Retrofitting TPMS to 3rd gen ?

[verk]

I'd like to retrofit a kit when I replace my tires on factory steel wheels. Anybody have any experience or links to a product they know to work well ? I don't need fancy display, would like to see pressure and be warned when pressure drops below a threshold. I see that Amazon sells kits from Schrader, Orange and probably others. I'm not interested in the valve cap variety, want the one that fits inside wheel.

 

[seafish]

I agree that the kits that utilize a tire valve cap replacment are not a great idea, aprticulalrly if towing heavy!!!

Some years ago I researched and eventually bought the kit made by Dill Air Control Products. They are an oem and aftermarket manufacturer and supplier of tire valves and accessories since 1909. I use their Wireless Trailer TPMS kit that can transmit up to 10 sensors and then calibrate it for my truck and trailer. Expensive, yes, but it has worked flawlessly for many years now.

Here is a link--

http://dillaircontrols.com/dill/category/products/tpms/trailer-tpms/

 

[Prairie Dog]

I use a valve cap style TPMS for our trailer that I paid $70 for on fleabay 3 years ago.
Works fantastic!! You don't have to pay a ton for a system that works

 

[lpennock]

I use a valve cap style TPMS for our trailer that I paid $70 for on fleabay 3 years ago.
Works fantastic!! You don't have to pay a ton for a system that works

When you get a tire that starts loosing air make sure you check to see if it is the sender cap. They have a tendency to start leaking around the valve stem threads.

Leonard Pennock (AD7AS)
Sent with Tapatalk

 

[Jim W]

If I could get the TPMS off of my truck I would give this POS to you in a minute. I have a 2008 Ram Mega Cab and see no need for this at all. I check my air pressure once a month and I have no problem in reading a gage and checking the tire air pressure. My truck dings twice and the low air pressure symbol is illuminated every time I start the truck up. I run the front tires at 60 PSI and the rear at 45 PSI when I am using the winter tires. When I use my summer tires the air pressure is 50 PSI and the rear is 45 PSI without my trailer attached when the trailer is attached the front go to 55 PSI and the rear is 70 PSI (the tires are rated at 3415 LBS at 70PSI).

The only time that a TPMS system worked for me was on my wife's 2011 TDI Jetta. I was driving her car and ran over a nail, I heard the tire pop and than the car pull to the Left, the low pressure tire warning illuminated telling me to check the air pressure! REALLY!

This is a crutch for DINK'S and Yuppies who do not know which end of a screw driver to use and the dumbing down of America in my opinion.

 

[RustyJC]

I use the TST 507 system with the flow-through sensors and trailer repeater to get readings from both the truck and 5th wheel. It's done fine for 3 years.

There's a bit of redundancy here since the 2016 3500 has a tire pressure readout function in the EVIC whereas the previous 2011 3500 didn't.

Rusty

 

[seafish]

If I could get the TPMS off of my truck I would give this POS to you in a minute. I have a 2008 Ram Mega Cab and see no need for this at all. I check my air pressure once a month and I have no problem in reading a gage and checking the tire air pressure. My truck dings twice and the low air pressure symbol is illuminated every time I start the truck up. I run the front tires at 60 PSI and the rear at 45 PSI when I am using the winter tires. When I use my summer tires the air pressure is 50 PSI and the rear is 45 PSI without my trailer attached when the trailer is attached the front go to 55 PSI and the rear is 70 PSI (the tires are rated at 3415 LBS at 70PSI).

The only time that a TPMS system worked for me was on my wife's 2011 TDI Jetta. I was driving her car and ran over a nail, I heard the tire pop and than the car pull to the Left, the low pressure tire warning illuminated telling me to check the air pressure! REALLY!

This is a crutch for DINK'S and Yuppies who do not know which end of a screw driver to use and the dumbing down of America in my opinion.

It is true that manually checking truck and tire air pressures obviates the need for a standalone TPMS. That being said, the kind of product that the OP is talking baout, and that Dill manufactures, simply gives a reading of actual tire PSI from each wheel being monitored. It is in fact very convenient and in no way affects operation or warning of the vehicles oem ECM.

The VW TPMS are based on wheel rotational speed that might be affected by tire inflation...tye do not in anyway offer information into actual tire PSI.

IMO, while not necessary, it is convenient to be able to check tire pressures whenever one wants to without having to do a full vehicle and trailer walk around, though a full walk around also has its merits.

 

[RustyJC]

The primary advantage of a TPMS such as the TST 507 is the ability to detect and alarm of changes in tire pressure dynamically. Checking tire pressure first thing in the morning, although admirable, won't help one iota if you pick up a nail or screw while driving down the road.

Rusty

 

[sag2]

If I could get the TPMS off of my truck I would give this POS to you in a minute. I have a 2008 Ram Mega Cab and see no need for this at all. I check my air pressure once a month and I have no problem in reading a gage and checking the tire air pressure. My truck dings twice and the low air pressure symbol is illuminated every time I start the truck up. I run the front tires at 60 PSI and the rear at 45 PSI when I am using the winter tires. When I use my summer tires the air pressure is 50 PSI and the rear is 45 PSI without my trailer attached when the trailer is attached the front go to 55 PSI and the rear is 70 PSI (the tires are rated at 3415 LBS at 70PSI).

