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Old 03-19-2018, 06:02 PM   #1
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Name: Gordon
Trailer: 2015 Scamp (16 Std Layout 4) with '15 Toyota Sienna LE Tug
North Carolina
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You should add a TPMS to your shopping list!

Ahh the excitement and anticipation of buying your first fiberglass camper! It seems that a common activity for those experiencing this anticipation is the shopping spree. What to buy? Maybe a patio mat? How about custom curtains? Its fun to plan and think about all the little things that will make your new home-away-from-home uniquely yours, and it helps to make the waiting more tolerable.

But after you have your wish list completed with the essentials, I personally feel that a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) should be on your list well ahead of the other “nice to have” items. A tire failure can do a lot of damage to the body of a fiberglass trailer as well as the wiring, propane and plumbing lines that run near the wheel well. A TPMS provides an added margin of safety on the road, and reduces the chance of having a tire failure causing hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars of damage or personal injury.


There are quite a few choices when it comes to a TPMS. I’ll share some of what I have learned and experienced with my TST 507 TPMS.

A good TPMS is not cheap, but IMHO it is something you should not scrimp on. TST (Truck System Technologies) is a well know company with a good track record. There are other brands that are cheaper but from what I have seen, none of the cheap brands have very good ratings. Therefore I will discuss the TST brand of TMPS.

At present, all of the TST kits include four or more sensors except for one, this 510 model which includes two sensors, the display, charger and a remote antenna. It is $205.95 shipped (to CONUS I assume).

However I have confirmed that you can buy the displays (with a charger cord included) and the sensors separately, and get a working 507 system for two wheels for as little as $175.95 with shipping included. Or get a color 507 model display for $30 more.

EDIT! See next message which mentions an even better deal from a reliable seller: http://perfectcasita.com/tst507stkit.html

With a TST system, you have two primary choices:
1. Cap type or flow through sensors, and 2. User replaceable sensor battery or not.

Cap type vs. flow through sensors

The flow-though sensors allow you to add air to a tire without removing the sensor. A cap sensor is like the valve stem cap you already have, in that it must be removed to add air. The cap sensor has an anti-theft design that requires a special tool (included in the kits) to remove it from the valve. However the anti-theft housing can be removed by the user and the cap sensor used without it. In this case the sensor simply unscrews from the valve. This is what I have done and it works well for me since I am frequently adjusting air pressure. Of course there is a small risk of the sensor being stolen and they cost $50 each to replace. The flow-through sensor uses a small allen screw on the valve stem to discourage theft.

The cap sensor is smaller and about one quarter of an ounce lighter than the flow-through sensor. For most fiberglass camper trailers I would think the cap sensor is the better choice. A flow-through sensor would be preferred when you have wheel covers or something else that makes it hard to get to the sensor to remove it.

Sensor battery, user replaceable or not?

507 series use sensors either with user replaceable batteries or with sealed batteries. The 510 series only uses sealed battery sensors. The user replaceable models have a battery life of 1 to 1.5 years - you should plan on annual replacement. The CR-1632 button batteries are about $4 each. You should also replace an o-ring at the same time. A number of spare o-rings came with my kit but if you need more TST also sells a six-sensor o-ring rebuild kit for $7 not including shipping, or kits with o-rings and batteries are available on Amazon, etc. The batteries in sealed sensors should last 3-5 years at which time you send them back to TST for replacement at a cost of $29.95 per sensor.

A video of the battery replacement procedure is on the TST Support page. If the replacement looks difficult to you then I would suggest the sealed version.

By the way, there is also a smaller rubber washer that goes inside the valve side of the sensor to seal the connection. Eventually these need to be replaced but they should last a few years at least. You will know they need to be replaced when air leaks after the sensor is installed on the valve stem, or if it appears degraded.

How the TST systems work

Everything you need to know is on the TST web site, but here is a brief summary:

The display has an internal battery and can be recharged or run from the cigarette lighter outlet. Battery life is very good and I have used my display for many days before it needed recharging.

