2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Dually tire pressure

[rborn]

I recently became the owner of a 98. 5 Ram 3500, my first Dually ever. I have a silly question I was attempting to check the air pressure in the rear tires last night and discovered that the inner tire valve is very hard to get to. I wasn't able to get my hand between the tires to even unscrew the valve cap. I think I can probably get to it through the opening of the outer wheel if I use a long needle nose pliers. Is there some other trick to doing this, other than contracting with my daughter with teenie hands that fit between the tires? I was feeling a slight pull to the left when driving on the highway and suspected low pressure. The left outer tire was at 42 psi and the right outer tire was at 60 psi. Might this be enough to explain the pull?

 

[diesel DOG]

I think it was a 12 point 3/8 socket that will grab the cap and remove it. Well you get the idea so try a few.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Dually

Get a set of those plastic valve stem extenders (mine came with them) and rig you up a long air chuck to do the duallies. The standard air chuck is 1/4" pipe so that part is easy, then go buy a truck type air gauge, now you are all set except the pull. The duallies on mine get 65# loaded nd 45# empty. bg

 

[RustyJC]

I use a length of rubber fuel line hose (1/2", I think). It's a perfect fit over the inner tire's valve stem cap. It works fine to remove and replace the cap. You'll also need a dually tire gauge and air chuck, of course.



I use a short plastic valve stem extension on the outer dually to keep from having to remove a valve stem cap that's pointing backwards!



I had the braided steel (inner) and solid steel (outer) valve stem extensions on my 1996 dually - they were a little easier than my current setup, but not a lot.



Rusty

 

[y-knot]

I wouldn't screew around with any goofy hose, do like the other poster said, and do it right. Get your self some valve steem ex-tenders, they are very cheap, and do come in different lengths. Also while you are out, buy yourself a good tire pressure guage that has the two way end, it's made to check both inner and outer tires. You might want to take the tires off to add the extenders, it's alot easier, and probally a good thing to know, since you are a new dually owner. I usually run 50 # air in the rears, and 65#'s in the front. Different pressures in the rear don't affect the steering as much as the wear rate on the rears. It is important to keep the fronts the same. Also the backs get torqued to 145 lbs. ft. Good luck

 

[illflem]

After the added weight of an extender ripped a valve stem off I'll never use one again. Truck type air chuck works fine. Never thought I had little hands but no problem with the cap.

 

[FJfonda]

I use a 18" dowel with a rubber hose stuffed on one end. Match the sizes to the valve cap. Non towing 72# fr 55# rear. Towing 72# fr 65# rear. This varies significantly when changing tire brands. There is a pretty big diffference in pressure I run between winter and summer tires. I rotate too much to mess with the braided extenders... . but if you do use them the ZIP brand is the best as they are isolated from the tire pressure. ie... if the rip off the tire doesn't go flat like the others.

 

[RustyJC]

Lessons learned from the motorhomes and other RV's with duallies - if you use the braided steel, long solid steel or other heavy extender, as Bill pointed out do not use them with rubber valve stems!



Rusty

 

[rborn]

Thanks to everyone!

 

[Utah Willie]

I have had the braided extenders that have the inlet end bolted to a bracket that is pop-riveted to the hub 180 degrees from each other... for nearly five years with only one problem where I rotated the tires and ... :{ ... forgot to really tighten the hoses at the valve stems..... Thankfully, the problem was only on the outside tires... . I was able to get back home (just a couple miles) without peeling the tires from the rims... ...

 

[csevers]

I have also had valve stems ripped off with the extenders on but it depends on where you drive I was off road with trailer in semi frozen mush and a chunck took out the valve stem. I run my fronts at #90 to get the best tire wear and #42 in the rear loaded or empty.



Craig

 

[Pit Bull]

Don't have caps on the rears. 70 lbs front, 45 lbs rear.

 

[JWhitcomb]

Put a one inch metal extension on the outer to allow the gauge better access and get a air gauge that has both a straight and angled head on it.

 

[OTRPU]

I use a short to medium length metal extender. I found that a truck tire guage with both straight and an angled air nozzle works best. And I mean straight, not the usual one that has the whole air nozzle angled. I can't get that one to line up straight with the inside stem. I probably check my tire inflation more than most, need to sign off on it every day. Searched until I found what I think is the easiest for reaching both the stems. Have heard many horror stories about the stainless braided line extenders that are nailed to the cap where they're much easier to reach. So I haven't tried them as yet. But I could sure use easy.



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Tow Safe,

Steve J.