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Topic: To TPMS or To Not TPMS (Tire Pressure Management System) (Read 515 times) previous topic - next topic
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To TPMS or To Not TPMS (Tire Pressure Management System)
I have scoured the archives concerning TPMS systems and am wondering about your current thoughts or recommendations about whether to install or not.

We’ve owned two LD’s, a RB and now a 31 IB.  I am religious in checking tire pressure but had a low tire reading on our toad on our last trip.  The car was not attached and I noticed it when I started the car in the morning before attaching.  I would not have gotten an alert if we had been running down the highway though.

I am trying to balance cost, safety, peace of mind, and common wisdom in my decision so would appreciate your thoughts as to whether you use a systems and if so, which one.

Thanks so much for your advice. 
'O6 IB Anniversary Model
Sue, My Copilot
Carlie, our canine princess
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #1 –
Quote from: Jules  - 
I have scoured the archives concerning TPMS systems and am wondering about your current thoughts or recommendations about whether to install or not.

We’ve owned two LD’s, a RB and now a 31 IB.  I am religious in checking tire pressure but had a low tire reading on our toad on our last trip.  The car was not attached and I noticed it when I started the car in the morning before attaching.  I would not have gotten an alert if we had been running down the highway though.

I am trying to balance cost, safety, peace of mind, and common wisdom in my decision so would appreciate your thoughts as to whether you use a systems and if so, which one.

Thanks so much for your advice. 
Did you read this thread from The Lazy Daze Companion? The Lazy Daze Companion: Tire Pressure Management Systems (TPMS)

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #2 –
Chris,
Yes, I have.  I’m just wondering what people’s current feelings are.
Thanks,
'O6 IB Anniversary Model
Sue, My Copilot
Carlie, our canine princess
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #3 –
Wouldn't leave home with the TPMS, especially when pulling the Jeep.
I know people who have lost their toads due to fire caused by flat tires and dragging brakes.
Even with a rear view camera, it's hard to know what is going on behind you, a flat tire will only show when it blows apart.
With the TPMS, you can monitor the tire pressures and, either directly or indirectly, the tire temperature .

I have run a Doran 360 TPMS for many years and it keeps on ticking.
Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #4 –
Jules,

Our Tire Minder TM66 saved my bacon last year while passing through Vegas. If the TPMS hadn’t warned me of the slow leak, I would most likely have destroyed my outside rear and soon afterward it’s companion.

Simple installation and Camping World had a special at the time of my purchase. Not sure if you have the long steel valve stems, but they are a great match for any TPMS.

Lots of good things to add for tire maintenance and peace of mind. The TPMS is a vital part of the whole equation.

Kent

2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #5 –
As Larry said, we’d not leave home without a TPMS.   In fact, I’d say it’s one of our “must haves” along with a whole house surge protector.   A review of the many different brands of TPMS shows that each has a strong following which means you probably can’t go wrong.
 
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #6 –
are these systems easy to install for "dummies" or is it something a shop needs to do?
2013 31' Silver Twin Bed
Semi-retired 6/21....
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #7 –
Quote from: pdl2win  - 
are these systems easy to install for "dummies" or is it something a shop needs to do?

I'd say it's easier than setting up a new cell phone for the 1st time.  Each brand probably has a slightly different setup method.  On our TPMS, we turn-on the monitor, follow a few simple steps, locate a tire and attach the Sensor.  The tire's air pressure activates the sensor and registers itself to the monitor.  Then move on to the next tire on your Rig and advance to that same tire location on the monitor.  Attach the second sensor, which registers it's location with the monitor and so forth.  It's important to mark the sensors somehow (1,2,3,4,5, & 6) for each of the six tires.  If you remove the sensors while in storage or for some other reason, you'll want to know the 6 sensors' location since each Sensor is registered to a specific tire.

The TPMS instructions should help the User setup tire pressure range alerts and tire temperature range alerts.  Again, not difficult and a feature in the setup section of the monitor. 

At any rate, I don't think you'd need a shop to install a TPMS system.  Besides, the major TPMS brands are reported to have excellent Customer Service.

Hope this helps.
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #8 –
To illustrate the simplicity of our TM66, here is the Minder Research installation video. https://youtu.be/qeQgZ_ZpL-M

I followed these instructions to install our TPMS. Doesn’t require a pro to install it. The included manual is easy to follow, but I just used the video and referred to the manual if I had any questions.

Minder Research has newer TPMS systems that use your smart phone as the dash mount monitor. Other TPMS system manufactures may even have easier systems to install.

