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Ronman · 09-01-2014, 11:03 PM

Thanks, Ken. I am looking hard at Hawkshead Talon. Seems like the right product. Do you monitor your tow vehicle too?

Ag&Au · 09-01-2014, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronman

Thanks, Ken. I am looking hard at Hawkshead Talon. Seems like the right product. Do you monitor your tow vehicle too?

Yes, I'm an extreme monitorer. I also monitor the spares on both TT and TV. I have been caught before with a near flat spare. This also provides 2 sensors that can be moved to the road tires in case you lose one on a trip. I have only had one malfunctioning sensor and that may have been hit by a rock. However it was early on and replaced under warranty. Hawkshead has very good support. I was having difficulty setting it up last saturday, and called them with a question. The owner answered the phone on Saturday and helped me figure out what I was messing up. Hawkshead and ProPride have by far the best customer support for any type item that I have dealt with anytime recently.

Ken

Cris · 09-01-2014, 11:55 PM

Just bought a Tiretracker system $212 delivered. Used last weekend very easy to set up and use. Temp and pressure on the valve stem. Cris

Ronman · 09-03-2014, 08:54 PM

Ken...YOU ARE EXTREME but I love it! Never thought about monitoring spares! You have planted the seed in my head!

Thanks!

Ron

dkottum · 09-03-2014, 09:59 PM

I'm the opposite, spent the TPMS money towards new 16" Michelins, which have little to no blowout history. I read tire temps each fuel stop along with my normal walk-around to check security of things. TPMS reduces the chance, but may not protect the trailer from damage with a sudden tire blowout.

Ronman · 09-04-2014, 09:24 PM

I am leaning more toward preventative medicine. We live in California and during the summer, the roads and temperature can get pretty hot in the valley. If spend $600 on a possible prevention, it will be money well spent. We went to an AS rally and met folks who had a blow-out. While the damage was relatively minimal, it will still be considerably more than a set of monitors. I hope it works in my favor!

Ron

cwf · 09-04-2014, 10:04 PM

I like the constant check the system provides. I can see if tires are overheating, over pressure, etc, without stopping.

The technology is there and it works well for us. We learned that tires are running similar in heat and pressure variations. This would be helpful in catching a "problem" and trying to stop before things really go north.

Ag&Au · 09-04-2014, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwf

I like the constant check the system provides. I can see if tires are overheating, over pressure, etc, without stopping.

The technology is there and it works well for us. We learned that tires are running similar in heat and pressure variations. This would be helpful in catching a "problem" and trying to stop before things really go north.

I agree. TPMS's are a great learning tool, if you monitor them while they monitor your tires. They are are of definite value if you ignore them until they alarm. However, if you check them periodically while travelling, you will learn a lot about what temperatures and pressures your tires are subject to during normal use.

Ken

Ronman · 09-04-2014, 10:33 PM

Bottom line...DO NOT simply rely on anything. Always perform your "Pre-Flight" check. Eyes and hands are the best form of analysis. Tech is just a bonus!!

Wayne&Sam · 09-05-2014, 04:52 AM

I'm using our new Dill Tpms for the first time. We get a few lost signal alarms every day. I have the remote antenna under the back seat but will try it further back.

Still, it's nice to have it and resetting is easy.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

**GCinSC2** · 09-05-2014, 05:52 AM

Wayne & Sam,

I run my dill antenna on the roof.

Gary

Wingeezer · 09-05-2014, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

I'm the opposite, spent the TPMS money towards new 16" Michelins, which have little to no blowout history. I read tire temps each fuel stop along with my normal walk-around to check security of things. TPMS reduces the chance, but may not protect the trailer from damage with a sudden tire blowout.

I too recently put on the 16" Michelins and am pleased with them - but I still use a TPMS.

Granted a TPMS is no guarantee against blow outs, but what I have read is that blowouts are very often the result of running a tire at low pressure. If a tire developed a leak through road debris, I'd like to know about it S.A.P to prevent it developing to something worse.

