Rams' Trailer TPMS anyone?

[DLeno]

Greetings all,

I'm in a discovery process for a (probably issue 118) TDRV column to discuss the fitment and usefulness of Ram's trailer TPMS system for recreational towing. I just got my 2022 in, and discovered that the TPMS sensors will not fit my wheels supplied by Alliance RV for my 35-foot fifthwheel (aluminum wheels, 4200-lb tires on 7,000 lb. axles).

If you have tried the trailer TPMS on your 2019-2022 rig please share your experience -- I'm trying to find out if this is a big problem or a little problem.

thanks!

-Doug

 

[endoscott]

Tire Safety and TPMS | TST Tire Pressure Monitors | TechnoRV

I got TST monitors that screw on valve stems for both of our 5th wheels. They seem very reliable. I take them off in the winter when trailers not being used. It would be nicer to have them integrated with the truck I guess, but it's pretty easy anyway with the little monitor they supply.

I realize this does not answer your actual question....

 

[DLeno]

yes for sure. its so attractive to avoid putting another screen on the dash!

 

[bcbender]

its so attractive to avoid putting another screen on the dash!

I agree with that!.. I cannot stand all the additional monitors etc.. but I too have the screw on ones from Tire Minder, and the little monitor sits in the console, if there is a problem it beeps really loud so no need to have heads up, and I can share the sensors on all my trailers. JM2C, I probably would not order it on a new truck and mine does not have it.

 

[Jim W]

Nothing works like checking your tires with an accurate tire gage. When I was towing my 5ER I would check my tires every morning before setting out for that days journey. I would check each tire and run my hand over each tire looking for irregularities in the tires, I would also check lug nut torque’s. Then at each rest stop about every two hours or so, I would check each tire temperature with an IF heat gun.
To many people rely on gadgets and they will fail you when you need them the most. Just look at all of the questions users of TPMS post since they have information over load and don’t understand the physics of tires when using them.
I have seen posters who have TPMS want to lower the tire pressure so, when the tires heat up they are at the recommended tire pressure. Need I say more!

 

[AH64ID]

I have a Tire Minder by my '22 was ordered with the trailer TPMS.

I'll keep the Tire Minder for trailers I don't tow often.

I've read mixed reviews on the compatibility of them with aluminum trailer wheels, I guess time will tell.

Nothing works like checking your tires with an accurate tire gage. When I was towing my 5ER I would check my tires every morning before setting out for that days journey. I would check each tire and run my hand over each tire looking for irregularities in the tires,

True, but that won’t do anything for a road hazard induced flat. Every trailer flat I’ve had the tire was fine when I left the house or campsite. I’ve found one flat the next morning after a slow leak, but the rest have been while driving and a TPMS would have been able to provide earlier warning that just looking in the mirror.

I want to know my trailer tire pressure when I leave, and while I’m driving.

New tools are great.

 

[Tuesdak]

The TPMS System on a 2500 towing saved us a rear pickup tire coming apart and doing damage after it ate a bolt. The RV and pickup tires were checked that morning before hitting the road. Tire was ruined by the bolt hole, but, got it pulled over and stopped before it completely lost air and started coming apart from the TPMS warning going off. One time for all the PIA the system has caused with bad sensors, receivers, radio interference triggering the light to go on, and inability for 2500 pickups to set proper unloaded tire pressures.

yes for sure. its so attractive to avoid putting another screen on the dash!

I take exception to this.

Monitors on top of the dash like a GPS, Smarty Touch, Tire monitor, etc. are a quick glance to see what's up and still have side vision for things happening on the road. I don't have to fiddle around with "Select A Screen" to get the information I want shown on just one display.

A built in GPS Navigation radio we happened to get in SOB is the biggest pile of junk doing everything different than a Garmin and no advanced expected features: I have to select the zoom via a obscure procedure vs instant touchscreen gesture and/or +/- taps. It, in fact, now has a Garmin (1/4 the cost of the OEM NAV option) on top of the dash.

