Valve stem question

[dalnchel]

We recently bought a used Fleetwood Storm. The rear inner wheels have the braided valve stem extensions and the outer tires the valve stem faces inwards and I am unable to get a tire gauge on it, not even the push/pull type gauge.
My question is, today we bought 135* solid valve stem extenions for the outer tires, (our valve stems are steel) when I started to screw these extensions on to the current stem, air started coming out... no instructions on how to install, I thought it looked pretty straight forward, but apparently not. Can anyone tell me how these are installed or what I am doing wrong?

[Sully2]

jtovosr wrote:
The extentions are not reliable, they will leak sooner or later you can be sure of that. You need a 90 Degree truck tire gauge & throw all the extentions away.

Not reliable?? Ive run them on 3 different coaches from 1993 till present day.....never had any sort of problem with the hoses.

[Freelander11]

I had tires replaced yesterday due to the Michelin recall. Asked them to put the braided tire value extensions on the inside rear wheels. I think I have a problem. There was a u clamp attached to the braided extension, but they did not attach it to my wheel simulators. The clamp is pretty heavy and I'm concerned going down the highway that it will constantly be swinging around. I removed the U clamp since it wasn't attached so now the extension is hanging freely. Aren't they supposed to be attached to simulator somehow or is it OK to have them moving freely?

[xctraveler]

homedad wrote:
I had the extensions on my rear duals. I found that if they've been on a long time the valve that the extension is pushing gets stuck open. You need to bite the bullet and let the air flow and deal with the stuck valve. I found that it's fine with the extensions on but if it's flowing just re-seating the valve with a pressure gauge or pointy object re-seats the valve. Then refill the tires. The cheap solution I found was the 135deg stem extension on the outers and just using the braided extension as a temporary extension for checking and filling the inners. You'll need a flashlight to find the valve and need to leave the cap off. I had too much anxiety putting the braided lines on permanently.

Leaving the cap off is not recommended. Modern caps provide a seal and a backup in case of valve failure. They also prevent the possibility of dirt getting into the valve stem and causing a leak.

[homedad]

I had the extensions on my rear duals. I found that if they've been on a long time the valve that the extension is pushing gets stuck open. You need to bite the bullet and let the air flow and deal with the stuck valve. I found that it's fine with the extensions on but if it's flowing just re-seating the valve with a pressure gauge or pointy object re-seats the valve. Then refill the tires. The cheap solution I found was the 135deg stem extension on the outers and just using the braided extension as a temporary extension for checking and filling the inners. You'll need a flashlight to find the valve and need to leave the cap off. I had too much anxiety putting the braided lines on permanently.

[willald]

Hudsoner wrote:

willald wrote:


Also don't like the fact that in a way, you're kind of making two tires back into one when you add those things. I know the crossfire is not supposed to allow it to happen, but I have read where in some circumstances, if one tire loses a lot of air suddenly (like in a blowout), the crossfire will allow air to cross over, causing the other tire to go flat as well. Pretty much eliminates one of the big advantages of having duals, if a blowout with one can take the other one with it.

Still a cool idea, though.

Would that situation show up if one would have a pressure monitor attached to the crossfire? If yes, would it show up fast enough that one could react in time?

Having a tire pressure monitor attached would not prevent that situation from happening, no. You'd still be basically making the two tires into one as far as air pressure goes, in a way.

As to whether or not the monitor would give you warning of such in time to react: Maybe, maybe not. Guess would depend on how quickly one of the tires loses its air.

Will

[Hudsoner]

willald wrote:


Also don't like the fact that in a way, you're kind of making two tires back into one when you add those things. I know the crossfire is not supposed to allow it to happen, but I have read where in some circumstances, if one tire loses a lot of air suddenly (like in a blowout), the crossfire will allow air to cross over, causing the other tire to go flat as well. Pretty much eliminates one of the big advantages of having duals, if a blowout with one can take the other one with it.

Still a cool idea, though.

Would that situation show up if one would have a pressure monitor attached to the crossfire? If yes, would it show up fast enough that one could react in time?

[workhardplayha1]

I have removed the wheel covers which makes it easier to check/fill tires.

[willald]

Hudsoner wrote:
I have the same problems with my rear tires and are contemplating to install the Cross Fire system (http://tinyurl.com/c2fe5k3).

Has anybody any experience with it and can report on it?

I've looked at those. I like the concept, but I'd be concerned that they'd throw the wheel out of balance and cause some vibration. Seems like it'd be pretty tough to balance the outer wheel/tire that has those things mounted on it. Especially, if they are not mounted directly in the center.

Also don't like the fact that in a way, you're kind of making two tires back into one when you add those things. I know the crossfire is not supposed to allow it to happen, but I have read where in some circumstances, if one tire loses a lot of air suddenly (like in a blowout), the crossfire will allow air to cross over, causing the other tire to go flat as well. Pretty much eliminates one of the big advantages of having duals, if a blowout with one can take the other one with it.

Still a cool idea, though.

[wny_pat1]

Hudsoner wrote:
I have the same problems with my rear tires and are contemplating to install the Cross Fire system (http://tinyurl.com/c2fe5k3).

Has anybody any experience with it and can report on it?

My son had them on his tractor trailer rig. Junked them!

[wny_pat1]

Here you guys go:
http://www.alcoa.com/alcoawheels/north_america/en/info_page/accessories_hd_valve_stem_ext_stabilizer...

[Hudsoner]

I have the same problems with my rear tires and are contemplating to install the Cross Fire system (http://tinyurl.com/c2fe5k3).

Has anybody any experience with it and can report on it?

[xctraveler]

Had braided extensions on my former coach for 6 years. Never had a problem with them. They were restrained in spring clips so they did not move when the tire was spinning down the road. This was a factory installation. Current coach is solid all the way, although I never had a problem this is much neater.

[Dutch_12078]

I've had braided stainless steel flexible extensions on my Coachmen's inner duals and 135° solid extensions on the outer duals since 2008 with no leakage or any other problems. I installed a length of rubber fuel line over the braided hoses to add extra protection from road hazards.

[willald]

jtovosr wrote:
The extensions are not reliable, they will leak sooner or later you can be sure of that. You need a 90 Degree truck tire gauge & throw all the extensions away.

..I tried every truck tire gauge I could find. RV dealer tried 'bout every one he had on the shelf, too. NONE would allow you to get to the valve on the outer dual on mine.

...Not to mention that even if I could get a gauge to reach it, NOTHING would allow me to attach an air hose to it (outer dual) for when it needs a shot of air. The ONLY option for the outers that allowed me to attach a gauge as well as an air chuck was a solid, 135 deg. extension. Sooo, thats what I use for them.

Solid, short extensions like that are not the problem. When installed correctly, they will not leak. The braided extensions are the ones that some folks have leaking problems with (although just as many folks like me have had no trouble with them).

Eventually I will probably replace the braided ones on the inners with a solid extension of some kind, quite possibly Dually valves. However, as long as the braided ones show no sign of wear or leaking....I'll stick with what I have. 🙂

Will