After each sensor is paired to the display, the sensors will transmit the current pressure and temperature to the display. To conserve battery life, the sensor only transmits once every five minutes unless there is a fast leak in which case it transmits immediately. Exactly how much of a change, or how fast it has to be, to trigger an immediate transmission does not seem to be defined, but I do see that the display alarms within one to two seconds when I remove the sensor (dropping the pressure almost instantly to zero).

So every five minutes you get an updated pressure and temperature reading on the display. After setting up high and low pressure and high temperature limits, the unit will alarm if it receives a reading that violates the programmed parameters. The alarm is also audible so there is no need to have the display where you can see it if you are worried about being distracted. Claimed accuracy of the sensors is +/- 3 PSI.

A TPMS might not save you from damage from a sudden and complete blowout, but I read about people who had a complete tire failure on their trailer and did not even realize it. The alarm on a TST system would be impossible to miss however.

There are repeaters available for both 507 and 510 systems that relay and amplify the signal. These are almost never needed for small trailers.

Some of the sensors are listed for use with either rubber or metal valve stems, and some require metal valve stems only. In my opinion you should only use metal valve stems with stem mounted sensors. I have seen at least one case where a rubber valve stem cracked and leaked air, due perhaps to age, the weight of the sensor, or both. The metal valve stems are only a few dollars and Discount Tire even installed mine at no charge. It is even possible that the temperature readings are more accurate with metal valve stems.

By the way, you may be asking yourself if you are going to unmount the tire anyway to install the metal valve stems, then why not install an internal pressure sensor like those on modern cars. That would be a good topic of discussion if anyone has experience doing it that way.

Now if you have read this far you are probably considering a TPMS but maybe still concerned about the price. I saw this $100 TPMS for motorcycles on Amazon that has fairly good reviews and might work well (except for the receiver mounting, and apparently a lack of customer service). I’m not endorsing it since I have never owned one.

Before I had a TPMS I would always check the tire pressure in the morning before heading out, but then after a few miles I started to wonder if ran over some road debris, or had a bad tire, and the tire was leaking air, heating up and going to fail. Having the TPMS is great comfort where I can see that the pressure is normal. By the way, normal includes the pressure usually increasing a little, sometimes up to ten to twelve percent above cold inflation. The temperature can also increase quite a bit, especially when the tire is in the sun, but with the TPMS I can see the temperature lower again after a short time in the shade. After a while you get a feel for what readings are normal.

--------------------------

Disclaimer: I have no connection to any company mentioned other than owning a TST 507 system. I have prepared this information because I believe this is a valuable tool which should be used by all fiberglass R/V owners. I have endeavored to provide accurate information but take no responsibility for inaccuracies or anything else related to this post.
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Old 03-19-2018, 06:05 PM   #2
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Nice write-up Gordon!.

For 2 wheels look here Tire monitors
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Old 03-19-2018, 06:17 PM   #3
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Name: Gordon
Trailer: 2015 Scamp (16 Std Layout 4) with '15 Toyota Sienna LE Tug
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Quote:
Originally Posted by widgetwizard View Post
...
For 2 wheels look here Tire monitors
Ahh thats perfect! I Didn't know they were selling this.. it looks like the same I bought from "Plug it Right" (Dutch and Diana Irrgang) but they no longer carry this line, which is too bad.. they were great.
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Old 03-20-2018, 07:42 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by gordon2 View Post
Ahh the excitement and anticipation of buying your first fiberglass camper! It seems that a common activity for those experiencing this anticipation is the shopping spree. What to buy? Maybe a patio mat? How about custom curtains? Its fun to plan and think about all the little things that will make your new home-away-from-home uniquely yours, and it helps to make the waiting more tolerable.

But after you have your wish list completed with the essentials, I personally feel that a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) should be on your list well ahead of the other “nice to have” items. A tire failure can do a lot of damage to the body of a fiberglass trailer as well as the wiring, propane and plumbing lines that run near the wheel well. A TPMS provides an added margin of safety on the road, and reduces the chance of having a tire failure causing hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars of damage or personal injury.


