Check your valve stems!!

[WestTN]

While prepping my travel trailer for the first outing this year I checked tire pressures and aired up to the maximum. When I checked the spare I found it had only 2 psi. Checking closer I discovered the valve stem had split radially and almost fell off in my hand. Every tire and stem on the trailer is less than 4 years old. I decided I needed to re-check the 4 on the ground. I found the front right wheel had a defective stem on it. It was splitting just like the spare. At this point I took 2 wheels off and took those and the spare to the local Co-op for replacement stems and balancing. When I returned to pick them up and reinstell them the tech informed me he had found another stem that was also ready to fail! That means I was ready to have 2 tire failures AND have no spare! I took these home and returned with the other 2 wheels to finish the job. I have always used wheel covers to eliminate sun damage, so that was not the problem.

There were no more problems found, but I feel those found were certainly enough to ruin our trip if not also our health. Please take the time to check yours before you use it again.

 

[JMetzger]

I always use metal valve stems. Since using them I don't have valve stem problems anymore.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I'm surprised you have what sounds like the common "push in" rubber base valve stems for low PSI use - I run 60 PSI in my trailer tires, and use the "bolt in" type for a secure and failure proof installation...

 

[AH64ID]

I got new 80 psi 10 ply tires a few months ago... and they put low PSI stems in... now there are some high psi rubbers, but these were low... glad I caught it before airing up...

 

[WilsonF]

I know that there is a difference between rubber and metal valve stems but have never heard of low pressure and high pressure stems.

Floyd

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I know that there is a difference between rubber and metal valve stems but have never heard of low pressure and high pressure stems.



Floyd

Me neither, but if they're still made from rubber, I have the same concerns about deterioration and failure over time as I would the low PSI version. My steel versions have been on the trailer for 20 years, with no problems...

 

[JMetzger]

I agree with Gary. I had a rubber valve stem rot out & blew out of the rim. This is why I use metal valve stems like Gary 20+ years.



Jack

 

[WestTN]

One of the defective stems was metal.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

One of the defective stems was metal.

Well, that IS odd...



Must be the sealing washer deteriorated - or else the retaining nut came loose?

 

[WestTN]

I should have said that one was a brass and rubber stem. And my tires are 50 psi maximum inflation pressure

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I should have said that one was a brass and rubber stem. And my tires are 50 psi maximum inflation pressure

Well, in any event, your advice is well taken - we can get complacent even with what we THINK are the "best" setups - you made me go check mine - all OK - but still a good maintenance item...

 

[JGilbert]

I have decided that I REALLY need to get metal valve stems on my trailer. My question is how do I do it? What is the best way? The wife and I retired mid June and are now touring the country with our truck and 5th wheel trailer. I am not physically able to manhandle getting the tires off the trailer and into the back of the truck. So is the best way to find a tire dealer that will do it for me if I bring the trailer to him? Do tire dealers work on 5th wheel trailer tires?

So many questions... ... not many answers.

Joe

 

[HBarlow]

Joe,



A retail tire store probably carries the metal stems and would change them out for you for a fee. They'll service and install tires on trailers. A tire retailer that handles truck tires certainly could/would.

 

[THoltz]

I have decided that I REALLY need to get metal valve stems on my trailer. My question is how do I do it? What is the best way? The wife and I retired mid June and are now touring the country with our truck and 5th wheel trailer. I am not physically able to manhandle getting the tires off the trailer and into the back of the truck. So is the best way to find a tire dealer that will do it for me if I bring the trailer to him? Do tire dealers work on 5th wheel trailer tires?



So many questions... ... not many answers.



Joe

Call Discount Tire. They are nation wide.

 

[JGilbert]

The only problem I have with Discount Tire is that most of the stores I've seen have extremely small parking lots. I have not seen many that could accommodate my 39 foot fifth wheel trailer.

I like the suggestion of a truck tire retailer though. They would seemingly need a larger facility.

Joe

 

[benhall]

Do the metal type bolt in valve stems work on the aluminum wheels on the 2500's? I am putting on new tires in a few weeks and I am one of those that put on new valve stems every time I put new tires on. Also, if I can use the bolt in type, what size (hole in the wheel) of stem do I need?



Thanks for the help

Ben

 

[AKAMAC]

Yes they do. There are two different bushings used, the smaller one is used for passenger style wheels and a larger one for truck and commercial applications.

 

[BDaugherty]

I carry spare valve stems of the correct size for truck and trailer in my tire plug kit. It can be time consuming, but it's not too tough to change a valve stem on the side of the road.

I'm NOT saying that spares are a substitute for inspections and preventive maintenance, but they're still cheap and easy to carry.

 

[MLee]

why yell??

I carry spare valve stems of the correct size for truck and trailer in my tire plug kit. It can be time consuming, but it's not too tough to change a valve stem on the side of the road.

I'm NOT saying that spares are a substitute for inspections and preventive maintenance, but they're still cheap and easy to carry.

Quit yelling, we can hear you just fine. Please use the REGULAR print.

Thank you

 

[MLee]

Some tire dealers won't touch a trailers suspension, and ask you to please remove the tire from the trailer. Some don't have a problem because they know how to do it.

Less Shwab can do the stem change to metal and size you need.

The regular tire stores try to push the rubber ones, high and low pressure, don't buy it. There are chinese one on the market and they had a re-call this last summer on them. So for safety just, change them to the metal ones. Same with your truck.