As well, I have heard of people having a blow out and not knowing about it until passing motorists alerted them. If I ever I had a blow out I'd like to stop the trailer as soon as I could to hopefully prevent - or at least minimize damage to the trailer.

But as you say there are no guarantees! I just like to do all I can to minimize chance of problems.

In this regard I also still to a walk around at every stop to give the tires a visual and check temperatures - usually just by hand, but also with an IR temp gauge if I suspect something may be developing with one wheel.

Brian.

Ag&Au · 09-05-2014, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

I'm using our new Dill Tpms for the first time. We get a few lost signal alarms every day. I have the remote antenna under the back seat but will try it further back.

Still, it's nice to have it and resetting is easy.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Your antenna will work best if it is up and in the clear, such as near the rear window. Because of the aluminum trailer and metal TV the sensor signals are bouncing all over the place. You need to have the antenna clear of as much of that metal as possible.

Ken

dznf0g · 09-05-2014, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

I'm the opposite, spent the TPMS money towards new 16" Michelins, which have little to no blowout history. I read tire temps each fuel stop along with my normal walk-around to check security of things. TPMS reduces the chance, but may not protect the trailer from damage with a sudden tire blowout.

Doug, I seem to recall one of the tire experts that post here indicated that most blowouts due to defect begin with a leak and progress rapidly to a sudden loss of air. I am not convinced that TPMS won't help in many blowout situations.
I also think, but can't back it up, that most of the damage to the ASes comes from rolling on a blowout for some distance after sudden loss of air. I think a warning from TPMS will at least minimize damage.

I know on my Doran a sudden loss gives you an INSTANT tone, red light and message. You can test any of them by just unscrewing external sensor and timing the warning issuance.

RMB · 09-30-2014, 12:30 PM

Last year we bought the RV Doran TPS sensor kit for my 23' International. Since then, we have rolled over 25,000km and the units worked just fine. Proof of that was on one occasion when the warning light came on indicating one tire was at 40 psi which made me jump for a second, however it was because of the below freezing temperature we experienced over night in South Dakota. The tire soon warmed up once we got going and the warning went out. I knew the sensors were in fact working.

A few days ago, while winterizing my AS I removed the sensors and for one reason or another one of the sensor lockers was bunged up and needed replacement. "Bummer" I thought, "who is going to replace this!"

I contacted Doran with a request for the part and lo, within a day I received a response and within one more day the sensor locker was mailed. This is Customer Service!

I have read reports of the Doran sensors failing but mine haven't and if they do, I feel confident that the service I will need will be there.

acstokes · 09-30-2014, 02:43 PM

My Dill TPMS has a magnetic antenna holder which I have attached to the inside (bed side) of my truck tailgate and my truck bed is covered over by a cap. Signal has no problem getting through the tailgate to the antenna and I never have dropouts.

The Dill TPMS is one of three components that provide me great peace of mind in my travels. The other two are 16" Michelins/SenDel wheels and a rear view camera system.

Wayne&Sam · 09-30-2014, 03:46 PM

I'm with you acstokes.

Just wrapping up our first real trip with our 2014. 30 days, 3,500 miles.

My dill system does drop out once in a while, but I think relocating the antenna will help.

My rear camera system I'd the best thing I added. All these years I never had a good rear view and now I do. I find myself missing it when the trailer isn't hitched!

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

BigAl · 09-30-2014, 05:54 PM

I am using the Hawkshead Talon tpms. It is way superior in signal strength over the Hawkshead that I had previously. No dropouts and it scrolls through the tire readouts continuously.
I'm happy.
Al

**Rocinante** · 09-30-2014, 10:53 PM

We're using the Truck Systems Technology TPMS with a repeater at the front of the trailer. Thus far it works well for us.

r carl · 10-01-2014, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

I'm the opposite, spent the TPMS money towards new 16" Michelins, which have little to no blowout history. I read tire temps each fuel stop along with my normal walk-around to check security of things. TPMS reduces the chance, but may not protect the trailer from damage with a sudden tire blowout.

x2, I'm not taking any unnecessary chance with st tires.