There are quite a few choices when it comes to a TPMS. I’ll share some of what I have learned and experienced with my TST 507 TPMS.

A good TPMS is not cheap, but IMHO it is something you should not scrimp on. TST (Truck System Technologies) is a well know company with a good track record. There are other brands that are cheaper but from what I have seen, none of the cheap brands have very good ratings. Therefore I will discuss the TST brand of TMPS.

At present, all of the TST kits include four or more sensors except for one, this 510 model which includes two sensors, the display, charger and a remote antenna. It is $205.95 shipped (to CONUS I assume).

However I have confirmed that you can buy the displays (with a charger cord included) and the sensors separately, and get a working 507 system for two wheels for as little as $175.95 with shipping included. Or get a color 507 model display for $30 more.

EDIT! See next message which mentions an even better deal from a reliable seller: http://perfectcasita.com/tst507stkit.html

With a TST system, you have two primary choices:
1. Cap type or flow through sensors, and 2. User replaceable sensor battery or not.

Cap type vs. flow through sensors

The flow-though sensors allow you to add air to a tire without removing the sensor. A cap sensor is like the valve stem cap you already have, in that it must be removed to add air. The cap sensor has an anti-theft design that requires a special tool (included in the kits) to remove it from the valve. However the anti-theft housing can be removed by the user and the cap sensor used without it. In this case the sensor simply unscrews from the valve. This is what I have done and it works well for me since I am frequently adjusting air pressure. Of course there is a small risk of the sensor being stolen and they cost $50 each to replace. The flow-through sensor uses a small allen screw on the valve stem to discourage theft.

The cap sensor is smaller and about one quarter of an ounce lighter than the flow-through sensor. For most fiberglass camper trailers I would think the cap sensor is the better choice. A flow-through sensor would be preferred when you have wheel covers or something else that makes it hard to get to the sensor to remove it.

Sensor battery, user replaceable or not?

507 series use sensors either with user replaceable batteries or with sealed batteries. The 510 series only uses sealed battery sensors. The user replaceable models have a battery life of 1 to 1.5 years - you should plan on annual replacement. The CR-1632 button batteries are about $4 each. You should also replace an o-ring at the same time. A number of spare o-rings came with my kit but if you need more TST also sells a six-sensor o-ring rebuild kit for $7 not including shipping, or kits with o-rings and batteries are available on Amazon, etc. The batteries in sealed sensors should last 3-5 years at which time you send them back to TST for replacement at a cost of $29.95 per sensor.

A video of the battery replacement procedure is on the TST Support page. If the replacement looks difficult to you then I would suggest the sealed version.

By the way, there is also a smaller rubber washer that goes inside the valve side of the sensor to seal the connection. Eventually these need to be replaced but they should last a few years at least. You will know they need to be replaced when air leaks after the sensor is installed on the valve stem, or if it appears degraded.

How the TST systems work

Everything you need to know is on the TST web site, but here is a brief summary:

The display has an internal battery and can be recharged or run from the cigarette lighter outlet. Battery life is very good and I have used my display for many days before it needed recharging.

After each sensor is paired to the display, the sensors will transmit the current pressure and temperature to the display. To conserve battery life, the sensor only transmits once every five minutes unless there is a fast leak in which case it transmits immediately. Exactly how much of a change, or how fast it has to be, to trigger an immediate transmission does not seem to be defined, but I do see that the display alarms within one to two seconds when I remove the sensor (dropping the pressure almost instantly to zero).

So every five minutes you get an updated pressure and temperature reading on the display. After setting up high and low pressure and high temperature limits, the unit will alarm if it receives a reading that violates the programmed parameters. The alarm is also audible so there is no need to have the display where you can see it if you are worried about being distracted. Claimed accuracy of the sensors is +/- 3 PSI.

