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Valve extenders and valve stems
Yahoo Message Number: 136262
Would it be possible to have some help from this group?
 I posted the below two posts on rv.net yesterday (the post at the bottom is my first post) and feel that I need additional input. We have a 2002 RB. As we get set to get new tires the first thing I did was read the posts at this site discussing valve stems and valve extenders.
 Our Lazy Daze has metal valve stems on all the tires and extenders on the rear inside tires (I think I am using the correct terms here). I am thinking that after 12 years of use it would be best to call the Tireman and get all new everything. But, does the guy from the truck store make sense. Is it really better, assuming you don't mind the reach, to get nothing?

Thank you.
Kathy
 ____ I posted the information below this morning. I read the posts and decided to call the Tireman and order the valve extenders.
 Before doing so, I called a tire store that our RV Center, whom I trust, recommended. The man I spoke to suggested that I not get valve extenders. He said that he is constantly dealing with tires that blow or have issues with low air pressure because the extenders get clogged with dirt, etc. He said that our local fire company and ambulance center have stopped using extenders for these reasons.
 He want on to say that if we want to come into his shop, he would be glad to show us what he means.

So, may I ask people's opinion on this?

Again, thank you for your input.

__

Let me apologize up front if I am not as clear as I should be here.
 First, if I am right-valve extenders are the "braided" steel "tubes" on our RV that allow us to check the tire pressure in the back/rear/hard to reach tires.
 Next, tire valve stems are the rubber parts of the wheels that allow us to check the air pressure inside the tires. Replacement valves are when you buy brass fittings for these rubber stems.

If I am wrong with these definitions, feel free to correct me.
 Now, some back history. We had an RV for two years and had no problems at all with tire pressure.
 Then, in 2007, we bought a "new to us" 2002 rv. This rv had valve extenders. When we bought the rv we went to a truck shop and had new tires put on. However, we have had periodic issues with the tires retaining air pressure. Most often, after my husband has checked the air pressure. And, this issue has gotten worse over the past two years.
 So, now it is time to get new tires, and I want to do everything I can to avoid the air pressure issues this time around.

So, my questions: #1. Do valve extenders get old? After 11 years, should we buy new ones or are the old ones fine? #2. And, if I am right in my definitions of valve stems and replacement valves, would people say to buy metal replacement valves? If so, do you buy them for all of the tires? Even the tires with the valve extenders? #3. When we get the tires on (and I am not going back to the truck shop that did the tires in 2007) is there anything special we should ask the mechanic to do, to avoid future air pressure issues? #4. Is there anything I am missing?

Thank you for your suggestions.
Re: Valve extenders and valve stems
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136263
"kathymd31"  wrote: Our Lazy Daze has metal valve stems on all the tires and extenders on the rear inside tires (I think I am using the correct terms here). I am thinking that after 12 years of use it would be best to call the Tireman and get all new everything. But, does the guy from the truck store make sense. Is it really better, assuming you don't mind the reach, to get nothing? --- I strongly recommend ordering the valve stem kit from the Tireman (or from Borg); installed correctly, these valve stems don't leak and they make checking tire pressures and adding air when necessary very convenient.
 The Tireman-installed long valves on my rig have been in place for over 9 years and through a tire set replacement, and they will stay in place through the upcoming tire set replacement.

Get the long valve stems and be done with it! ;-)

As ever, YMMV.

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Valve extenders and valve stems
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136268
Ditto on Tireman.
 We had some new tires installed along with the original valve extensions. Sure enough, the first day we take it out, one of the duallies developed a slow leak overnight.
 We've had AAA for years, so we simply added the RV upgrade option when we got our LD. After I called in the trouble call, the service truck was out there in minutes ... however, the process of re-filling the tire took around 1/2 hour.
 While the service tech struggled with our tire, I had a chance to look @ his (brand-new-top-of-the-line) rig, including his bright chrome metal tire valves. Me: "What kind of extensions do you use?" Tech: "We don't - they leak - those are custom fitted tire valves." Me: "Oh".
 When he left, I called Chuck the Tireman and ordered a set of valves. He is very thorough - his valves are custom made depending on your make, model, etc. When I began to describe my LD, he knew immediately which kit to send.
 He included detailed instructions for my go-to service place, and they had them installed in hours. We've had them for a few months now, and all I can say is, they facilitate obsessive tire pressure checking since it's about as easy to fill/check as brushing your teeth.

K
Re: Valve extenders and valve stems
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136270
Kathy:  Looks like your getting the right advice on valve extenders.   The braided kind tend to leak and if you've gotten 12 years out of your rear dual extenders you are one of the lucky ones.   If a braided extender is damaged you begin losing air from the tire because there's nothing to stop it from leaking.   With a metal extended this possibility is eliminated unless the metal extender itself gets damaged.
I visited Chuck the Tire Man last August and it was a very fun and informative visit.   Chuck is pretty much a Lazy Daze expert and points out any potential tire and chassis problems on your rig while he works.   If it's not too far out of your way it's worth the visit.   However, you can certainly mail order your new extenders from Chuck and any competent tire shop can install them.  If I remember correctly he no longer recommends tire shops to mail order customers because, in his words, "with the economy the way it's been the guy that puts your extenders on may have been delivering pizzas two weeks ago".   In other words, he's a profectionist and wants to make sure the jobs done right.   If it helps for a comparison, total cost at his shop was about $450, and he has a 30amp hookup so you can stay overnight if you want.
You're making the right decision and will have one less thing to worry about during your travels.   Enjoy!   Gale
G N Wilson
2008 Mid-Bath
Re: Valve extenders and valve stems
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136271
Thank you again, one and all, for the information.
 Since I live in Pennsylvania, I won't be making a trip to California, but I will be calling.

Kathy
 
Re: Valve extenders and valve stems
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136273
If anyone is in the Quartzsite area and needs service on their LD or toad, especially tires, we can highly recommend Ace Tire and Automotive at 500 W.
Hobsonway in Blythe, CA.
 If you need a front end alignment, Joe's Alignment at 129 S. Commercial in Blythe does a good job (recommended to us by Ace Tire).
 And, if you need any transmission work done, we can recommend Marcelo's Auto Repair at 84801 Avenue 48 in Coachella, CA (also recommended to us by Ace Tire).

Linda Hylton http://earl-linda.blogspot.com
Linda Hylton