TST507 TPMS Saves The Day

[allen8106]

Good afternoon RV Forum friends. Just wanted to post a topic here for those of you not convinced that a TPMS on your RV is worth the effort or cost.

This past Saturday night late we returned from a 2000 mile round trip to Mesa, AZ to visit our youngest daughter. The trip down went very well without a hitch. The trip home had a slight delay with a low tire that I was alerted to by my TST507 TPMS I installed back in 2012.

I never drive over 65 mph because the 15" Maxxis tires are only rated for 65. No harm I prefer that speed. In my opinion anything higher just adds to the damage to your rig by the continuous earthquake of traveling of fair highways. Saturday afternoon we were traveling east on I40 just west of Santa Rosa, NM. Suddenly the TPMS alarmed and told me the right rear 5ver tire was down to 64 PSI. I normally air them to 70 cold and have the alarm set at 65. I watched a few more seconds and the pressure continued to drop and was at about 56 before I could get pulled over to the shoulder. I put the spare on, moved the TPMS sensor to the spare and went on down the road. At the next truck stop I dug out my tire pressure gauge and the tire I took off was at 41 psi.

Needless to say the TPMS saved the tire and considerable damage to the 5ver.

[pawpaw47]

I've had my 507 for almost three years now, and had my first "save" last week. The alarm started going off and I watched as the pressure on the passenger side rear tire began going down. Yep - I had a flat!

[allen8106]

I took the 5ver tire in for repair today and they found that the high pressure, metal/rubber valve stem had failed. I did manage to find a #17-428 all metal valve stem at O'Reilly's that fit the .438 diameter recessed hole which I had not been able to find in my previous searches. I'll be replacing all the other high pressure stems with these new #17-428 valve stems before the next trip.

[joshuajim]

After 21 years of towing without TPMS, I decided to get a 507. First trip with the new system about 2 miles from getting on I-40 near Needles CA, the alarm went off. Found the only asphalt shoulder on this secondary road about 200' ahead and pulled over. Fifteen minutes later we were on the road again. Turns out that the 4 year old Maxxis had a separation, probably from a road hazard on our miserable desert so called roads (they occasionally have paving between the continuous pot holes) :B

[allen8106]

Terryallan wrote:
So. I have a question. Do you have to install metal valve stems to use the TST 507? Or can you just install the sensor?

At the time of the original install I coud not find any metal valve stems that fit my wheels. I opted for the metal re-enforced (high pressure) stems. They don't flex as much. So far in 5 yeas I haven't had a stem failure. Just within the last few months I've found a metal stem I think will fit, I'm going to order them and see if they do fit.

[Luv_Campin]

I've had one tire failure on the road, and it was caused by a rubber valve stem with a flow through sensor. I had thought that I was living on borrowed time with those stems. Went later that week and had metal valve stems put on. Made it with about two and a half years with the rubber stems with the sensors on there. Lesson learned.

[BB_TX]

Terryallan wrote:
So. I have a question. Do you have to install metal valve stems to use the TST 507? Or can you just install the sensor?

At one time TST said metal stems should be used for the flow thru sensors, but were not required for the non flow thru. Don't know if that is still their position or not. The flow thru sensors are larger, and I suppose heavier, then the non flow thru. I have had the non flow thru on rubber stems for 7 years and no problem.

[Lynnmor]

edatlanta wrote:
It seems I didn't install the sensor tight enough and it leaked down enough overnight to trip the TST507 alarm. How far would I have driven before I noticed a shredded tire if the 507 wasn't there? Who knows, but I won't drive anywhere without my TST507.

So the system gave you a flat tire and it saved the day by telling you it flattened the tire?

I had a tire go down from a 507 sensor leaking as well, so the system does have its faults. That sensor is very sensitive on how much it should be tightened.

[Ron3rd]

Terryallan wrote:
So. I have a question. Do you have to install metal valve stems to use the TST 507? Or can you just install the sensor?

Highly recommended to go with the metal stems. I asked TST the same question years ago and they told me I could use the rubber stems if I wanted. I did not like the flex I was seeing with the rubber stems so I changed to steel stems.

[brulaz]

BobsYourUncle wrote:

...
You would think I'd be smart enough to learn from all you guys and buy a TPMS myself.....
Nope! Haven't done it yet. What am I waiting for? Hmm good question. I know I should do it!

Most wait until they've had an "incident" themselves.

Like me.

Pulled into campground, noticed one tire was near flat. Which means the other tire on that side was carrying all the weight on that side for who knows how long.

It was close to time for new tires anyway, so had them use metal valve stems and ordered a tst 507 set. Works fine once you get it set up. Instructions were a little confusing.

And now I don't have to go out and check my tire pressures by hand!

[edatlanta]

The only "save" I can remember in 6 years with my TST507 was after being evacuated from a state park in Panama City, FL due to a hurricane. I moved 30 miles north and waited it out. The night before the return to Panama City I checked all 4 trailer tires for pressure and reinstalled the sensors (non flow through). The next morning while leaving my site the alarm went off for my right front tire. I had moved about 50'. It seems I didn't install the sensor tight enough and it leaked down enough overnight to trip the TST507 alarm. How far would I have driven before I noticed a shredded tire if the 507 wasn't there? Who knows, but I won't drive anywhere without my TST507.

[BobsYourUncle]

Nice report! Good when a possible mess and damage is avoided.
I have had 3 catastrophic tire failures since 2003. One of them totaled my Prowler. 2 others did considerable damage to my Sportsmen.

You would think I'd be smart enough to learn from all you guys and buy a TPMS myself.....
Nope! Haven't done it yet. What am I waiting for? Hmm good question. I know I should do it!

[Terryallan]

So. I have a question. Do you have to install metal valve stems to use the TST 507? Or can you just install the sensor?

[Ron3rd]

Love my 507, going on 5 years now.

[loggenrock]

I credit 3 "saves" to my TST TPMS over the years! Definitely worth the investment!!! ST