A TPMS might not save you from damage from a sudden and complete blowout, but I read about people who had a complete tire failure on their trailer and did not even realize it. The alarm on a TST system would be impossible to miss however.

There are repeaters available for both 507 and 510 systems that relay and amplify the signal. These are almost never needed for small trailers.

Some of the sensors are listed for use with either rubber or metal valve stems, and some require metal valve stems only. In my opinion you should only use metal valve stems with stem mounted sensors. I have seen at least one case where a rubber valve stem cracked and leaked air, due perhaps to age, the weight of the sensor, or both. The metal valve stems are only a few dollars and Discount Tire even installed mine at no charge. It is even possible that the temperature readings are more accurate with metal valve stems.

By the way, you may be asking yourself if you are going to unmount the tire anyway to install the metal valve stems, then why not install an internal pressure sensor like those on modern cars. That would be a good topic of discussion if anyone has experience doing it that way.

Now if you have read this far you are probably considering a TPMS but maybe still concerned about the price. I saw this $100 TPMS for motorcycles on Amazon that has fairly good reviews and might work well (except for the receiver mounting, and apparently a lack of customer service). I’m not endorsing it since I have never owned one.

Before I had a TPMS I would always check the tire pressure in the morning before heading out, but then after a few miles I started to wonder if ran over some road debris, or had a bad tire, and the tire was leaking air, heating up and going to fail. Having the TPMS is great comfort where I can see that the pressure is normal. By the way, normal includes the pressure usually increasing a little, sometimes up to ten to twelve percent above cold inflation. The temperature can also increase quite a bit, especially when the tire is in the sun, but with the TPMS I can see the temperature lower again after a short time in the shade. After a while you get a feel for what readings are normal.

--------------------------

Disclaimer: I have no connection to any company mentioned other than owning a TST 507 system. I have prepared this information because I believe this is a valuable tool which should be used by all fiberglass R/V owners. I have endeavored to provide accurate information but take no responsibility for inaccuracies or anything else related to this post.


Had a TPMS. Found checking the tires before any significant trip and filling with a portable pump works best. Also get a cheap laser temperature gun to check temperatures.
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Old 03-20-2018, 08:11 AM   #5
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a gadget will not replace common sense! I have had blowouts first of all hold your speeds down, if you notice a sudden change in your tug pull over. I have seen pictures just like as posted the driver kept going after a blow out naturally there would be big-time damage.


as mentioned check your tire pressures before leaving when stopping check your tires feel your hubs you will be ok!


if you want to drive 70 or 80 no monitor will save you sudden blowouts at those speeds can turn out very badly you cant stop fast enough!


bob
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Old 03-20-2018, 08:57 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by offroad View Post
Had a TPMS. Found checking the tires before any significant trip and filling with a portable pump works best. Also get a cheap laser temperature gun to check temperatures.
Well, of course a TPMS does not relieve one of the responsibility of of checking the pressure and adjusting as needed before any trip (regardless of significance). The TPMS is insurance that if the air that you put in the tire before the trip starts to leave the tire during the trip, then you will know about it.

Agreed that everyone should carry a portable air compressor for tire inflation, and not a cheap one either. I'm on my third one in 4-5 years. Its an older one that I got a garage sale for $5 and is much better quality than the prior two that I bought new.

IMHO the temp gun is not needed. Just putting your hand on the bearings at each stop will tell you if they are running too hot. Although I did use my multi-meter (VOM) with a temperature sensor to check the bearings after a repack, just to double check. But once I was satisfied the repack was good, I put the meter away. From what I have seen on the tire temp, the temperature of the tire is not a good way to check for low tire pressure.
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Old 03-20-2018, 09:00 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by k0wtz View Post
a gadget will not replace common sense! I have had blowouts first of all hold your speeds down, if you notice a sudden change in your tug pull over. I have seen pictures just like as posted the driver kept going after a blow out naturally there would be big-time damage.


as mentioned check your tire pressures before leaving when stopping check your tires feel your hubs you will be ok!


