How do I know a tire's low/flat on dual wheel axle?

[BillHoughton]

Today's dumb question...

I check tire pressures before our trips, and during trips (though not as often as I should during trips; but certainly before long drives).

But how do I know, when driving, that a tire on a dual wheel axle is low or flat? Obviously, if I hear a blowout, that's a clue; but what about more subtle flat conditions, like a nail in the tire?

[PenMan]

I have a TPMS with sensors on my trailer and on my dually truck. I had a flat on the inner tire and only knew about it because of the monitor. It did not happen while I was traveling but I got an alarm as soon as I started to move the truck. I could not tell by looking that it was flat. I use the system even when not pulling the trailer for that exact reason.

[DrewE]

After driving you can check the temperature of the tires with your hand (carefully) or with a laser IR thermometer. A low tire will typically be warmer than the others, though some differences in temperature are normal and expected. (The inners are often a bit warmer as they have less cooling airflow, and the right inner on my motorhome is also warmer because it's closest to the exhaust system).

If you check the pressure before each day of travel, you'll be well ahead of many people already.

[Sam_Spade]

BillHoughton wrote:
but what about more subtle flat conditions, like a nail in the tire?

You hear what sounds like an explosion.....as the tread comes off and damages body parts....and maybe electrical wires and water lines too.

I find that an electronic "Tire Minder" gives me a LOT of piece of mind. And just one "use" might save you enough to pay for it.

[klutchdust]

I am old school, still have a wooden tire thumper I purchased at a truck stop. Also comes in handy for a "just in case" . When taking a rest stop I check all around my rig and will break out the gauge if necessary.

[2oldman]

There's this new invention called TPMS.

[boogie_4wheel]

I've felt a flat dual on a truck as an imbalance, just like a tire that was out of balance.

When stopped (fuel, break, ect) I'll reach under the fender and just push sideways on the inner tire; if it gives way it is low on air. Or you can stand behind the truck/trailer and look for a tire that has an excessive bulge when sitting on even ground.

[Jaxom]

TPMS or Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems will tell you the current PSI and Temperature. You can set up alerts to warn you when values get out of your set parameters.