They all do the same basic functions-Monitor for Slow Leaks, Heat of the tire and a Blowout.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #9 –
Jules, IMO the question is a no-brainer.   I found the most difficult thing was to set the h/lo  pressure and temperature limits on my TST 507 TPMS which was made much easier after reading the RYFM.1ST file.  The only time it was not helpful was when the sound of the flapping remnants of the inner dually drowned out the alarm.   The temp readings can give you an alert is something is going on with the tow'd brakes.  I found it money well spent.

Just remember to take the sensors of the tow'd before going thru the carwash.... :(

Joel
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #10 –
As I have said before, if you check your tire pressures just before starting out, and do not have a TPMS, you know what your pressures USED TO BE.  You have no idea what they are 10 miles later.  I told of someone who checked his tires, hooked up his TOAD, drove 30 miles, arrives at his destination, and had no rubber left on the right front.  Thirty miles without a TPMS, and it cost him a high end tire, custom wheel, and rotor.  Final bill was either $1500 or $1600. 

Key points - he had no idea his TOAD's right front tire was going bad, he had no idea what caused the loss of pressure, and he did a ton of damage in a short distance.

It is up  to you, but I am with Larry, Ed, and the others above.  I bought my system for all ten tires and had it with me when I picked up my new MB from the factory.  I did not drive it 10 feet without a TPMS.  It took me perhaps 15 minutes to install and program it.  I plugged in the monitor - done.  Then, one at a time, I connected the tire sensors, one at a time, and waited up to 30 seconds for the monitor to read the sensor on each tire before moving on to the next one.

Ken F in OR 
'08 MB
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #11 –
Yikes.....lots of TPMS systems out there........any better than the others from you fine folks point of views?

Thanks!
2013 31' Silver Twin Bed
Semi-retired 6/21....
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #12 –
Pulse Package + 6 Pulse Sensors - Tire Pressure Monitor

I purchased this system in late February.  Not counting the time I spent trimming the simulators to make room for the sensors, I installed and set it up in about an hour.  I found it easy to program and set the alarm limits, etc.  It performed perfectly on a 2500 mile RT to Florida.  Being able to check the pressures and temperatures by individual tire, or axle, anytime is great, which I did quite a bit.  I appreciate the ability to do that more than I expected.

I also like that it's expandable, so if\when I get a toad, all I would need is the sensors and a few minutes to add the vehicle and sensors into the monitor. 

Since mine is new, I can't talk about long-term reliability (maybe others can).  I can say that I promptly received personal messages from Steve at L&S Safety acknowledging and thanking me for my business on both occasions when I made a purchase.  That gave me a good feeling about future customer service\support if it were ever needed. 

Bill
Bill
2003 -- 23' FL
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #13 –
My system also came from the PressurePro people, but pre-dated the Pulse system they now offer.  My monitor is still going strong.  My sensors, advertised to last 5 or 6 years, first showed low batteries, by sometimes losing the signal when cold, at about the 8 year point.  Prior to that time, one sensor had failed and was replaced.  I replaced all the sensors at 8 years.  I endorse Bill's comments about PressurePro's customer service and add that I found my TPMS from them to be a long-term reliable item.

Ken F in OR
'08 MB
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS
Reply #14 –
Joel, you said:

Quote

Just remember to take the sensors of the tow'd before going thru the carwash

Ca you tell more about this? What about deep puddle or heavy rain....

Jane

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Regards, The Lazy Daze Owners Team
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS (Tire Pressure Management System)
Reply #15 –
Quote from: Jane and Scott  - 
Joel, you said:
Quote
Just remember to take the sensors of the tow'd before going thru the carwash.... :(
Ca you tell more about this? What about deep puddle or heavy rain....
I believe the issue is in car washes that run spinning brushes across the wheels, not the exposure to water.  In just the wrong circumstances, the brushes could un-spin the monitor cap off of the valve stem.

Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS (Tire Pressure Management System)
Reply #16 –
Quote from: Older_Fossil  - 
Ca you tell more about this? What about deep puddle or heavy rain....

I believe the issue is in car washes that run spinning brushes across the wheels, not the exposure to water.  In just the wrong circumstances, the brushes could un-spin the monitor cap off of the valve stem.

Art
The actual effect was 'breaking the sensor off at the base' for two of them.  :(
Did not take the 'touchless car wash' option.  YMMV with touchless.  For me,  I'll just take them off..  ;)
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: To TPMS or To Not TPMS (Tire Pressure Management System)
Reply #17 –
Thanks for the info.
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.