Tire Pressure - Dual wheels

[Aandreasen]

New to the Register and towing for that matter. I recently purchased my new 01 RAM and went to check the tire pressure on the dual rear wheels and found that it was impossible since both valve stems are very small and point inward. Anyone have any advice on how to keep the rears at the correct pressure? BTW, what is optimal pressure in the rears when towing?



I did want to say thanks to all the TDR memebers, I was able to do the very first oil change in my truck very easily do to the tips that I found from the Registry. I look forward to my miles with my RAM and advice on maintenance and upgrade from the members here.



Andy

Houston, TX

 

[gitchesum]

I know some guys have hoses that run from the valve stems to the outside of the dual wheels. I'm sure you could get them at just about any RV or tire store.



I'm having some 2" valve stems installed on mine soon. I've got one of those long tire gauges that you can check both tires with.

 

[Big White Beast]

Bought an extender kit.......

None of the tire shops out here had any. NAPA had some but they were way too expensive. Bought mine at a truck shop and they work fine. Cost around $60 for 4 hoses and all the mounting hardware. Steel braided lines with angles to hook the hoses to. You rivet them onto the caps.



Caution though I had my tires rotated at a tire shop and they didn't tighten em down and lost all air. Had to pull wheels off and fix it myself. If you want it done right do it yourself.



Garrett

 

[dewdo]

Regarding the valve stem extensions: I have heard that an extension of more than an inch or less will cause the valve stem to fail. I have the 1 inch ones but they don't help very much. Afraid to go with the longer ones.



The tire place I talked to said the vibration is amplified with the longer stems which causes leaks or failure. Don't know, but thought I would toss that in. Would like to hear from anyone that has been using the longer stems for a year or so.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[JWhitcomb]

I put one inch extensions on the outside valve stems and none on the inside. A long gauge with the angled head will reach the inside stem fine but with wheel covers the outside needed to be longer for the angled head of the gauge. I guess I will watch them closely for signs of failure.

 

[Turbo Trucker]

When towing, pressure should be at 80 psi.

 

[Shovelhead]

Dually rears.

If you have dual rears, be sure to check the inners frequently, even if all you use is the "thump test".

My mpg shown on the infamous trip computer dropped a couple of days ago, and while checking over all the fluids and tire pressures, I discovered the passenger's side inner tire had picked up a drywall screw and was totally flat.

After swapping with the spare, I guess a trip to the tire store for a repair is now in order.

 

[SWC]

Andy welcome to TDR, it is great to have a group like this to ask a few questions and get some solid answers. I had the same question when I got my dually. I asked at a few tire shops about the braided steel. They did not recomend them. They said the rubber lines were better. I have had mine on for 10,000 kilometers and no problems. Mine have kind of a clamp between to little nuts on the valve cap thread. I cut a slit in the cap that covers the wheel nuts where it lines up with a hole in the rim. I was afraid that the rubber hose would be very obvious, but it's not. In fact I found it so handy that put another one on for the outside rim. It is no fun at -30 freezing my little pinkies off trying to reach in between the rim to first take off the cap check the pressure and then put the cap back on! Good Luck on what ever you do.

Stan Claassen

 

[Pogodually]

I had the rubber extension lines to my inner duals. When I checked by the thumping method found inner was out of air. Tried to fill but without success. Found the rubber line was cracked. I went to a big truck tire shop and had 5 inch valve stems installed on inner duals. Just can't rotate tires. When these long stems were bent to the correct angle position could air up inner tires without a problem. For me only way to go.



I tow at 75 PSI with 235x85x16



JMHO

 

[Big White Beast]

Have had mine for over a year.....

I put mine on soon after I bought my truck. Probably 12K miles on them. I heard the leak stories from the tire shops too. Had to try something though. Glad I did. The only time they leaked was when the tire shop rotated the tires and didn't tighten them properly. That was with 7K miles on them and the tire shop said the valve stems looked fine.



Because they bolt to the angle rivited to the hubs they stay in place and it cuts down on vibration. Haven't noticed any balance problem either.



I like the steel braid for the looks. Blends in with the wheel covers. Both rear tires are attached right to the center cap. Checking the pressure is a breeze. With my weight I makes sure they are at 80# all the time.





Garrett

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Pressure check

Go to a truck stop or a NAPA store and pick up a pressure gauge that is made for dual wheel application. They have a twin head and a steel pipe shank so you can check pressures quite easily. You really dont want to ruin a tire and possibly a fender because you guessed at pressure on the inner tires. The pressure depends on the weight on the rear axle. I carry a heavy camper and pull a cargo trailer. The rear axle is loaded at or above #8500 all the time so the tires are ALWAYS inflated to 80psi. Any good tire shop should have a inflation chart for the tires on your new truck. . WELCOME TO THE CLUB!!