The only time that a TPMS system worked for me was on my wife's 2011 TDI Jetta. I was driving her car and ran over a nail, I heard the tire pop and than the car pull to the Left, the low pressure tire warning illuminated telling me to check the air pressure! REALLY!

This is a crutch for DINK'S and Yuppies who do not know which end of a screw driver to use and the dumbing down of America in my opinion.

Would you quit beating around the bush and tell us what you really think!


I have the TST with pass through sensors for the trailer and have been very satisfied with it. If I was going to use it for the truck I would get the in wheel sensors as they are better able to detect overheating.

It's too bad the OEM system cannot be turned off for exactly the reason you describe. Unfortunately the attorneys have made that impossible these days.

 

[lpennock]

It's too bad the OEM system cannot be turned off for exactly the reason you describe. Unfortunately the attorneys have made that impossible these days.

It isn't lawyers in this case, it's the feds. They mandated TPMS needs to trigger at no lower pressure than the tire requires to carry its contribution to GAWR. (I.e. 1/2 gawr for single wheel and 1/4 for duals.) This rule results in too much rear pressure unloaded. Around 2013 they removed the option for manufacturer to provide a light/heave switch.

Dealers use to be able to program a lower value but that went away with the above change to the rules.

Leonard Pennock (AD7AS)
Sent with Tapatalk

 

[Jim W]

The primary advantage of a TPMS such as the TST 507 is the ability to detect and alarm of changes in tire pressure dynamically. Checking tire pressure first thing in the morning, although admirable, won't help one iota if you pick up a nail or screw while driving down the road.

Rusty

I know someone would bring up the trailer tire TPMS monitoring and how great they are for everyone. In my humble opinion they are not worth the money that they cost. Why? I have several reasons! 1: This is a crutch people will not do the walk around and also will not check the tire wheel air pressure nor the wheel lug nut torque. Instead relying on the monitor and it is electronics! Will the TPMS tell you if you have tire bulge? Do you have a sensor on the spare tire and is this checked? Mine spare is checked every trip out! I rub my hands over the tires when checking the air pressure and wheel lug nut torque. 2: Most of the tire failures on a trailer are catastrophicin nature. At least this is what is reported by trailer users who have had tire failures. I know my one tire failure was catastrophic in nature, the tire exploded as I was pulling the trailer. The tire air pressure was checked 10 minutes right before this failure occurred. A TPMS would not have responded in time to prevent the catastrophic tire failure. 3: Too much information overload can occur with the use of these monitors the average person stress out when tire temps rise on one side verses the other side. The tire air pressure rises more than the other side. They become panicky and stress out over this information.
I am sorry I am just old school and I have been in vehicle design for 40 years. The first 20years doing operator stations and have been in a lot of discussion on gauges versus idiot lights. Why the idiot lights? To take away the too much information overload on the operators of earthmoving machines.

 

[Prairie Dog]

When you get a tire that starts loosing air make sure you check to see if it is the sender cap. They have a tendency to start leaking around the valve stem threads.

Leonard Pennock (AD7AS)
Sent with Tapatalk

They get great ratings on eBay and Amazon. They're brass inside and have rubber o-rings and haven't leaked in freezing to triple digits temps during the last three years.
I have noticed that the newer models are not nearly as large as the older ones and that's got to help.
I dont think it's a problem.
In fact, I'll be ordering another set for my truck this spring.

 

[RustyJC]

I know someone would bring up the trailer tire TPMS monitoring and how great they are for everyone. In my humble opinion they are not worth the money that they cost. Why? I have several reasons! 1: This is a crutch people will not do the walk around and also will not check the tire wheel air pressure nor the wheel lug nut torque. Instead relying on the monitor and it is electronics! Will the TPMS tell you if you have tire bulge? Do you have a sensor on the spare tire and is this checked? Mine spare is checked every trip out! I rub my hands over the tires when checking the air pressure and wheel lug nut torque. 2: Most of the tire failures on a trailer are catastrophicin nature. At least this is what is reported by trailer users who have had tire failures. I know my one tire failure was catastrophic in nature, the tire exploded as I was pulling the trailer. The tire air pressure was checked 10 minutes right before this failure occurred. A TPMS would not have responded in time to prevent the catastrophic tire failure. 3: Too much information overload can occur with the use of these monitors the average person stress out when tire temps rise on one side verses the other side. The tire air pressure rises more than the other side. They become panicky and stress out over this information.
I am sorry I am just old school and I have been in vehicle design for 40 years. The first 20years doing operator stations and have been in a lot of discussion on gauges versus idiot lights. Why the idiot lights? To take away the too much information overload on the operators of earthmoving machines.

If you don't want to know what your tire pressure is at any given time, then don't buy one. I've saved a tire and damage to an RV by detecting a screw that one 5th wheel tire picked up, so the TPMS has more than paid for itself.

