rickeieio Posted August 1, 2018 Report Share Posted August 1, 2018 As mentioned in another thread, I lost three tires at once yesterday. I have a TPMS, ( tire pressure monitor system), but it's inoperative due to low batteries in the wheel sensors. All tires had proper pressures, verified by gauge, prior to the start of the trip, which was three hundred miles. Pressure had held for over two years prior, so no slow leaks. If you have the system, why not spring for new batteries? Because I need 8 of them at $49 each, so maybe I should change to a system where the batteries can be changed rather than buying new sending units. Meanwhile...... In looking over the carnage, I noticed only the middle tire, which blew first, had the sensor. The flying debris had caught the other two sensors and ripped out the valve stems, causing air loss. It makes sense that a TPMS doesn't report a blowout until after the event. Had I just pitched all the sensors, I perhaps would have only had to buy one tire, not three. I won't be buying batteries, wheel sensors, or any other tire monitoring gadgets, other than for my IR heat sensor gun, which lives in the door pocket of the truck. YMMV..... KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted August 1, 2018 Report Share Posted August 1, 2018 We used PressurePro for the truck, trailer, and car so at 7.5 years, we preemptively changed out 16 sensors (we do spares too). When we changed out the sensors, we got new technology including a much better stem seal. We had a tread separation and the TPMS didn't have a pressure loss until after the thread was gone and the carcass blew. There is no magic in the foretelling of thread separation. I wouldn't screw with replaceable battery sensors that are prone to O-ring issues. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Wilma Posted August 2, 2018 Report Share Posted August 2, 2018 2 hours ago, rickeieio said: As mentioned in another thread, I lost three tires at once yesterday. Unbelievable! I can get pretty creative on failure modes and spent a good part of my career analyzing system failures, but would never have come up with this one. Thankfully you are ok and only short a bit of time and money. Mark, we use the TST 507 system and with 12 installed sensors and a couple spares it takes a bit of time to replace the batteries. Button batteries are pretty cheap and definitely need to replace the O-rings and we use a silicon grease on the cap threads. Have had no problems . . . yet. Jim & Wilma 2006 Travel Supreme 36RLQSO 2009 Volvo VNL730, D13, I-shift, ET, Herrin Hauler bed, "Ruby" 2017 Smart Class of 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Rod Posted August 2, 2018 Report Share Posted August 2, 2018 What kind of valve stems were you using? The first TST system I had years ago recommended rigid bolt in valve stems as opposed to the pop in rubber variety. I don't see it in the instructions on my current unit (flow through, replaceable batteries), but still a good idea. If you were using rubber stems the rigid ones may have helped on the other two tires. That's the only thing I don't like about the flow through sensors, they stick out more than I am comfortable with. I stock those bolt in stems (I'm a wheel dealer), if anybody needs some shoot me a message and I'll mail them out no charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edatlanta Posted August 2, 2018 Report Share Posted August 2, 2018 11 hours ago, Jim & Wilma said: Unbelievable! I can get pretty creative on failure modes and spent a good part of my career analyzing system failures, but would never have come up with this one. Thankfully you are ok and only short a bit of time and money. Mark, we use the TST 507 system and with 12 installed sensors and a couple spares it takes a bit of time to replace the batteries. Button batteries are pretty cheap and definitely need to replace the O-rings and we use a silicon grease on the cap threads. Have had no problems . . . yet. I have the 507 system with the original sensors, non flow through, and in 8 years of full time use I have had one sensor fail (8 sensors in service). I had a two pack of spares so I was back up and running in the time it took to program the monitor for the new sensor which isn't long. No other issues in 8 years and I do change batteries when the monitor reports which sensor is due. I do have the original black/white monitor and an upgrade to the new color one would be nice, but definitely not necessary. Ed KM4STL2006 GMC 2500HD CCSB 4x4 Duramax/Allison, Titan 52 gallon fuel tank, Prodigy Controller, B&W Companion Hitch2010 Jayco Designer 35RLTS, RV Flex Armor Roof Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2018 I use nothing but bolt in stems, except on a couple of pieces of farm machinery (nitrogen fertilizer eats brass). Also, not flow through sensors. Hot Rod, I for sure need one wheel, and may be coming your way next week, on the way to a motorcycle rally in PA. If I remember correctly, you're in NE Ohio? KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted August 2, 2018 Report Share Posted August 2, 2018 I also have the 507 system with 10 sensors. Just installed it a couple of months ago and it works great. I purchased the set from