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Topic: Extended Valve Stems - do you need them? (Read 49 times) previous topic - next topic
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Extended Valve Stems - do you need them?
Yahoo Message Number: 152880
I know there's been tons of discussion of extended valve stems, especially for the rear duallies.  The preferred ones are from Borg (yourtireshopsupply.com --  which has a difficult to access website which works intermittently), or from The TireMan in Ridgecrest (who I understand from a previous posting is now working on an appointment-only basis and probably for not much longer).

The question I have is would getting either the Borg (now called DuallyValve) or TireMan one-piece valve stems actually make any difference on my LD?

I have a 2007 Midbath.  I bought it new.  It came with one piece extended valve stems installed by the factory, but they're not long enough to allow one to easily add air to the tires without removing the KII Simulators (the hub caps).  That's a hassle and the job takes way way longer than it should.  I can check the tires' pressures by using a straight tire gauge which has a little plastic piston that shoves out the end.  The amount it comes out gives you the tire pressure.  I'm not sure those types of gauges are super accurate, but it's probably OK for just checking the pressure.

For adding air to the tires, I have a compressor.  It has a right-angle chuck.  It cannot be attached to the valve stems without removing the KII Simulators.  That's the hassle.  I have a straight chuck but it doesn't work as well.

So, in summary, my question is if I upgrade to either DuallyValve or TireMan extended valve stems, will it actually improve things?  Do the new valves stems actually stick out an appreciable amount beyond the holes in the hub caps?

Thanks, Mike
Re: Extended Valve Stems - do you need them?
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152881
Mike asked, "Do the new valves stems actually stick out an appreciable amount beyond the holes in the hub caps?"

The ones that I purchased from The Tire Man stick out far enough to make a difference as compared to the  factory extenders on my o7 MidBath.  Not much of a difference but it is there. What really caused me to change is shortly after having new tires put on one of the original extenders developed a slow leak.  It was the one that had a big curve (the other being mostly straight).  With the metal stems you keep the stems when you change a tire.  If the valve stem starts leaking you just put in a new Poppet Poppet valve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia in the stem or a new rubber washer/gasket where the stem meets the wheel.  A much more reliable setup halving the number of parts that could go bad.  The TPMS that I got strongly recommended solid brass Schrader valve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and against the use of extenders.
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Extended Valve Stems - do you need them?
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152884
I have the Borg extended stems, and they are a lot longer then the factory supplies. Easy to check air and they add a little "bling" as they are shiny chrome. Well worth the price and I didn't pay the Tiremans inflated price. I still wonder why someone would drive all the way to Ridgecrest to have tire stems put on. I payed $45 dollars to have them installed at Goodyear. Never any leakage or problems.

bobmoore14
Re: Extended Valve Stems - do you need them?
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152885
'If the valve stem starts leaking you just put in a new Poppet Poppet valve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia in the stem or a new rubber washer/gasket where the stem meets the wheel.  A much more reliable setup halving the number of parts that could go bad.  The TPMS that I got strongly recommended solid brass Schrader valve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and against the use of extenders."

image

Poppet valve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A poppet valve (also called mushroom valve[1]) is a valve typically used to control the timing and quantity of gas or vapour flow into an engine. It consists ...

View on en.wikipedia.org

right

John

I doubt if a poppet valve would fit into a valve stem, what's shown is an engine valve, your LD's V10 has twenty of them.

If the tire valve starts leaking, you either tighten it or, if the leak persist,  replace it with a new Schrader valve.
Two of them are shown on the left in the photo below. To the right are rubber valve stems.
The Schrader valve screws into the interior of the valve stem, see the middle photo.
Schrader valve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 To install, remove, or tighten a loose Schrader valve, you need the proper tool.
http://www.autozone.com/tire-repair-and-tire-wheel/tire-valve-stem-core-remover-tool/slime-4-way-valve-tool/487510_0_0/

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: Extended Valve Stems - do you need them?
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152886
I recently bought the Borg dually extenders Six Robbles, Inc.  I tried to find them on the website, but ended up calling and ordering them by phone.  (1-800-275-7499)  Total price with tax and shipping was $121.26.  Since I buy my tires at Discount Tire, they installed them for free.

