Which valve stems for tpms ?

[MartyW]

Hi to all,

We're replacing our TT load range C tires with load range D tires. Many thanks to the folks who helped with that decision. The wheel manufacturer (Series06) recommends using a stronger valve stem when switching from the 50 psi to 65 psi tire.

With the new tires & valve stems we will want to use a tpms, and two questions come to mind concerning the tpms and valve stems:

With the tpms, are folks favoring the new flow-through sensors or are the lighter original non-flow-thru sensors still preferred? The flow-through sensors seem nice but is the added weight a concern for valve stem stress or balance?

And with the tpms sensors is a metal valve stem recommended?

So far our tpms research is pointing to probably either TST507 or TireTraker but not positive yet. The sensors appear to be pretty much the same in several of the new units with the same replaceable batteries.

Thanks in advance,
Marty

[MartyW]

Reporting back on the valve stems. The Grainger N-1600 Haltec aluminum valve stems worked perfectly in my main 4 TT wheels. The spare had the stem hole at the edge of a radius like JBarca mentioned, so on that wheel I used a short re-inforced rubber/brass stem since it is a spare. All the stems went in without issue except for one wheel that would leak whenever the stem was being tightened. It turned out that particular stem had been installed incorrectly with the small metal part on the outside of the rim installed upside down so that it didn't seal down over the rubber piece coming from the inside of the wheel. Thanks again to all who recommended these stems.

[wandering1]

Real simple get the valve stems the TPMS manufacturer recommends.

[JBarca]

MartyW wrote:


I've already ordered and received metal valve stems from Grainger, but I won't know until I go to mount the new TT tires if the metal valve stems will work with my TT wheels.

Hi,

See my post, here Mounting metal valve stems in trailer wheels - Need help

I had a heck of a time but in the end I did solve it using the NAPA metal stems. I happen to have the unique rim that they punch the hole in a curved part of the rim.

When I upgraded to LT tires and 16" rims, those rims had a nice flat formed depression for a metal stem.

I agree, you need metal stems on a TPM.

[GeoBoy]

I had the TST Flow-Throughs installed on metal valve stems. The metal valve stems that they installed had a shoulder that fit against outside of the rim and used a rubber grommet and metal washer with a nut to tighten everything on the inside of the aluminum rim. I then had the tire, wheel and sensor balanced together.

[garyindaupeh]

MartyW: Be aware that different wheels require different diameter valve stems. My cast aluminum wheels require a very small diameter valve stem and my tire installer couldn't find a size small enough. Had to go metal re enforced instead.

[Ron3rd]

MartyW wrote:
Thanks Ron3rd, I had meant to include the link to the thread with the fuel line pieces so here it is. The poster says it works well and it seems like it would.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27951435/srt/pa/pging/1/page/2.cfm

From what I've heard, that mod seems to work ok. Anything to keep the rubber stems from flexing will help. The next time you change tires, have them put the metal stems on. JMHO

[MartyW]

Thanks Ron3rd, I had meant to include the link to the thread with the fuel line pieces so here it is. The poster says it works well and it seems like it would.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27951435/srt/pa/pging/1/page/2.cfm

[Ron3rd]

I've had the TST 507 (non flow through) system for about 3 years and love it. Only complaint about the flow throughs I've read is a slow fill rate.

For sure go with metal valve stems. TST originally told me I could run rubber stems but the weight of the sensor caused them to flop back and forth so much so that they left marks on the rims and 2 of my rubber stems cracked. Metal valve stems only for me.

[MartyW]

Its getting time to travel for the season so I just now went ahead and did the final ordering.

I ordered 5 new GoodYear LT Cargo G26 225/70/R15 tires to replace the ST-type tires on the TT, and I also ordered the TST507RV 8 sensor TPMS kit for TV+TT.

I've already ordered and received metal valve stems from Grainger, but I won't know until I go to mount the new TT tires if the metal valve stems will work with my TT wheels. I found another post by wmoses (thanks wmoses) in the Tech Corner forum about using fuel line pieces to strengthen standard valve stems in case the metal valve stems won't work with my TT wheels.

It took three visits to the tire store to get the new TV tires balanced properly last Fall and they are finally good now, so I'm thinking I'll probably use the fuel line pieces for the TV valve stems. I ordered the original style sensors (not flow-thru) for the TST507.

This has been quite a learning experience and many thanks to all who responded and helped me figure all this out...
Marty

[MartyW]

Thanks mrekim, that stem sounds perfect for our application from all I've read and learned thus far. Just hopeful that this stem will seal ok inside our aluminum wheel.

I went ahead and ordered a full set of the Haltec stems figuring that if they don't work for me I'll offer them to someone else.

Thanks again.

[mrekim]

MartyW wrote:
It is listed as an aluminum stem which I hope is strong enough.

The stem is designed for aluminum wheels, but I'm pretty sure the stem itself is steel. I recall asking the Haltech engineer if the steel washer against the aluminum rim would be a problem due to dissimilar metals and he said the coating on the parts prevents that from being a problem.

[MartyW]

Thanks to all for this input. Very much appreciated. Jbarca, great to hear your situation is solved. I looked very briefly at 16" wheels, but with the old 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern I didn't see any right off. They're probably available, but I just didn't see any in my quick look.

And its great to know that others with similar type wheels have found solutions! I haven't yet seen the inside of my rim, without tire on, to see how close the hole is to the rounded areas that caused Jbarca so much grief.

With the valve stem in the wheel and tire mounted I couldn't be sure of the stem hole size so this morning I emailed the Series06 folks and again they were very responsive to my email. They confirmed that the stem hole size in my wheel is 0.453" diameter.

So with the hole size confirmed, it seems like a good first step would be to order one of the Haltec N-1600 valve stems to see how it goes with one wheel (thanks mrekim for that product and measurements). I checked their website and that stem is the 0.453" size and all the other measurements seem to be inline with what would work well. It is listed as an aluminum stem which I hope is strong enough.

BenK, I checked the Myres catalog (thanks for the link) looking for something like the Haltec N-1600 in steel rather than aluminum but I couldn't find anything. If you know of something please let me know.

I'll order the Haltec stem and report back.

Many thanks again to all,
Marty

[BenK]

Posted John's saga because this OP has a wheel OEM that I'm not familiar with
and suspected issues with the type of valve stem

There is a Myers tire catalog embedded in John's thread...it one of my go to
reference catalogs on this topic

It may seem like a static area around the valve stem hole, but all wheels flex
and the higher the weights, the more likely it will flex. Why the seal must
be correct...it moves ever so slightly all the time

Good luck!

PS...Dealers generally only advise on stuff that they carry in stock, can get
easily and know anything about. Working my through college, one job was a tire
monkey and where learned to love Myers as my reference catalog. Still
to this day, reference the Myers catalog

Myers Catalog

[RCMAN46]

Ron3rd wrote:
To the OP; My aluminum wheels had the recessed hole too that appeared too small to accept the metal stems. Discount tire installed a stem that would work. Similar to the photo above.

Same here my 5th wheel aluminum wheels have valve stems that look just like the ones pictured above. If I remember correct mine were done by Les Schwab Tire.