Technorv and the price was pretty good. I had an old Tiretraker that got unreliable after 7 years. I got in the habit of changing the batteries every year but it could have just been the sensors. The batteries are CHEAP and easy to change. Brad Brad and Jacolyn Tucker the Wonder dog and Brynn the Norfolk Terrier 2009 Smart "Joy" 2004 VNL630 "Vonda the Volvo" 2008 Hitch Hiker 35 CK Champagne Edition VED12 465 HP, Freedomline, 3.73 ratio, WB 218" Fulltiming and loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2018 Does anyone make a system where the sensors are inside the wheel, like newer passenger vehicles? KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted August 2, 2018 Report Share Posted August 2, 2018 Yes but when the batteries need replacement, it is as issue of discounting the tires, just like a car after several years, like in the timeframe of PressurePro sensors. Quite a,while ago their was a system that mounted on a band on the rim. It did honest wheel temperature sensing. To install, the tires had to.come off a d it was not uncommon for the sensor to be damaged during a ride replacement. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Heiser Posted August 2, 2018 Report Share Posted August 2, 2018 1 hour ago, rickeieio said: Does anyone make a system where the sensors are inside the wheel, like newer passenger vehicles? TST has sensors that mount inside the wheel (like OEM type sensors). I have thought about switching to that type, but don't really want to put out the extra money to replace existing, working sensors. 2009 Volvo 670 with dinette/workstation sleeper - Walter 2017 DRV Mobile Suite 40KSSB4 with factory mods, dealer mods and personal mods - now in the RV graveyard 2022 DRV Full House MX450 with customized floor plan 2018 Polaris RZR Turbo S (fits in the garage) 2016 Smart Car (fits in the garage or gets flat towed behind the DRV when the RZR is in the garage) My First Solar Install Thread My Second Solar Install Thread & Photos and Documents Related to the build My MX450's solar, battery and inverter system - my biggest system yet! chadheiser.com West Coast HDT Rally Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Rod Posted August 2, 2018 Report Share Posted August 2, 2018 11 hours ago, rickeieio said: I use nothing but bolt in stems, except on a couple of pieces of farm machinery (nitrogen fertilizer eats brass). Also, not flow through sensors. Hot Rod, I for sure need one wheel, and may be coming your way next week, on the way to a motorcycle rally in PA. If I remember correctly, you're in NE Ohio? I am in NE Ohio. Sorry, we don't sell trailer wheels though. At least nothing heavy enough for a fifth wheel. Hot rods and 4x4 trucks mostly. I was just offering the stems since I stock that type and they are really cheap by the case... Not sure exactly what wheel you need, but www.trailertiresandwheels.com is NW Ohio not too far off the turnpike. I have no connection with them other than meeting them at a show. I know they stock a lot of heavy duty wheels/tires for trailers and have a good rep in the RV community. They do a lot of 17.5 upgrades. Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2018 Thanks Hot rod. I already have a wide safety margin with 6 load range E 16" tires. I only need one wheel. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewhoknowslittle Posted August 3, 2018 Report Share Posted August 3, 2018 5 hours ago, Chad Heiser said: TST has sensors that mount inside the wheel (like OEM type sensors). I have thought about switching to that type, but don't really want to put out the extra money to replace existing, working sensors. I have the TST system with the internal pressure sensors on the Freightliner and my 3 axle DRV, I was having theft issues with the stem sensors, and I do like the new sensors, I put them on during tire change, and they should last till the next tire change, so no issues there, and TST will send you the sensors and give you time to replace them when it's time for the battery to be replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmup68 Posted August 3, 2018 Report Share Posted August 3, 2018 15 hours ago, rickeieio said: Thanks Hot rod. I already have a wide safety margin with 6 load range E 16" tires. I only need one wheel. IMO, moving to 17.5" rims and tires is your first step to really solving the issue. On all the trailers I've had over the years, getting rid of 16" rims was the best move I've ever made for eliminating blowouts. I got the Hi-spec HD rims from trailertireandwheels.com and Hercules H-902s is 6,840 per tire, which is 13,680 lbs per axle. Yes, huge safety margin per axle. I know way, way, way overkill, but the tires were much cheaper than the 16" goodyears G-114s or similar, so I figured safety factor was a bonus. I got them for $185 each shipped at the time about 1.5 years ago. My OTR friends say hercules is a great commercial tire and so far I have been impressed. They have been on 1.5 years and on pre-trip last Monday, they are still at 125 lbs. I have about 20k miles on them so far. Wear is great and ride is good. Load range E tires are 3,640 lbs per tire or 7,280 per axle. Don't know what your axle ratings/weights are, but for most trailers, you are right at max capacity for those tires all the time, which contributes to tire failure in my non-expert, non-educated, redneck opinion. With all the 16" load range E, F, G tires I ran over the years and the many, many tire failures on flatbed trailers, always during a wheelin' trip, I finally moved to 17.5s and knock on wood, have not had a failure yet. Buddies who tow dozers and backhoes/shovels educated me on trailer tires a few years ago after I had another 16" blowout on a wheeling trip to PA. YMMV and just my dumb opinion, that doesn't have any weight to it anyway! 