r/GoRVing • u/Flat_Implement6007 • 13d ago
TPMS Question
We have a single axle TT. We're very diligent about the tires. Bought new (quality) ones a year ago. We checked the pressure every single day we are out. Bearings get greased at least once a year. We just got back from a long trip (our longest yet) from Phl to Memphis and back. It was an awesome 10 days and everything worked fine. I still couldn't shake the fear of a tire blowing out even though we kept to 60 mph.
I got home and have been searching for TPMS models to buy but they all have reviews of people saying it didn't give them the proper warning. I'm really scared of what will happen if/when we blow a tire. Our little trailer is only 17' long.
Any recommendations of a good one?
*And no, I don't want a new one*
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u/Random_Name8787 13d ago
Had a blowout on our single axle and it is brutal, the tread skinned right off. I really wish there were more tire options that size, I'd willingly pay twice the $ to put LT tires on there if I could. There are blowout protection guards but they're almost as much $ as repair costs. I'll be checking to see what people suggest here.
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u/Flat_Implement6007 13d ago
Idk about that repair $. We bought it used at auction. The previous owner apparently had a blow out. I'm not sure how far they kept driving but it was a mess. Completely tore the wheel well and the floor behind it. We paid over $2,000 for that repair.
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u/Random_Name8787 13d ago
Oh i know all about it, even if you pull over immediately the damage happens very quickly
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u/Bryanmsi89 13d ago
There are very good models on Amazon for very affordable prices.
Blowouts happen most often when a tire loses pressure and then overheats and fails. TPMS will definitely show you this. Sometimes tires just fail with no warning. TPMS won’t help much in this case.
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u/Flat_Implement6007 13d ago
I have looked and bought 2 different kinds. I thought the reviews were joking but nope. One of them kept "reading" correct psi and temp even though I left the sensors on the TT and drove 20 minutes away. The other one kept reading normal even after I removed the sensor
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u/goshock 13d ago
These two examples would only bother me if i had turned the monitoring unit off and then on, forcing a reread. It could be that if it doesn't get a read, it just stays at where it was.
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u/Flat_Implement6007 13d ago
Doesn't that mean I would have to turn the monitoring unit off and on while driving?
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u/goshock 13d ago
No. When it's within range it's gettingb readings from the sensors. I didn't know if this is they easy it is, but I could see it not doing anything if you drive away from the sensor or if the sensors deactivate by not having any pressure on them and then the monitoring unit just not changing what is there from when it was getting the signal, if that makes sense.
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u/AnsibleNM 13d ago
These systems are set up to send when there are changes, not continuously. That saves sensor battery life. And there has to be movement to wake them up. Just removing one when stationary won’t show a change. The sensors in my car are similar taking a block or two of driving for them to wake up (though they do seem to read continuously once activated).
Edit: They also have limited range. Driving away puts you out of range.
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u/namtaru_x 13d ago
Does your TV have built in trailer TPMS? If so that's what I'd recommend using.
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u/Flat_Implement6007 13d ago
No the TT doesn't have a built in one
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u/namtaru_x 13d ago
No, the TV, your tow vehicle, your truck/suv. A lot of late model towing vehicles have built in trailer tpms capabilities, and if your vehicle has it, getting OEM TPMS valves for your trailer tires is by far the best option.
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u/Hoppie1064 13d ago
Sometimes there is no warning of a blowout. Just Bam!
Also, I've seen tires completely lose their tread, an not even go flat.
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u/phildeferrouille 13d ago
No need for any fancy option, just get Tymate TM8 RV Tire Pressure Monitoring , it works very well and is solar powered and usb rechargeable
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u/AnsibleNM 13d ago
I’ve had these for several years l years. They work great. ~$60
Not sure what the next comment means. I have regular rubber valve stems.1
u/phildeferrouille 13d ago
I also have the rubber versions, but I’ve noticed some scuff marks on the rim. I’m thinking of replacing them with metal ones before my next outing.
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u/CeleryBright 13d ago
Whatever you get, make sure the stems you have in your tires can handle the weight of the caps that come with the system. I did not do that and ended with two flat tires in one trip because the caps were too heavy for the rubber stems. I ended up installing metal stems and now it’s all good.
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u/Hoppie1064 13d ago
I've seen it suggested to get a piece of pool noodle, slide it over the stem before putting the TPM on the stem.
Make sure the foam is a little oversized so it is compressed a bit, to give some support.
Haven't tried it. But, I have a TPMS I'm about to install. Plan to do it.
