Maintaining air pressure in your tires

[Booner]

I've had my RV for less than a year and I'm religious in checking it's tire pressure. I had an inside rear dual that always seemed to loose a little tire pressure, so I checked pressure often. I thought I may have to take this tire to a shop to have it remounted.

I went to an auto parts store and purchased a little screw driver looking thing that is used for inserting the tire valve into it's stem. (I'm sorry I don't remember what it's called). Like I said, the tool looks like a small screw driver with a slot cut into it's stem. The valve fits into this slot and allows you to screw the valve into the tire valve stem. It costs a few bucks.

I fit this little tool into the valve stem on my leaky tire and found that the reason I was loosing air was the valve was a little loose in the stem which allowed a bit of air to leak around the threads that holds the valve within the stem. It took almost a full rotation of the tool in the tire stem before the valve was firmly seated in the stem.

I tightened all of valves on all of my tires and they all have held their air pressure since I did this. For a few dollars this little tool gives me some peace of mind.

I just looked it up and the tool is called "a GVX Valve Core Removal Tool" - under $7 on Amazon. I purchased mine at a local car parts store.

and a link--> https://www.amazon.com/GVX-Valve-Core-Removal-Tool/dp/B01IE7EL1E/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=Schrader+Valve+Tool&qid=1624644307&sr=8-5

[bobndot]

klutchdust wrote:
" My dw wants to know if she can use it tap my head from time to time. "

At least your Dw asked first.

:B

[Grit_dog]

btim wrote:
I have TPMS on my Class C E450. I keep the tires inflated to mfr recommended psi. I also keep the TPMS display on while driving so I can monitor the pressures. I get a bit alarmed watching the pressures rise as I travel, especially in hot weather. Is it normal to see the pressures go from 80psi to 90psi or higher? I do not want a blowout! How accurate is the Ford TPMS system? It is usually within 1-2 PSI of my Slime tire pressure gage. But how accurate is that thing?

Yup, 100% normal. PV = nRT

[btim]

I have TPMS on my Class C E450. I keep the tires inflated to mfr recommended psi. I also keep the TPMS display on while driving so I can monitor the pressures. I get a bit alarmed watching the pressures rise as I travel, especially in hot weather. Is it normal to see the pressures go from 80psi to 90psi or higher? I do not want a blowout! How accurate is the Ford TPMS system? It is usually within 1-2 PSI of my Slime tire pressure gage. But how accurate is that thing?

[klutchdust]

" My dw wants to know if she can use it tap my head from time to time. "

At least your Dw asked first.

[RambleOnNW]

We run with the Borg dually solid metal long stems on the rear with TST TPMS. Have been running this more than 10 years.

TPMS allows a quick check for any slow leaks after stopped at destination and also the sensors will immediately broadcast a fast leak warning if it occurs.

I had belt separation on an inner dual and got warning on the TST TPMS. The warning came in the form of the inner dual pressure starting to increase as the tire diameter started to increase and unloaded the outside tire. Fortunately we were 200 yards from a tire store when the tire started to disintegrate. Limped over at 5 mph. I am on my second set of much tougher all steel cased commercial tires as a result.

The TPMS allows comparing the tires in real-time while driving and learn to read the tire characteristics of each position. Have noted the following characteristics from over 10 years of glance observations:
1) Slightly increased pressure of inner vs outer tire.
2) Heating from tailpipe.
3) Heating from sun shining on one side vs other
4) Typical pressure rise
5) Pressure rise due to hot asphalt highways in summer
6) Much hotter running front tires due to engine proximity and sensors on short stems close to wheels

[bobndot]

I was at a CG when i checked my psi and the valve stem was so loose on my inner tire that the air was quickly leaking out. The cap temporarily sealed it until i was able to repair it.
A valve core tool like the OP suggests is the the thing that i didn’t have in my toolbox. I had the toad to drive and an auto parts store was nearby.
I used my ViAir rv inflator to set all 6 tires to proper psi the day before i departed my site.
klutchdust, I too use a rubber mallet to check my tires at rest stops. My dw wants to know if she can use it tap my head from time to time.

[klutchdust]

haste maker wrote:
I have found that a TPMS is worth the cost...after a stay at a camp ground we packed up to go home & the TPMS showed us we had an inside tire that was down to 60 PSI..without this TPMS we would have not know about the problem...

Without TPMS I would because I check with a thump or a gauge before I leave AND do it during rest stops.
It's also an opportunity to look over the equipment one more time. Some don't and that is why there are chairs, fuel cans bbq tops etc on the side of the road.

[scbwr]

X2 re TPMS system. I have the EEZ RV system:
https://eezrvproducts.com/shop/ols/categories/tire-pressure-monitoring-system-tpms

Yesterday, I programmed 4 sensors for tires on the Malibu we tow behind the motorhome. It's great to be able to continuously monitor tire pressure and temperature.

But, without a TPMS system, it's a good practice to check tire pressures the morning before you hit the road and adjust pressure as needed. Over many years of rving, I've trained myself to inspect the tires and hitch whenever we stop while in route. It's the first thing I do after getting out of the MH...I do a walk around and check everything.

[whemme]

The tire stem valve that you are referring to is known as a Schrader valve.

[haste_maker]

I have found that a TPMS is worth the cost...after a stay at a camp ground we packed up to go home & the TPMS showed us we had an inside tire that was down to 60 PSI..without this TPMS we would have not know about the problem...

[ferndaleflyer]

I had one losing air over a long period and it turned out to be the metal valve stem nut was loose

[Mel_Stuplich]

https://www.autozone.com/tire-repair-and-tire-wheel/tire-valve-stem-core-remover-tool/slime-4-way-tire-valve-stem-core-remover-tool/487510_0_0?cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:GEN:71700000069889792&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_dWGBhDAARIsAMcYuJzoq3i0_xcStKHkHLkJZo_bAi02INA6r_9LIH0JwXcpuClHamt7PfcaAm03EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Lwiddis]

Smart RVer...you check your TP regularly.

[WNYBob]

A TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) will give you even more peace of mind. I bought mine online for about $30, yes it's Chinese, but it caught 2 flats caused by valve stem failure
(I nowhere new metal valve stems)p
PM me if you want more info. Not affiliated but a happy camper.

[rlw999]

You can also find valve caps that have the tool built in.