your tires? And do it without overheating/shutting down? (I have tried to use them on bicycle tires. Success was limited to the point I carry a hand pump now). If your tire takes 50PSI and pump maxis out at 60, it will take a long time to inflate tire. Plus the issue, you drove to station on under-inflated tire, so no longer cold. What pressure you set it to?

Carry your own air compressor with the ability to change chucks. Not that expensive and it keeps you from being at the mercy of whatever air compressors you can find. A hundred dollars or so for your own compressor is chump change considering what you have.

mkirsch wrote:
Longer valve stems only help if you only put them on the inner dual AND if you never rotate tires.

If you put longer valve stems on the outers, all that will do is extend them further inward, making them more difficult to reach.

I have two different types of dually air chucks, though, and NEITHER are the right angle to get on my factory valve stems on the stock steel wheels of my 2002 Chevy 3500 DRW. I have the angled one, and the straight-on one with the angle. Can't get straight on any of the stems.

Yeah, none of this stuff I heard so far sounds like a perfect solution...

JRscooby wrote:

ognend wrote:
Thank you all - I see most experiences are negative with the extenders. I did get a pair from Amazon and they did not fit well. One of them got ruined by the local Chevy dealer so they tried to make good on it by buying me a replacement (steel mesh flexible ones) but they could not even install those - leaked before even leaving the shop. I guess I am going to talk to the local tire shop about longer valve stems, as someone mentioned. The problem is - I live in a rural area and there are not that many tire shops - the ones that there are - I don't trust them much.

Sounds to me like you have missed the main point of most replies. Get the right chuck and gauge. Then the factory valve stems work as designed.

The problem is - I have a portable compressor (the kind that connects to tow vehicle battery) - and that one does not really accept different chucks etc. Also, how is a long chuck going to help me if I have to air my tires at a gas station while traveling? Unless I am not understanding something here...(there might be a language barrier, I live in the States but am not American by birth so not sure if I understand what a "chuck" is). Thanks.

I had a flat (no damage thankfully) on our brand new MH due to a leaky valve stem extender. When I installed my TPMS I just left them all off. I'll deal with adding air via a long air chuck. Every set I ever had on any MH, at least one developed a leak. Tires shop said the same thing. Apparently there is no such thing as a good extender.

Longer valve stems only help if you only put them on the inner dual AND if you never rotate tires.

If you put longer valve stems on the outers, all that will do is extend them further inward, making them more difficult to reach.

I have two different types of dually air chucks, though, and NEITHER are the right angle to get on my factory valve stems on the stock steel wheels of my 2002 Chevy 3500 DRW. I have the angled one, and the straight-on one with the angle. Can't get straight on any of the stems.

ognend wrote:
Thank you all - I see most experiences are negative with the extenders. I did get a pair from Amazon and they did not fit well. One of them got ruined by the local Chevy dealer so they tried to make good on it by buying me a replacement (steel mesh flexible ones) but they could not even install those - leaked before even leaving the shop. I guess I am going to talk to the local tire shop about longer valve stems, as someone mentioned. The problem is - I live in a rural area and there are not that many tire shops - the ones that there are - I don't trust them much.

Sounds to me like you have missed the main point of most replies. Get the right chuck and gauge. Then the factory valve stems work as designed.

Thank you all - I see most experiences are negative with the extenders. I did get a pair from Amazon and they did not fit well. One of them got ruined by the local Chevy dealer so they tried to make good on it by buying me a replacement (steel mesh flexible ones) but they could not even install those - leaked before even leaving the shop. I guess I am going to talk to the local tire shop about longer valve stems, as someone mentioned. The problem is - I live in a rural area and there are not that many tire shops - the ones that there are - I don't trust them much.