Cheryl
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Extended Valve Stems - do you need them?
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152887
http://tire-man.iwvisp.com/products.html

http://www.yourtireshopsupply.com/category/796/dually-valve-kits

JMHO (and that of a lot of others), but I wouldn't do without the long, configured valves; they make checking and airing the tires very easy and convenient. (The long valves in my rig were installed right after taking delivery in 2003; no problems in almost 12 years.)

One can order a long valve stem kit from either Chuck Carvitto (Tireman in Ridgecrest) or from Borg, if the website will come up; it still doesn't for me. The long valve stems are essentially the same from either source, and, from what I can tell, the kit prices of each are very similar. The kits come with installation instructions, so a competent tire shop *should* be able to provide a correct installation. (I suggest that the owner read the installation instructions carefully before taking the rig in and monitor the installation to make sure that the tire shop does the job right and doesn't short-cut the process! And, remove the wheel covers before taking the rig into the shop!)

BTW, the "pencil" type pressure gauges are often  inaccurate; one might want to look at these product links (there are several others) for starters:

http://www.amazon.com/Accutire-MS-4021B-Digital-Pressure-Gauge/dp/B00080QHMM

http://www.getagauge.com/Accu-Gage-HSeries.cfm

Joan
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Extended Valve Stems - do you need them?
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152889
IMHO the extended valve stems are well worth the money.  I have had them on both of my coaches.  Be aware of one issue with long stems and the MB floorplan.  If the tire that goes bad is the inside dual, you cannot get the dead wheel into the compartment where LD keeps the spare tire.  (One of LD's less brilliant engineering  decisions.)  In fact I am not sure that the outside dual wheel or the front wheel would go back into the compartment either.  I never had to try as both of my tire problems were with an inside dual.  There is less than a 0.5-inch clearance between the top of the wheel and the top of the compartment door when removing the spare tire.   With some brands of tires, you cannot get the spare wheel back into the compartment at all because the tire profile is larger even thou it is the same size as the original tire.  When I had tire issues, I put my dead wheel inside the coach, flat on the floor on a rug just inside the entry.

Doug Baker
Re: Extended Valve Stems - do you need them?
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152890
I have the Borg extensions too, work well.

The very best straight tire chuck I've found is the Milton 691. Nothing chintzy about this one, seals properly and easily, and will doubtless last a lifetime:

http://www.amazon.com/Milton-691-Straight-Head-Chuck/dp/B001O2ZKQC/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1432224597&sr=8-9&keywords=straight+tire+chuck

O'Reilly has them for a little less.

bumper
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer
Re: Extended Valve Stems - do you need them?
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152891
So, do you buy the chuck and the add the extension? I have 22" wheels.
Re: Extended Valve Stems - do you need them?
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152900
Ellen,

To clarify, the Borg (or Tireman) long, solid tire Schrader valves allows one to easily reach the valve for filling or checking air pressure, especially on the inside dual wheels, which without extensions of some type would be difficult to reach.

The Milton 691 is an air chuck used to service Schrader valves with air and would normally be used with an air compressor. Since it is a "straight" air chuck, it'll work great on the LD's wheels equipped with extended valves. There will be some wheels where the Milton 691 won't work at all, such as those on a motorcycle where disk brakes may preclude a straight shot at the Schrader valve.

bumper
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer
Re: Extended Valve Stems - do you need them?
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152903
I suspect that John is really referring to the "flow through" valve caps; often called "gator clips."  I know that Tireman stems come with these installed.

Doug Baker
Re: Extended Valve Stems - do you need them?
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152905
"Alligator" air-through valve caps (not the cheap knock-offs) are available from a few sources; Myers only sells them in boxes of 50, but Expedition Exchange sells individual caps. They're not cheap, but they work well, last a long time, and, because they're air-through, one doesn't lose the cap through a hole in the wheel cover!

http://www.myerstiresupply.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=263

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/cart/product.php?productid=18639&cat=377&page=1

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: Extended Valve Stems - do you need them?
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152969
I wanted to thank everyone who replied to my valve stem questions.  I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience!
 I've gone ahead and ordered a set of Borg (DuallyValve) stems for all 6 tires.  I should receive them tomorrow and hopefully get them installed this next week.

Thanks again!

Mike