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05-22-2017, 01:22 PM
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#1
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Refugee from Napa, CA
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Formerly Napa
, On the road
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 614
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A word to the wise
A year and a half ago I had an Airstream Dealer replace my fifteen inch tires with sixteen inch tires and had them also install new Michelin ten ply tires. For a year and a half I thought I had the best feet in the world on my trailer.
Then last week I went to dump and noticed my two left tires appeared to be low, so I went to add air. But when my fingers touched the valve stems air came out...then after looking I realized that both valve stems were rotten and leaking.
The dealership had installed the tires with RUBBER valve stems, and had been running the tires at 65psi. They should have had steel stems!!! I never looked because I trusted the guys at the dealership.
So the next day I took all four tires off and drove 150 miles to a Les Schwab to get steel valve stems installed for a grand sum of $31.00. All the time thinking how lucky I was to have driven thousand of miles in the past eighteen months on four time bombs.
So a word to the wise, check your valve stems. And probably double check everything else your dealer does....
__________________
Instagram. Alluminator
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05-22-2017, 01:37 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Sounds like you learned a good lesson.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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05-22-2017, 01:57 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2006 19' Safari SE
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,627
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Use metal valve stems especially if you have tire pressure monitors on those stems....we had rubber stems when we first got the TPM system ... then one failed while we were going through Phoenix. Luckily we were on a street rather than an express way. The TPM sounded and alarm when the pressure decreased so we were OK, but the stem was scarce at the base where it enters the wheel. We replaced them all when we got home.
__________________
TB & Greg and Abbey Schnauzer
AirForums #21900
PastPrez, 4CU/WBCCI
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05-22-2017, 02:14 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,349
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I put high pressure rubber stems in with my tire change. I found my trailer on the rim one morning for no apparent reason. No punctures. I found if I pushed the valve stem to the side, it would leak. I went to the auto parts store, got 4 stems for about 8 bucks, and swapped them at home.
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05-23-2017, 12:02 PM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
2005 28' International CCD
Palm Beach Gardens
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 179
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Based on the responses so far, I'm not able to tell if the valve stems should be metal, rubber, or hard rubber? Just about to order new tires and don't want to make a mistake. Thanks. -John
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05-23-2017, 12:08 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Globetrotter
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 691
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When I put on new wheels and tires I put on the metal valve stems. There is no disadvantage that I know of.
You might want to consider the tire pressure monitoring system at this time as you will have the tires off.
I did not think of them at the time. Dave
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05-23-2017, 12:10 PM
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#7
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,401
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There are rubber stems that are rated for higher presdures. I have rubber on my 16 inch wheels that are rated to carry high pressure. The key for me is replace them with every tire change. They can dry rot much like tires with age. At one time I think any pressure of 65 or more psi required metal stems. Things have improved over time so I just verify ratings now and change them when new tires are put on. I treat the tow vehicle the same way. Never have had a valve fail on any vehicle.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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05-23-2017, 06:18 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2015 25' Flying Cloud
2016 30' Flying Cloud
Blenheim Ontario
, Ontario
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,263
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CRH
I put high pressure rubber stems in with my tire change. I found my trailer on the rim one morning for no apparent reason. No punctures. I found if I pushed the valve stem to the side, it would leak. I went to the auto parts store, got 4 stems for about 8 bucks, and swapped them at home.
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You must have your own tire shop with all the tools/eguipment to remove and remount, and rebalance the tires, to install the (steel?) valve stems yourself.
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05-23-2017, 06:52 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Watertown
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 270
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Tires and valve stems
We had our own tire fiasco this spring. We bought new tires and took them into our regular mechanic to mount, etc. He is a good car guy, but trailer things - not so much. First, he used the old valve stems, which were for the 65 PSI tires, not our new 80 PSI ones. We had told him that we wanted metal, but he hadn't obtained any, so used the old rubber ones. So we bought some metal ones and went back, but they didn't leave enough room to attach the tire pressure monitors. Then we learned that you have to have stems to match the pressure you need. It seems obvious, but we just didn't think of it.
Our car guy also gave us the tires inflated to only 65 because his car tire equipment couldn't get them up to 80. He also failed to mention this little problem. Shesh! We have a larger compressor at home than he does in his shop!
Also, we ended up buying some nice metal stems that we couldn't use because they have to be bolted on from the outside and the AS wheels don't have the space to get a tool in to do that, so you have to get the type that just pop on from the inside.
This is a way more troublesome topic than I would have guessed! But we now have some new E rated tires and high pressure valve stems, so are good to go. But it was a several days of trouble.
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05-23-2017, 07:21 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,349
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MelGoddard
You must have your own tire shop with all the tools/eguipment to remove and remount, and rebalance the tires, to install the (steel?) valve stems yourself.
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no... I have a 30 buck Harbor Freight manual tire changer, I bought years ago just for the bead breaker to use on motorcycle tires....No need to take the tire off the rim. Just break the bead on one side and change stems. No need to rebalance.
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05-23-2017, 07:36 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,570
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Them rubber stems were probably made in China, they don't last very long, the metal ( brass) ones usually have an O ring which should replaced every time the tires are changed....
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05-23-2017, 09:45 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2015 25' Flying Cloud
2016 30' Flying Cloud
Blenheim Ontario
, Ontario
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,263
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I asked for metal valve stems at CanAm in London, and was told that they were not available for the wheels used on the 30' FC.
We'll 'Boo-Hoo!
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05-23-2017, 10:04 PM
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#13
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Journeyman
2016 25' International
Amherst
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 956
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MelGoddard
I asked for metal valve stems at CanAm in London, and was told that they were not available for the wheels used on the 30' FC.
We'll 'Boo-Hoo! ��
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I was told this by my tire place, and it turns out that they simply didn't have the right SIZE of stem in stock and didn't realize they came in different sizes.
Inside the rim, the valve stem needs to sit in a recess. Apparently there some some stems that don't fit in the recess, but it's simply a matter of finding the (commonly available) ones that do.
Hope that helps!
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