So don't offhand dismiss the "Throw it out the window, back over it just to be sure, then go get a new modern working (trailer TPMS) device and slap it on the dash." as a solution to factory installed options: that get outdated, INOP, or are not fit for the purpose intended now or later.

 

[Wiredawg]

I added aftermarket TPMS on my 5500 and MH. I like seeing actual PSI and temp numbers (verified with air gauge and heat gun) on the go. Even added sensors to my Jeep when towing. Both monitors blend in well with dash layouts.

 

[Jim W]

True, but that won’t do anything for a road hazard induced flat. Every trailer flat I’ve had the tire was fine when I left the house or campsite. I’ve found one flat the next morning after a slow leak, but the rest have been while driving and a TPMS would have been able to provide earlier warning that just looking in the mirror.

I have never ever seen a TPMS system respond fast enough on any vehicle I have owned to prevent a tire failure with damage to the tire. My experience has been on cars mainly. My wife's old VW had one tire go flat and was damaged by the puncture in the sidewall of the tire. I felt the tire go flat and was pulling over to change the tire when the TPMS came on and showed a symbol of a low tire pressure.

My other experience was on my Cougar 5th wheel where I had a catastrophic tire failure. We just had started out for that morning's drive from the campground. I had just pulled on the interstate and wasn't even up to speed yet when we heard a loud explosion. The tire had exploded no TPMS could have indicated a failure that fast.

Of course, my truck TPMS is always lit showing low tire pressure as I run 50 PSI in the rears all summer long when the trailer is not attached.

 

[BigPapa]

We just had started out for that morning's drive from the campground.

So, you missed something on your manual check?

Just poking at you. Couldn't resist...

 

[endoscott]

Ah, he teed that up for you BigPapa...

 

[AH64ID]

I have never ever seen a TPMS system respond fast enough on any vehicle I have owned to prevent a tire failure with damage to the tire. My experience has been on cars mainly. My wife's old VW had one tire go flat and was damaged by the puncture in the sidewall of the tire. I felt the tire go flat and was pulling over to change the tire when the TPMS came on and showed a symbol of a low tire pressure.

My other experience was on my Cougar 5th wheel where I had a catastrophic tire failure. We just had started out for that morning's drive from the campground. I had just pulled on the interstate and wasn't even up to speed yet when we heard a loud explosion. The tire had exploded no TPMS could have indicated a failure that fast.

Of course, my truck TPMS is always lit showing low tire pressure as I run 50 PSI in the rears all summer long when the trailer is not attached.

That's because both of those were quick catastrophic failures, which are rare these days. Most catastrophic failures occur from low pressure (TPMS helps) and then overheating, and large cuts/punctures. One can usually be prevented with tpms, the other can’t. Slow leaks are more common than fast leaks.

If you have a slow leak then you will certainly benefit from a TPMS. The TPMS on my trailer reacts FAST. When I pull the valve cap sensor the monitor shows 0 psi within seconds, so if there is a leak once the psi is below the threshold it will notify fast.

 

[Wiredawg]

I have blown out a trailer tire and not known it... 18 wheeler flagged me. I didn't hear it, didn't see it, and didn't feel it. TPMS would have gone into alarm.

 

[Jim W]

So, you missed something on your manual check?

Just poking at you. Couldn't resist...

I don't think so, I believe it was a belt separation from what I could due upon FAILURE ANALYSIS of the failed tire. The tire only had 200 to 300 miles on this tire as I rotated all of the tires in the spring. This was the original spare tire on the trailer rotated to the front LH corner of the trailer. The trailer was purchased new in the spring of 2010 and this tire failed in the summer of 2011. Also, it was a CHINSE tire bomb a "POWER KING" on the Cougar. When we got back from the trip, I replaced all of the tires with Michelin XPS Rib tires.