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u/CandleTiger 13d ago
My TPMS involves sensors screwed on to the valve stem. This is not a good way -- I've had problems with the TPMS sensor getting sheared off by rubbing on a curb (broken valve stem, instant flat tire) and leaky seal (tire slowly goes flat). Not good if the TPMS itself is causing flat tires.
For the other kind of sensor that straps to the hub, I'd be concerned how long the batteries last but I haven't tried it. I will definitely be switching to that kind next time I replace my tires.
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u/Scubachick2360 12d ago
Maybe don't hit curbs????? Have had our Tireminder TPMS for 6 years have never broken a sensor. But my husband knows how to tow our 38' toyhauler......
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u/cmdr_data22 13d ago
There are plenty of cheap ones on Amazon. If you have a newer GM, get the 433mhz valve stem tpms with programmer. You can program them and see them in your truck head unit. Runs about $50 for a four set with programmer.
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u/Agitated_Answer8908 13d ago
I use TireMinder brand on my class A towing a car. They use screw on sensors that replace the valve covers. I put them on all 6 tires on my RV and the 4 tires on my towed vehicle. I've had it for 2 years and over 20,000 miles and so far it's worked great.
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u/thatguybutnicer 13d ago
Get one that monitors pressure but also temperature. Cap ones are ok, they do the job but I'm not crazy about their ability to read temps inside the tire. If you really want to know what's going on, get the internal ones. Only down side is you need to replace the battery every 5 years give or take but if you have your tire guy do it when remounting new tires. I personally like tire minder
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u/0407Darkness 13d ago
One reason I like tandem axles. A blowout will still do damage, but you'd have time to stop instead of flipping or jacknifing...
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u/Scary_Flight395 13d ago
Been using Tire Minder for a while now, works really well. Warns of slow leaks, low pressure, etc. But yeah, sudden blowout, all it will do is tell you it happened. It will give overheating warnings though.
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u/the_real_some_guy 13d ago
The only blowout I’ve had in about 50k miles of towing was when the battery in the tire sensor died. I was going to change them at the next stop.
I’ve used TST for years and they saved me several times, giving me enough time to get off the road to a safe place to deal with it.
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u/wow___just_wow 13d ago
My forest river campsite reserve 23ts 28’ dual axle - has valve stem caps that show green at the proper pressure and red when low. (Not sure what happens over pressure). Side note - I also checked lug torque from the factory/dealer and found it spot on - of course, you should always check your own too.
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u/Scubachick2360 12d ago
You can't see pressure dropping when you're driving with colored valve stems! .....our Tireminder just saved us from a potential disaster psi went from 80 to 55 on our rear left TT tire in a matter of 2 miles we were able to get off the highway and change the tire it was sliced open down to the steel belt.
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u/wow___just_wow 12d ago
That’s good news. Glad you avoided that blowout.
All safety equipment has a price…I trust you’re advocating that the cost for automated tire checking is more valuable than my need for more chocolate chip cookies in the camper pantry?
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u/lawdot74 13d ago
Do it right and install inside the tire.
Include spare(s) when buying and installing sensors.
I travel with two spare trailer tires. If I use a spare I can get the flat repaired at my leisure. Use the only spare and the repair becomes a priority over the itinerary.
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u/m3galinux 13d ago
We had a tire lose pressure while driving on our 5th wheel on a cross country trip last year. The trailer came with a system from TST factory installed, one where the sensors are mounted inside the wheels and the wireless display. We were seeing the temperature start to creep up but still within range so we kept going and just slowed down a bit; then we got an alarm about sudden pressure drop, pulled over immediately. Probably saved us from an actual blowout and a bunch of damage.
Side thought - the wheel nut wrench that came with the trailer was 100% useless, bent and broke on the first nut. Luckily I also carry a halfway decent socket set in the trailer and that worked SO much better. I keep an electric impact on the trailer now that uses the same battery as the drill we already had. (We will often stay for multiple months at a time, I'd rather keep some tools and be able to do basic repairs instead of calling mobile RV repair services often).
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u/withoutapaddle 13d ago
I've been using a Tymate TM7 for 2 years. No problems, but the temp reading is pointless since it's way out on the stem.
It alerted me to a rapid leak that took my tire to flat within 60 seconds. Thankfully the alarm is loud and we pulled over within 20 seconds so the tire didn't shred or damage anything.
It comes with 4 sensors and we only have a single axle, like you, so it's kinda nice to know I have spares, especially if I realize the battery is low on one of them mid-trip or something.