if you want to drive 70 or 80 no monitor will save you sudden blowouts at those speeds can turn out very badly you cant stop fast enough!


bob
Nothing replaces common sense, but a TPMS will possibly provide you with a much earlier indication of a problem than all the common sense in the world. There is a reason that all new vehicles must be equipped with a TPMS. Common sense would dictate that one should make use of technology if it has proven to be effective.
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Old 03-20-2018, 09:48 AM   #8
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Gordon, thank's for taking the time to post this thread. Like everything else there seem to be differing opinions as to worthiness. By writing this post you have given us more data for consideration. Well done!

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Old 03-20-2018, 10:21 AM   #9
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Thanks for taking the time to post this.
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Old 03-20-2018, 10:36 AM   #10
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One has to be careful when using anything that screws onto the end of the valve stem. The sealing design is backwards. To get a good air seal air pressure is used to enhance the seal, such as the schrader valve which the higher the air pressure behind the valve the tighter the seal. That's why even in high pressure tires Schrader valves are used.
With a screw on attachment that attaches to the valve stem a lot relies on the end surface. It the end surface has even a hair or small scratch it can leak thus creating the very problem you're trying to prevent.
I'm not saying don't use the valve stem sensors just be aware of the potential leak issues.
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Old 03-20-2018, 11:20 AM   #11
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Good write-up Gordon. A TPMS sounds like good insurance as compared to new curtains or a throw rug. Not in the same category or price range, but good as a regular maintenance early warning system. Thank you.


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Old 03-20-2018, 12:28 PM   #12
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Always check the build date code on tires. Over 6 years...get rid of them!
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Old 03-20-2018, 12:36 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by widgetwizard View Post
Nice write-up Gordon!.

For 2 wheels look here Tire monitors
Thanks! Always happy to support those who focus on our community.
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Old 03-20-2018, 12:38 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman View Post
One has to be careful when using anything that screws onto the end of the valve stem. ....
True enough, and as I mentioned there is a rubber washer that makes the seal, and which can be replaced if needed (with moderate difficulty). I have not had a problem getting a good seal, but clean components in good condition is a requirement. There seems to be no mention of this on the TST web site. Perhaps that is because it is such a rare situation. Or perhaps because its a little difficult to replace and they would prefer you send in the sensors.

I am pretty sure that when you send in a sealed battery sensor for battery replacement, they also replace the seals and o-rings (or ship new sensors).

First photo is the washer that rests against the valve end. Its all of six millimeters. Second is preparing to put the washer in and last photo is the washer inside the sensor.
Attached Thumbnails
washer.jpg   washer2.jpg  

washer3.jpg  
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Old 03-20-2018, 02:02 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by CPW View Post
Nothing replaces common sense, but a TPMS will possibly provide you with a much earlier indication of a problem than all the common sense in the world. There is a reason that all new vehicles must be equipped with a TPMS. Common sense would dictate that one should make use of technology if it has proven to be effective.
Yes there is a reason that all new vehicles come equipped with TPMS...FEDERAL LAW since 2008.
The rationale being that people don't check their tire pressure often enough to prevent dangerously low pressures.( probably right in most cases)
There are those on this forum who advocate dangerously low trailer tire pressures to begin with, TPMS would be of little value to them.
TPMS is nearly useless to me on the tow vehicle since any significant pressure loss is apparent in that case, but it might actually serve as an alarm for sudden pressure loss on a trailer which is not nearly as obvious.
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Old 03-20-2018, 02:08 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by gordon2 View Post
True enough, and as I mentioned there is a rubber washer that makes the seal, and which can be replaced if needed (with moderate difficulty). I have not had a problem getting a good seal, but clean components in good condition is a requirement. There seems to be no mention of this on the TST web site. Perhaps that is because it is such a rare situation. Or perhaps because its a little difficult to replace and they would prefer you send in the sensors.

I am pretty sure that when you send in a sealed battery sensor for battery replacement, they also replace the seals and o-rings (or ship new sensors).

