Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Bruce on December 22, 2016, 11:43:55 pm
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I’m wondering if any 2017 Phoenix Cruiser Ford chassis model has wheel covers that differ from the regular Ford wheel covers on older models. If so, I’m interested to know the size of the hole in the wheel cover that allows access to the tire valve stem. These holes in our Ford wheel covers are narrow--about 2” x 2 ½”. I’ve read on the PC main website that at least some 2017 models have “Phoenix USA, Inc. wheel covers” that might be slightly different from the previous Ford wheel covers. The photo of one 2017 2910T unit has tire covers that seem to have a somewhat wider opening to the tire valve stem.
In case you wonder why I ask, the valve cover caps on our PC tires are Pressure Pro Tire Pressure Monitoring System devices. When removing the ones on the front wheels to adjust tire pressure, I often drop them inside the wheel cover because the opening in the Ford wheel cover is small and my fingers can’t grip the caps well. That means next removing and then reinstalling the entire wheel cover to retrieve the cap—not an easy task for me.
If the PC wheel cover’s valve stem opening is even a little larger than on the Ford wheel cover, that would make the job much easier.
Happy holidays to all,
Bruce
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I'm also interested....and for the same reason.
- Mike
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We have the same problem on our 2014 2552. I found on the front wheels that I can push the TPMS cap out the back of the wheel with a flexible parts retriever so I don't have to take the wheel cover off. My tire guys says the real solution is aluminum wheels which have no wheel covers. They also have larger holes so you can get your hand into the inside dually wheel valve stem. Kind of an expensive fix.
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John,
Interesting alternative to removing the wheel cover. I don't think I've ever been able to see the TPMS cap down at the bottom of the wheel, but maybe I just didn't look closely.
Is the tool you use something like this: 24", flexible claw grabber pickup tool shown in this link?
http://www.truevalue.com//catalog/product.jsp?productId=42842&parentCategoryId=0&type=product&cid=gooshop&source=google_pla&9gtype=%7Bifsearch:search%7D%7Bifcontent:content%7D&9gkw=%7Bkeyword%7D&9gad=%7Bcreative%7D.1&9gpla=%7Bplacement%7D&ctcampaign=4680&ctkwd=%7Bproduct_id%7D&ctmatch=&ctcreative=%7BCreative%7D&ctplacement=406207-44622122499&gclid=CjwKEAiA1vjCBRDd-9q3w4OF6WUSJACWv_sVfye9PcxQKK4y-VTGpfnBMj9gqcpZPI7fPpDwvPNjRhoC-vzw_wcB#fullDescription
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i had the same problem, replacing the wheel cover is a terrible job.
my solution is to hold a cloth behind the valve stem, if you drop the sensor it won't drop behind the cover. works for me.
dave
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Dave,
What a great idea to place a cloth behind the TPMS cap to trap it. I'll give that a try next time.
Thanks,
Bruce
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Is the tool you use something like this: 24", flexible claw grabber pickup tool shown in this link?
http://www.truevalue.com//catalog/product.jsp?productId=42842&parentCategoryId=0&type=product&cid=gooshop&source=google_pla&9gtype=%7Bifsearch:search%7D%7Bifcontent:content%7D&9gkw=%7Bkeyword%7D&9gad=%7Bcreative%7D.1&9gpla=%7Bplacement%7D&ctcampaign=4680&ctkwd=%7Bproduct_id%7D&ctmatch=&ctcreative=%7BCreative%7D&ctplacement=406207-44622122499&gclid=CjwKEAiA1vjCBRDd-9q3w4OF6WUSJACWv_sVfye9PcxQKK4y-VTGpfnBMj9gqcpZPI7fPpDwvPNjRhoC-vzw_wcB#fullDescription
Yes, that's it.
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I found a solution to my problem of dropping the TPMS caps into the back of the front wheel covers. Today I had a repair shop swap out the steel valve stems for brass stems. The brass stems can be bent to make the TPMS caps stick slightly out of the holes in the wheel covers. Now I can grab them just like I can with the ones on the rear wheels.
The shop charged $40 labor to dismount/remount the two wheels with the new valve stems installed. The stems cost $7.67. Total cost of this job was $47.67--I think it's a real bargain to reduce the stress I've always had when needing to add air to the front tires.
--Bruce
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Nice! 2o2. Another project for my list.
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As I understand, Ford does not supply wheel covers for their DRW E-Series Motor Home chassis. Regardless of RV brand, every motor home sold with an E-Series chassis will have aftermarket wheel covers. The same might apply with the other chassis manufactures.