Best TPMS for an Airstream

[PB_NB]

Originally Posted by steilkurve

Are the OEM stems on your sport metal or you had to replace them?

Here is a shot of mine:

If you push it sideways, it will move.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Dill 902-W.
The one with the "shoulder nut".

Have seen these on ebay. I would search "bolt in" and Shoulder nut"

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by PB_NB

Here is a shot of mine:

If you push it sideways, it will move.

\
If you can move it, it is not a bolt in metal valve stem.


Videos of stems moving and failure
HP 600 rubber valve stem is Ok to use with external TPMS sensors but you can see the HP-600 is still flexible.
https://youtu.be/Kj1VnOefDMU

Here is proof that an HP rubber stem can fail when a TPM sensor is installed.
https://youtu.be/G-R3-MNaFB4

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by Prettygood

When I bought it, they offered a two external sensor pack. I have a Bambi too. Check Amazon but they may have pulled that package.

I know that Tire Traker will sell you anything from 1 sensor 2,3,4,5 etc to a dozen depending on your needs. I believe TST and would assume TireMinder would also.

I run 7 sensor. 6 on the road + 1 on spare so i know my spare is always properly inflated (and i am too lazy to dig out the "basement " to get to the spare tire valve.)

[steilkurve]

Originally Posted by PB_NB

Here is a shot of mine:

If you push it sideways, it will move.

Turns out I have the exact same valve despite AS support telling me it was all metal. Base is rubber and it does move around easily. See photo. Will have to swap out the valve should I want to install TMPS.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by steilkurve

Turns out I have the exact same valve despite AS support telling me it was all metal. Base is rubber and it does move around easily. See photo. Will have to swap out the valve should I want to install TMPS.

Obviously whoever you talked with at AS does not know much about tire valves.

[VeloBuckeye]

While I have not had any issues thus far with my external TPMS sensors on my metal/rubber combo stems, I fully plan on swapping to metal stems this winter (no time to do it now) -- even though TST says not needed I feel it's better to be safe then sorry.

In the meantime, I inserted some rubber cone washers I had lying around over the stems and slid them down into the valve hole opening. A noticeable reduction in the amount of "play" or flex - I'd estimate about 75% less flex. Not a permanent solution, but it appears to be reducing valve stem flex while I get around to the permanent fix.

[Mollysdad]

I noticed my Tundra rims have the same 902-W stems and for the same reason, the valve is recessed.

I changed to metal stems myself because in my reptile brain I always think I'll be more careful than a guy at a tire store. I was, but it's a dirty job. Not technically difficult with a couple tools, but time consuming.
Here's my post:
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f31...ms-183020.html

In hindsight, I probably could have seated the bead by removing the valve core from the stem before inflating, thus allowing more air in faster.
Next time I'll know.

[JimDarla]

Do you have rubber valve stems? If so, how long have you used the TPMS on them?

[wbrisett]

Originally Posted by JimDarla

Do you have rubber valve stems? If so, how long have you used the TPMS on them?

I've had TPMS on my tires for 5 years now, I've not had issues with them. Why do you ask about rubber valve stems?

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by JimDarla

Do you have rubber valve stems? If so, how long have you used the TPMS on them?

I have rubber valve stems also for past 3 years on my TST system with screw on transmitter caps. No issues for me 48K miles now and on second set of GYE's.

[Tireman9]

Most know and understand that rubber "ages-Out". This goes for tires, windshield wipers and valve stems. There are many varables to the age and flex failure of valve stems. Angle in the wheel, weight of the TPM sensor being the major variables. If you don't have actual nuts on the outside or inside of the stem it isn't a "bolt-in" stem. Some stems come with a metal outer sleeve but are still basically "snap-in" stems and are not "bolt-in" stems. If you can move your stem at all when you push on it it isn't bolt in or the stem wasn't installed properly.
Here is a side by side picture of two types of rubber stems and a couple different bolt in

[bmorris254]

On a trip I noted that one tire was 20F more than the others. When fueling the temperature alarm went off at 160F. The wheel and hub was very hot. We were 90 miles from the next town, I found a shop that supported Dexter. They pulled the wheel and drum and one of the brake pads with broken springs fell out. There was minimum scoring of the drum and they had the replacement brake assembly … it took an hour to fix. I would not have known this if it wasn’t for the temperature monitor. And it could have real bad on I/10 in West Texas.

[steilkurve]

While I plan on swapping my valves to metal ones in the not too distant future, I've gone ahead and installed the Tireminder i10 on my trailer. Did so after speaking to a friend who's been running a Tireminder system on rubber valves for 8 years without issues. Figured it was better to have a reading than not until the valves are swapped. I've been checking the wheels and see no sign of the sensors hitting the rims or anything else but will keep a close eye until such time metal valves are in. Really happy with the system. Appreciate the peace of mind.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by steilkurve

While I plan on swapping my valves to metal ones in the not too distant future, I've gone ahead and installed the Tireminder i10 on my trailer. Did so after speaking to a friend who's been running a Tireminder system on rubber valves for 8 years without issues. Figured it was better to have a reading than not until the valves are swapped. I've been checking the wheels and see no sign of the sensors hitting the rims or anything else but will keep a close eye until such time metal valves are in. Really happy with the system. Appreciate the peace of mind.

I too have been running on rubber valves on our 28' for past 3 years with no issues. fyi...

[wbrisett]

I recently had a blow-out, which was ironic because despite the Goodyear's having great tread, they were 3 years old and I was starting to feel it was time to replace them. I had been using the TST system with the stock rubber valve stems. However, last year when I purchased my new truck, it came with the optional trailer TPMS metal stems. So when I had the tires replaced, they installed the new TPMS/valves along with the tires. I'm actually quite happy that the system is now integrated into the truck because I hated having all those devices plugged in and taking up room everywhere on trips. But I didn't really notice any difference using the rubber stems.

[PB_NB]

After reading the install instructions from TST I went ahead and used my rubber stems which seems to be okay with TST. They worked well and I was surprised to see the temp had such an effect on the pressure.

I feel safer now!

[VeloBuckeye]

I plan to move to metal stems next season when I replace the tires. Haven’t had a problem with the stock rubber stems but I pushed rubber cone washers into the valve stem opening. Really reduces the flex.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by VeloBuckeye

I plan to move to metal stems next season when I replace the tires. Haven’t had a problem with the stock rubber stems but I pushed rubber cone washers into the valve stem opening. Really reduces the flex.

Attachment 400719

This is a great idea.

Where does one find rubber cone washers?

[VeloBuckeye]

Originally Posted by WhereStream

This is a great idea.



Where does one find rubber cone washers?

Most hardware stores carry them. They’re really not cone shaped, but rather have a more narrow section at one end.