First photo is the washer that rests against the valve end. Its all of six millimeters. Second is preparing to put the washer in and last photo is the washer inside the sensor.
It's not really the seal in the sensor that concerns me. It's the basic technology of sealing in this manner. Having working in pneumatics for several years I understand how to get a good seal and what can mess up a good seal. A simple thing like a human hair can cause a leak with this type of seal.
The other thing is surface of valve stem end. It has to be smooth or seal won't work. The higher the air pressure in the tire the more likely this type of seal will fail.
All this comes from my experience in working with pneumatics.
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Old 03-20-2018, 02:48 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman View Post
It's not really the seal in the sensor that concerns me. It's the basic technology of sealing in this manner. Having working in pneumatics for several years I understand how to get a good seal and what can mess up a good seal. A simple thing like a human hair can cause a leak with this type of seal.
The other thing is surface of valve stem end. It has to be smooth or seal won't work. The higher the air pressure in the tire the more likely this type of seal will fail.
All this comes from my experience in working with pneumatics.
And if the seal fails, just like if the tire picks up a nail or starts to deflate, the TPMS monitor will sound an alarm so that the operator will realize something is going wrong. I have had the TPMS sound twice in my vehicles and was able to take corrective action before the tire was damaged. And I have used a TPMS system on my trailer for 3 years and it provides me peace of mind. On one trip, it went off indicating loss of pressure in the right rear trailer tire. Sure enough, there was a drywall screw in the tread. The tire was down to 44 psi, so I put on the spare and had the tire repaired.......the tire was not run flat and no damage to the trailer or irreparable damage to the tire.
I really don’t understand your concern, given tires I have seen destroyed prior to widescale use of TPMS. Fortunately, nobody is going to force you to use one, so the choice to forego it is entirely up to you.
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Old 03-20-2018, 03:22 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by CPW View Post
And if the seal fails, just like if the tire picks up a nail or starts to deflate, the TPMS monitor will sound an alarm so that the operator will realize something is going wrong. I have had the TPMS sound twice in my vehicles and was able to take corrective action before the tire was damaged. And I have used a TPMS system on my trailer for 3 years and it provides me peace of mind. On one trip, it went off indicating loss of pressure in the right rear trailer tire. Sure enough, there was a drywall screw in the tread. The tire was down to 44 psi, so I put on the spare and had the tire repaired.......the tire was not run flat and no damage to the trailer or irreparable damage to the tire.
I really don’t understand your concern, given tires I have seen destroyed prior to widescale use of TPMS. Fortunately, nobody is going to force you to use one, so the choice to forego it is entirely up to you.
My point exactly. Creates a problem where one didn't exist.
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Old 03-20-2018, 03:43 PM   #19
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...TPMS is nearly useless to me on the tow vehicle since any significant pressure loss is apparent in that case...
Isn't the point to detect the pressure loss BEFORE is it apparent or significant?

The TPMS in my tow vehicle is sensitive enough that I have had a couple of false alarms on really cold mornings with snow against one wheel.

My light came on last week with no obvious reason for a false alarm and no detectable change is tire appearance or driving characteristics. Since I was already in town, I drove a few blocks to the tire shop, and sure enough, it was a few pounds low with a screw in it. There's no way I would have caught it that early without the TPMS.

We were scheduled to leave the next day on a trip with the Scamp. I probably would have caught the low tire pressure during the pre-trip check, but I would have lost half a day putting on the spare and driving to town to get it fixed.

I can see your point that TPMS can lead to complacency, but I'd still rather have it than not.

Haven't gotten around to doing the trailer, but Gordon, you're pretty persuasive!
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Old 03-20-2018, 03:53 PM   #20
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Just to add to your level of stress, the TPMS on my RAV4 didn't work on at least one occasion. Tire was very low and I had no indication that it had been losing pressure. So, how does one know if the system is working or not? Must be a TPMS monitoring system out there somewhere on the web.
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