Rusty

 

[Killgore]

I can't see behind me 38', because I'm usually looking ahead. I do the walk-around with a temperature gun checking brakes and bearings. And yes, I have a TST-TPMS that also watches things for me. Oh, I almost forgot all those after-market gauges and special coolers that I consider so essential. My insurance is paid up and I also have an umbrella policy along with a loaded firearm. Why? Because things do go wrong and I've been there and I will do what's necessary to avoid a bad situation.

 

[verk]

Thanks to everybody that replied with brands and models of TPMS systems they have used. Searching Google for "Dodge Ram" and "TPMS" and "Schrader" OR "Orange" I find very little written. I called VDO/Contintental USA as I see their sensors at work and consider them to be quality, but they didn't return my call yet. This morning I called Schrader and talked with a helpful tech. Kit that includes a hard-wired display (12V) and qty. 4 tire sensors ( made in Ireland ) that fit .453" rim holes is part SCH-WRK-4PC and can be purchased online. They also make a kit with battery powered display. The sensors of this kit are paired to display so no TPMS programming needed. If I go with this kit my plan is to wire display to truck and then bring to tire shop when installing new tires. In this way, any problems will be realized at tire shop.

 

[verk]

An informal review of the Schrader TPMS retrofit kit as follow-up to this discussion (see previous posts for part numbers). This is an OEM type kit with Schrader sensors being fitted inside the wheel. The sensors themselves are made in Ireland and seem to be identical to OEM style sensors made by Schrader operating at 433Mhz. I had the tire sensors installed last week while having new tires installed which would seem a logical time to have this upgrade done if interested in adding in-wheel TPMS. I finished the installation by wiring and mounting the display ( made in China ) which needs both ignition and constant power source. The two easiest places I can think of to get ignition and constant ( battery ) power with 3rd gen trucks are the accessory plugs ( one is ignition and the other constant ) and the stereo. Mounting location seems flexible based on small display size and assorted angles with included mounting bracket and VHB ( very high bond ) tape. My ashtray broke many years ago and the void left by removing it provided a nice place for display which is out of harms way ( see attached photo ).

As for actual form and function of the unit, it is well designed and usable with a readable, backlit display ( see attached photo which is of the battery powered display ). The display is only large enough to show one tire's pressure and temperature at a time, but there is a "rotation" feature which will continue to scroll through each tire every couple of seconds until told to stop. Having it on provides an interesting way to assess differences between tires and monitor changes to temperature and pressure as tires warm up. This is particularly interesting to me because I can see the tires warm as I drive as well as the effect of temperature on pressure. Regardless of what the display is showing pressure, temperature and low sensor battery alarms are always active. Pressure and temperature alarms are pre-programmed as a percentage of configured pressure and temperature so if you configure your desired pressure for 62psi, for example, your alarm will be somewhere around 50psi. Learning the sensors is easy, let >= 1psi out of tire while in the learn mode. There is also a tire rotation function for when you rotate tires as well as the ability to have 5th sensor in spare be displayed on screen. I think this kit does a really good job at it's intended purpose which is for vehicle only TPMS ( not for trailers as unit can only show 5 sensors ). It utilizes mainstream sensors, a small instrument which can easily be added to vehicle and a display that shows the important information and communicates alarms with red lights and audible alarms. To have been able to see all four wheel's pressure simultaneously would have been better, but at the expense of ease of mounting a smaller instrument. Furthermore I wonder why no aftermarket radio manufacturers implemented TPMS into their single or double DIN headunits as the radio technology and programming of these sensors is easy and seems a natural for the stereo aftermarket. Anyways, the Schrader retrofit kit is a thumbs-up from me for anybody looking to add in-wheel, vehicle-only TPMS to their truck.

Afterthought: As an infrequent tire pressure checker ( mostly visual awareness looking for differences in how inflated tires looked ) it is a strange feeling to all of a sudden know pressure and temperature all the time. Like somebody removed the subtle anxiety with being too lazy to check every day. I also now know that any damage to a tire while operating can be detected and having this information is very helpful in minimizing the kind of serious tire failure that I've only ever heard of. This is much more profound than I would have imagined.

Update after a few weeks: one sensor is consistently 4+ F degrees higher than the others regardless of temperature. Annoying but the pressure seems to correct.

 

[Ozymandias]

Would you quit beating around the bush and tell us what you really think!


I have the TST with pass through sensors for the trailer and have been very satisfied with it. If I was going to use it for the truck I would get the in wheel sensors as they are better able to detect overheating.

It's too bad the OEM system cannot be turned off for exactly the reason you describe. Unfortunately the attorneys have made that impossible these days.

Sure it can be turned off, even by your self with an AutoEnginuity Tool. Dealers are not allowed to do this.
Set the Country code for your Truck from USA/Canada to "Rest of World", then switch to the TPMS and just click on Disable. And it is gone.
So did I.

To change the set alarm values for the TPMS is another Battlefield, but turn it off is an easy task.