Recommendation for tire valve stem install

Question

Hi,We are new to RVing and have just purchased a class C. After reading the forums, we decided to order the Tireman valve stem kit. We are hoping someone who has had new valve stems installed might be able to give us a recommendation for where to have them done in either South or Central Florida. We would greatly appreciate any feedback as we would prefer not to just take our chances with the install specially since we were told that our rims may need some modification.Thanks

clouddriver · Answer

We had Tireman solid metal valve stems installed on our Class C a number of years ago. One of the best improvements to the MH. Ours is on the Ford E450 chassis and no modifications to the rims were needed. I did have to file grooves in the stainless steel wheel simulators to allow the new stems to pass through. The grooves are visible in the picture. I still have to remove the valve caps on the end of the stems to get the simulators off.

bobbo · Answer

I would think any dedicated tire place could do that. I am in Memphis, TN and had Raleigh Tire, which is a local chain, do mine at the same time that they put new Michelins on. Look in the yellow pages under tires, but pick out one that specializes in tires, not one that ALSO does tires.

Oh, and I used a dremel to make the notches in my wheel simulators.

esoxlucius · Answer

Just make sure they follow Chuck's instructions carefully and completely. Even when I reiterated the locktite must be used, the grommet must be on the wheel and not the simulator, the front simulators must be trimmed, and the simulators must be tied down so they won't rotate into the valves, they acted as if they knew better. I told them if they weren't going to do it right that I would take it elsewhere. They then agreed to follow the instructions completely.

vangogh · Answer

Thanks for the picture and the advise. We appreciate it :-)

j-d · Answer

Got a Military Connection? I took ours to the local Navy base's Auto Skills (Hobby) Shop. I thought they'd "rent" me their tire machine, but they wanted me to have them do it for hire. Also wouldn't handle the RV itself. So when I say "took" I mean removed from RV and carried in using another vehicle.
I can offer a couple "self help" ways to "break the bead down" far enough to install the Tire-Man valves. That's if you want a DIY solution. If you do, PM me so I don't miss it.
A couple of our tires were worn from being Toe-Out on the front, and I wanted them flipped on the rims before moving them to the rear duals. So I got benefit from their Dismount, Mount and Balance charges. They did not charge extra labor for the additional work needed for my custom stems.
My personal belief is it's not essential to re-balance IF the tires were in good balance before. The custom REAR valves have a heft to them, but as shown in CD's photo, they get mounted opposite each other. And to me, the custom front valves just aren't heavy enough to require re-balance just because of a valve change.
I sound like a broken record, but YOU WILL LOVE THIS UPGRADE! Tire checking for me is now a pleasant task that rewards me by showing that I still don't need to add air. Our spare kept going down, with its OEM "high pressure" rubber valve. It doesn't any more.

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Recommendation for tire valve stem install

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