TPMS saves the day!

[Miles_Away]

I was towing my rig north bound on I-75, just north of Macon, GA when I heard that dreaded "beeping" sound. I looked at my Pressure Pro TPMS and it showed low air in the left front trailer tire. I put on my flashers and pulled over before it went totally flat, saving the tire and avoiding damage to the trailer. After putting out my safety cones, I got to work. Fortunately I travel with a cordless impact wrench, so I had the tire changed and was back on my way in 15 minutes. I couldn't get very far off the "fog line" because of the narrow shoulder, but the flashers and cones helped to move most of the drivers over a lane and give me a little breathing room. The only close call came from another RV'er who apparently doesn't under stand the concept of giving a disabled vehicle a little breathing room. By the way, there was nothing wrong with the tire (Maxis), the valve stem failed.

[RCMAN46]

allen8106 wrote:
I have a TPMS also but have yet to find a metal valve stem set up that will fit my rims. The recessed hole on the outside of the rim is too small for the nut on the valve stem. The only option was the high pressure rubber coated brass stems.

I was able to find a metal valve stem that fit my stock 2005 Chevy wheels. A local independent tire store got them for me. I stopped by the other day to see if they had a part number for the stems. But unfortunately they have gone out of business.

But here is some at Summit that may work.

Summit Steel Valve Stems

Here is a picture of the ones I have.

[allen8106]

I have a TPMS also but have yet to find a metal valve stem set up that will fit my rims. The recessed hole on the outside of the rim is too small for the nut on the valve stem. The only option was the high pressure rubber coated brass stems.

[Miles_Away]

I will give Pressure Pro a call on Monday and inquire about the use of steel valve stems.

[dave17352]

Miles Away wrote:

RCMAN46 wrote:

dave17352 wrote:
I have pressure pro also. When I first got them almost ten years ago, I had a tire failure due to rubber stems. I feel the pressure pro's weight caused the problem. I have sense put on steel stems and haven't had the same problem again. It was funny I thought how I had bought these in a effort to prevent exactly what happened to me.

"PressurePro recommends the use of metal valve stems in conjunction with PressurePro Sensors. "

From page 10 of my Pressure Pro manual.

You state you had a tire failure. No low pressure warning? or did the sensor separate from the wheel when the valve stem failed.

Before I heeded the recommendation I had a rubber covered brass valve stem leak which gave a low pressure warning before I had tire damage.

I also have the rubber coated brass valve stems, and I think the weight of the sensor may have contributed to the failure. The valve stem did not come out, it just started leaking around where it seats against the wheel. The Pressure Pro immediately alerted me to the issue and I was able to get off the road before the tire went completely flat. There is still air in the tire (15 psi), but when you wiggle the valve stem you can hear air leaking around where it seats. I will be swapping them all out for the steel valve stems.

If I could dig up the original manual I could check on whether or not at that time they said to use steel stems. This was a long time ago. When mine came it took the whole stem off. Not surprising as they where long rubber stems. I was never alerted at all. Probably because it came off and was far gone from the truck in a split second.

[Ductape]

I used steel stems when I had them on a TT. Had one leaker, but it was at the seal where the sensor met the stem.

[Miles_Away]

RCMAN46 wrote:

dave17352 wrote:
I have pressure pro also. When I first got them almost ten years ago, I had a tire failure due to rubber stems. I feel the pressure pro's weight caused the problem. I have sense put on steel stems and haven't had the same problem again. It was funny I thought how I had bought these in a effort to prevent exactly what happened to me.

"PressurePro recommends the use of metal valve stems in conjunction with PressurePro Sensors. "

From page 10 of my Pressure Pro manual.

You state you had a tire failure. No low pressure warning? or did the sensor separate from the wheel when the valve stem failed.

Before I heeded the recommendation I had a rubber covered brass valve stem leak which gave a low pressure warning before I had tire damage.

I also have the rubber coated brass valve stems, and I think the weight of the sensor may have contributed to the failure. The valve stem did not come out, it just started leaking around where it seats against the wheel. The Pressure Pro immediately alerted me to the issue and I was able to get off the road before the tire went completely flat. There is still air in the tire (15 psi), but when you wiggle the valve stem you can hear air leaking around where it seats. I will be swapping them all out for the steel valve stems.

[RCMAN46]

dave17352 wrote:
I have pressure pro also. When I first got them almost ten years ago, I had a tire failure due to rubber stems. I feel the pressure pro's weight caused the problem. I have sense put on steel stems and haven't had the same problem again. It was funny I thought how I had bought these in a effort to prevent exactly what happened to me.

"PressurePro recommends the use of metal valve stems in conjunction with PressurePro Sensors. "

From page 10 of my Pressure Pro manual.

You state you had a tire failure. No low pressure warning? or did the sensor separate from the wheel when the valve stem failed.

Before I heeded the recommendation I had a rubber covered brass valve stem leak which gave a low pressure warning before I had tire damage.

[dave17352]

I have pressure pro also. When I first got them almost ten years ago, I had a tire failure due to rubber stems. I feel the pressure pro's weight caused the problem. I have sense put on steel stems and haven't had the same problem again. It was funny I thought how I had bought these in a effort to prevent exactly what happened to me.

[C-Bears]

Prior to hitting the road in our first used fiver I ordered and installed my TPMS.

When we took delivery of our current fiver it didn't leave the dealer's lot until the Goodyear G614's were installed and I had my TPMS screwed on and set up.

My goal in life is never to have a flat on my RV. I know they all can't be prevented but so far so good.

TPMS are worth every penny!!!!!!!!

[rjsurfer]

I do believe its the law to move over to the left for a disabled vehicle, or it should be.

Watch the big rigs they all do.

Ron W.

[RCMAN46]

Miles Away wrote:

Ductape wrote:
Rubber valve stems?

BRASS

In what way did the valve stem fail?

Were they the OEM valve stems that GM uses?

[GMandJM]

It's nice to hear some good news about a TPMS! Glad the situation turned out okay for you.

[Miles_Away]

Ductape wrote:
Rubber valve stems?

BRASS

[Ductape]

Rubber valve stems?