Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Two Hams in a Can on February 11, 2017, 01:38:26 pm
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The weather has given us a day or two without freezing temps, so we are getting "Fawkes" ready to fly. We bought a TPMS and lo and behold when I looked for the tire valves on the dual rear wheels, I can see one from the inside tire peeking out needing a metal extension; but, the outside tire valve is nowhere in sight (WH). Any ideas where it might be? :help
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The outside valve actually faces in toward the inside wheel. Very difficult to see.
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Thanks John. I took another look and don't see one even pointed back in. Taking "Fawkes" to an RV shop to have extensions done on all six so I can use my new http://www.tiretraker.com/proddetail.php?prod=TT500-6 :)(:
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Just in case you are not aware, adding extensions and a TPMS has led to failure of the valve stems if the stems are rubber not metal. I think, but I'm not sure that Phoenix uses metal stems now, but not sure what was used in the past. Lots of reports of flats caused by the slight extra weight of the TPMS sensors causing the valve stem to fail. Kind of ironic that the device you add to monitor tire failure actually causes tire failure.
Not to worry you, but you might ask the tire shop about the valve stems already mounted.
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I went down to the garage to check out our 2007 PC with the stainless steel valve extenders. We have very short seemingly steel valve stems. The outer tires have a 180 degree steel valve extender and then the stainless steel braided lines. The arrangement seems ripe for fatigue failure.
It is hard to tell without taking it apart, but I think we have this which seems worse than a TPS hanging on the end of the valve stem.
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjY3WDkwNg==/z/8qkAAOSw~bFWHR92/$_35.JPG?set_id=880000500F)
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As I understand it, if the valve stems are steel there is no problem. I was researching TPMS systems and came across at lot of complaints about the valve stem failure after a TPMS was installed. The problem occurred with different TPMS systems and different coaches. The common thread seemed to be that the valve stems were rubber, not steel. The recommended action was to have rubber valve stems replaced with steel.
I have not heard of this issue with any Phoenix unit, so possibly they have always come with steel valve stems and it is not an issue on our rigs.
Also, your extenders shown have a clip that anchors the extenders to the rim I believe. That also seems to solve the issue as there is no chance the rubber stem is going to be rubbing or bouncing against the rim as reported by the people with failures. Some people reported failures with similar extenders as you show, but only after the clips came loose.
Not trying to alarm anyone, it is likely not an issue with PC's, just something to be aware of.
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Our unit came with steel valves. It also came with braided stainless extension for the back. I had TST tire pressure/temperature sensors. I was not happy with the rear tire valves. Based on comments from others on the various motor home forums I replaced all the rear tire valves with Borg valves. The TST sensors seem to work well with them. Tire Man is another brand that many others have been satisfied with. The valves came with a rubber grommet to mount in the wheel to help support the long valves. I think this is particularly important when adding the weight of the sensor.
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Oh, the valves will be metal fer sure. All of our past fulltiming RVs had steel valves. The previous owner of our "Fawkes" left us with new tires that have steel valve stems. . .just two rear outboard tires aren't accessible! Go figure. (WH) :)(:
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Could be that the outboard new tires were incorrectly mounted on the rims (not aligning the valve stem with a D-hole in the rim)
- Mike
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Oh, the valves will be metal fer sure. All of our past fulltiming RVs had steel valves. The previous owner of our "Fawkes" left us with new tires that have steel valve stems. . .just two rear outboard tires aren't accessible! Go figure. (WH) :)(:
The valve stems are supposed to be 180 degrees apart when the wheels are mounted, so look where your inner valve is and then look at the wheel hole opposite where the inner is and you shoul be able to see the tip of the inner valve.
Also.. Make sure the shop tightens the schrader valve that is mounted inside the extension! They are not always fully screwed in when new and you can end up with a slow leak!
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Could be that the outboard new tires were incorrectly mounted on the rims (not aligning the valve stem with a D-hole in the rim)
- Mike
That's not possible, the hole in the wheel itself, where the valve is installed is always in the middle of a D-hole as you call it.
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Could be that the outboard new tires were incorrectly mounted on the rims (not aligning the valve stem with a D-hole in the rim)
- Mike
That's not possible, the hole in the wheel itself, where the valve is installed is always in the middle of a D-hole as you call it.
2o2