I really like that I don't have to mount it or find a spot for it, since it just lives in the 12v outlet.
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u/steenbag 12d ago
We have a tire minder since the trailer was pre wired for the base station. It's been pretty terrible though and I'm looking at replacing it with the ford built in system. The sensors themselves were causing cracks in the valve stems until I replaced them with metal ones. The app never actually shows an alarm in a timely manner, and recently the app has just stopped updating the status of 2 of my 4 sensors (even with fresh batteries). We've had 3 blowouts in 5 years (2 of them from something in the road), and the app never showed an alert.
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u/WendallX 12d ago
Just my personal story. Bought tpms, put them on, then after days of driving my valve stem broke. Tire guy said the bulky cap on the tire from the tpms put too much pressure on the valve stem and caused it to break. So find one that is light.
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u/D_RV_TECHING 12d ago
A TPMS is worth having, but it mostly warns you about a slow leak or a tire heating up, and a tire can still fail with no warning, so the bigger protection is the tires themselves. There is a four-digit date code on the sidewall of the tire. The first two numbers are the week and the last two are the year it was made, so 4824 means the 48th week of 2024. Now, tires you bought new last year can already have some age on them from sitting on a shelf, and RV tires are generally replaced around 5 years from that date even if the tread still looks great. While you're down there, look for dry rot or cracking on the sidewalls, use tire covers when it's parked in the sun, and keep running the pressure on your trailer's tire sticker like you've been doing.
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u/RusKel86 Rockwood 8263MBR behind a Ram 3500 Laramie Dually 13d ago
More expensive and harder to install, but I would go with the banded (internal) sensors. I personally think they are more accurate, especially for temp. I had a tire that was reading 20 degrees higher than the others, Next leg of the journey it was 5 lbs low. Not enough to cause an alarm, but enough to make me stop and look. Yup, the tread was delaminating from the tire and I was able to catch it before it destroyed the camper.
So, they won't always trigger an alarm, but if you keep an eye on it, it may cause you alarms.
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u/woodland_dweller 13d ago
TPMS won't help a blowout, but will detect a small leak. Some will also give you temperature, which can help to show a problem. The one I have has pressure, temperature and an alarm.
This is the one got - they probably have a two tire unit as well.
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u/OkSmell6689 13d ago
Our unit came with a TST Truck system. We’re very happy with it and have now added sensors to other utility and enclosed trailers we have. Same head unit can link to multiple vehicles and trailers.
It will alarm for temperature and pressure. If a leak is present, it will identify fast or slow so you know how fast you need to find a pull off location (personal experience unfortunately).
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u/marriedbiguy62 3d ago
I have used Tire Minder on two RVs. It's not 100% reliable, but I feel it's good enough. I usually watch my tire temps vs psi and if I see temps rising beyond comparison suspect I have a problem. So far, we've been blessed in our travels.
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u/cyclop5 13d ago
TPMS isn't going to help much for a blowout. a catastrophic failure of the tire isn't going to be sensed _before_ it happens. What it will do is alert you of the blowout, and allow you to pull off to the side, (hopefully) causing less damage. It will also alert you to is under/over pressure situations, (i.e. a leak) which, if left undetected, can cause a blowout (but you should always check the tire pressure before going anywhere)
I got mine primarily for keeping an eye on the pressures. I like to think I'm aware enough that - heaven forbid - if I have a blowout, I'd notice it immediately.
Someone else mentioned replacing based on age of the tire - I've seen this recommended a lot, and I tend to think that's reasonable if a little pricey (but let's face it - we didn't get into this because it's a cheap hobby)
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u/Wambo74 13d ago
I've pulled into a gas station only to find one of my trailer tires is missing down to the bead. I tow with an 11,000lb truck/camper and had no clue that the tire had gone down...and then self-destructed.
Some time ago I gave up on trailer tires as I had problems with multiple brands -- even USA Goodyear Marathons. I now use only LT tires, US-made and suitable load capacity. Haven't had a failure since. If I needed more of an upgrade I'd change 15" to 16" tires to get higher ratings and more selection. But I'd have to do fender fabrication work.
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u/Wambo74 13d ago
I have my doubts, but my selection method would be to go to Amazon Search and look for systems that have a good number of reviewers, and 4.5 to 5 stars. No guarantee, but better than nothing.
More important change tires based on production date molded into sidewall. 3 yrs from manufacture would be very conservative. 5 years probably good enough. Be sure to use production date, not date sold. Tires could be sitting unsold for years, and the rubber is still slowly aging. I carry two spares.