2003 International Eagle 9200i, Cummins ISX, Freedomline 2007 Teton Scottsdale XT4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2018 You're preaching to the choir. I had 17.5 wheels/tires on the last trailer. It needed them. This trailer carries about 16k on the axles. 16,000/6 tires is 2,666, or 25% margin, if I'm running load range E, which is NOT the long range plan. I have 4 of the heavier 16" wheels (yes, they are rated for the higher pressures), and will convert to all load range G on the toy hauler, giving me even more margin, and putting the "E" tires on another trailer. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJohns Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 I am with lockmup68 in regards to overkill. I have lt215/75-17.5 h rated on my fifth. When I come of the road on a 95 degree day the tires are not burning hot. That translates into less chance of blowout. I don't care what the numbers say but if your tires are steaming hot your past the limit. Why are the hurculese tires so much less in price than the goodyear. Sounds to good to be true. 2002 Beaver Marquis Emerald C-12 Cat 505 HP 2014 Volvo 630 D-13 I Shift SOLD 2017 New Horizons SOLD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 If I were tandem, I'd go with 17.5 in a heartbeat. Been there on the old trailer. But with load range G @ roughly 4k rating per tire, times 6 tires = 24k# for a 16K load. Where do you stop? My tire failure was a sudden event. One tire blew, for an unknown reason, and took the valve stems off the other two. BTW, my trailer tires run cooler than the tires on the truck. I check at most stops, and did so two days ago to verify. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrap Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Quote Where do you stop? Just after the last grain bin is empty and the credit card won't approve another cent, of course! 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewhoknowslittle Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 I have 17.5 tires on every trailer I own except the one that’s got a 12 inch tires on it. That being said I do it so all my trailer tires are the same size one spare fits all nine trailers one spare tire, but I wouldn’t put anything on my camper but 17.5 tires over Kill is your friend. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 That would be pretty sweet to have so many tires the same size. Unfortunately my trailer tires range from 9" to 24.5". Heaviest rated trailer (25 ton drop deck ) has 15". In my towing, over 45 years, I've needed a spare for the trailer maybe 6 times. Twice, I needed more than one, and both of those, it was a sudden failure that took out additional tires. Every trailer tire failure I've had has been on an RV. (Pop up and fifth wheel) Having a large safety margin is crucial. 36% would seem like plenty (where I will be with the load range G). KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 On 8/2/2018 at 6:42 PM, Chad Heiser said: TST has sensors that mount inside the wheel (like OEM type sensors). I have thought about switching to that type, but don't really want to put out the extra money to replace existing, working sensors. I'm probably going to put those on our new coach. But I will leave the truck with the external sensors. Don't ask me why, because there is no logical explanation. Just what I "feel like". It is relatively easy for me to mess with this stuff since we are dealers. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted August 5, 2018 Report Share Posted August 5, 2018 I’m running six Bridgestone R250 16” moccasins carrying 14,000lbs. Speed rated at 99mph. I have a time getting the toyhauler going that fast. They run cool. They are “commercial” truck tires and have heavy curbing protection on the sidewalls. Not that I would need that 🤭 "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2018 2 hours ago, noteven said: Speed rated at 99mph. I have a time getting the toyhauler going that fast. Pedal harder. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2018 On 8/4/2018 at 12:57 PM, Scrap said: Just after the last grain bin is empty and the credit card won't approve another cent, of course! 😉 For sure. As I ease into retirement, empty grain bins take on a new meaning. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted August 6, 2018 Report Share Posted August 6, 2018 I have begun running super short valve stems on my jeep and trailers. Just a thought. On Amazon; eBoot Black TR-412 Rubber Snap-in Valve Stems Tire Valve Stems Tyre Valve Stems, 12 Pack 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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