Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System

[sag2]

Just a heads up. The instructions do not mention it but you MUST have metal valve stems or you risk losing the sensors. My wheels have the stem sticking almost straight out so I found some 1.250 long stems at Napa and made some .250 shims for the outside so the nut would not contact the wheel. I didn't want the sensors sticking out past the wheel. I'm sure had I just taken them to the tire store it would not have been done to my satisfaction. Setup was easy and system has good range. I can read the sensors from inside the house.

 

[Killgore]

Before I bought, I looked around. I found a forum moderated by Dan Covington, who is one of the owners of TST. There is a lot of good information, etc. posted here.

I also received a 'bad' monitor when I bought the system. TST replaced it almost over-night and had me up and going. I have been very impressed not only with the system but the service behind the product. It is both safe and reassuring to be able to scan the pressures as I look across at my other gauges, as well as know that the alarm will tell me immediately to hit the shoulder if something goes blam!

www.irv.com/forums/f256/tst-tpms-systems-69471.html

- Ed

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Thanks guys. My order arrived from Geno's yesterday - have not had a chance to do any more than unpack the box and put on a shelf in the basement.

 

[Killgore]

Hey Russ, don't lose the directions for programming the dang thing!
- Ed

 

[sag2]

And plug it in for a couple of hours so it is charged and ready to go.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Just thought I would post an update. Took a vacation trip and had the TPMS installed. It does add piece of mind.

As pointed out above as being good, safe practice, I take a look at the tires when torqueing the lug nuts before starting off.

I have a long thread on here about trailer suspension adequacy and have upgraded my suspension. My trailer has GVWR of 9,500 lbs and I am running LT tires which are load range E at 65 psi. Assuming 12% tongue weight and the inflation chart published by the manufacturer, the tires are at 90% of capacity at 65 psi. The TPMS told me that the tire temperature was running between five degrees and ten degrees above the ambient temperature. That is, tires are running nice and cool.

I like the idea of the TPMS - adds another line of safety in case of picking something up while on the road.

 

[RustyJC]

I added the TST 507 TPMS system shortly after purchasing our current 5th wheel. I went with the flow-through sensors with user-replaceable batteries and, just to be safe, the trailer repeater. I purchased our system from rvupgrades.com. I'm well pleased with it so far.

Rusty

 

[Killgore]

About a month ago I had a rapid loss of pressure on my inside dually while underway with the fiver. The TST-TPMS alarmed and I headed for the side of the interstate and shut her down saving the tire and possibly the fender. The system paid for itself right then! I would recommend installing steel valve stems as another safe-guard.

- Ed

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Ed,


Yes, I have the steel valve stems on my trailer tires.

Are steel valve stems prone to slowly leaking? Mt trailer tires seem like they lose about 10 psi over four weeks or so.


Russell

 

[Killgore]

Russ, I haven't observed any loss in pressure. As hot as it has been all I've noticed is an increase. LOL
- Ed

 

[Dutch & Di]

Russ
I can only speak for the TST system as that is what we have used for almost 5 years. We put metal valve stems on a bit over 4 years ago and have observed no leaking. If you are having a slow leak, you might need to adjust the dill valve/valve core. Sometimes if they get a off-maybe by over tightening the sensor on the stem-it could cause a very slow leak. Another possibility: Remove the sensors and look inside to see if the rubber gasket inside the stem is still flat. If it has rounded a bit, it could cause a slow leak or actually cause the sensor to not register at all. All you have to do is replace the round flat sensor gasket. I "fixed" a customer just last week, because the sensor wouldn't register, as we were in the same RV park and I saw the out of shape gasket down in the sensor. I replaced the gasket and it came right on. I have a few if that turns out to be your problem.
Again, I can't speak for other brands but I can't find a Must have metal valve stems in my TST manuals. The way I was taught was to say "if you carry more than 80 pounds in your tires or your tires are over 3 years old, it is recommended you get metal valve stems. That is because after time and outside elements, the rubber valve stems will start to harden & get surface cracks. Then any sensor will cause a bit of movement which could make the tire have a slow leak. That actually happened to us and is why we switched to metal valve stems.
With the monitor having a lithium battery, it has 30 hours of continuous use and I was taught to let the battery indicator on the lower right side of the monitor get down to one bar then charge it up fully. Then you are good to go for another 30 hours. I found out the hard way that if you are charging the monitor via an outlet that has power, you cannot turn the monitor off while it is plugged in & charging. We now charge ours when needed as we drive down the road for the day as it can take up to 6 hours to charge up fully.

Ed, if you need the programming directions, either pm me or e-mail me at -- email address removed -- and I can e-mail the quick install guide to you. Hugs, Di

 

[Killgore]

Thanks, Di. I keep my copy in the glovebox and realized right off that I would never remember how to program it without them. I am going to start charging my monitor the way that you recommend.

- Ed

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Di,

Thanks for the tip on the O-rings. I will check that out this coming week.