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Topic: Chuck The Tire Man - Valve Stems - 2017 Mid-Bath (Read 323 times) previous topic - next topic
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Chuck The Tire Man - Valve Stems - 2017 Mid-Bath
Was not able to get valve stems put on Rosie #2 when we picked her up.  Now we're back in Michigan.  I called Chuck and he recommended Professional Auto Truck Service in Ohio (2-1/2 - 3 hour drive).  Has anyone in Ohio had experience with them?

Glenn & Joan Lambert
Redford, MI
Glenn & Joan Lambert
Redford, MI
2017 27' Mid-Bath
Re: Chuck The Tire Man - Valve Stems - 2017 Mid-Bath
Reply #1 –
Glenn,
Chuck was very helpful when I called him and ordered a set of valve stem extenders last summer.  He emphasized the importance of installing them correctly. You can download his installation instructions from his site and print them and then give them to the tech who is installing them for you.  I carefully read them in advance, and then, like the PITA that I am, went out into the service bay and instructed the tech to read the instructions, handed him the printed instructions, told him to ask me if there was anything he didn't understand, and gave him Chuck's phone number if he would prefer to call him.  The kid did the installation in 90 minutes while I waited. I tipped the kid when he was finished.

I had them installed at Discount Tire/America's Tire here in San Diego for $60 plus tip.  I checked the air pressure for a few days to see if they were installed correctly, and no loss of pressure over time.  I don't think the installation is rocket science if the tech just reads the instructions and follows the directions.

HD

2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Chuck The Tire Man - Valve Stems - 2017 Mid-Bath
Reply #2 –
You have to be careful of using Discount Tire. They hire a lot of young kids who don't have much experience. I had Discount Tire install Tireman extenders when I last got new tires. The ones for the rear duals were touching the wheel simulators. Just barely, but they were touching. I took the motorhome back, and sat there with them while they called Chuck and had him explain how they were to be installed. They seemed to work on the motorhome for a while, and then said it was fixed. If I looked carefully I could see a little daylight between the simulator and the stems so I figured it was okay.

6,000 miles later when I was filling the tires I noticed a groove cut into one of the rear valve stems. So I ordered two more from Chuck and went back to discount tire. They tried to give the rig back to me with the new stems installed like the old ones were. But after I showed them the damaged old one, and explained (yet again) how they were to be installed, they finally got them installed correctly so they are in the middle of the holes, and shouldn't rub.

However, in the process of all this they damaged the wheel simulators. They have told me they will be replacing them at their expense, but it leads me to believe their installation crew is not familiar with motorhomes. They had the best tire price, but this has been a headache.

Laurie - 2018 RB
Re: Chuck The Tire Man - Valve Stems - 2017 Mid-Bath
Reply #3 –
Your experience was unfortunate.

I explained to the tech how to do it, and then stood there and watched him do the job.  I understand that it is probably unpleasant for the young person to work while being watched by a cranky old grouch, but the job gets done correctly. And then the kid gets a tip.
HD
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Chuck The Tire Man - Valve Stems - 2017 Mid-Bath
Reply #4 –
"He emphasized the importance of installing them correctly. You can download his installation instructions from his site and print them and then give them to the tech who is installing them for you.  I carefully read them in advance, and then, like the PITA that I am, went out into the service bay and instructed the tech to read the instructions, handed him the printed instructions, told him to ask me if there was anything he didn't understand, and gave him Chuck's phone number if he would prefer to call him."
---
 ;)  A fellow PITA here! The mechanic at the Ford place broke the tip off one of my long valves a year or so ago; since the valves were the 'originals', installed two days after I picked up my TK in 2003, I decided to replace all of them, and ordered the kit from Chuck.

I downloaded, carefully read, and printed the instructions, including putting the critical steps in red! I drove across town and dropped off the instructions and kit at the shop, asking the mechanic to RTFM before my appointment.

When I went to the shop, I went over the instructions again with the mechanic, and asked him to come get me in the waiting area if there were any problems. It took a couple of trips back to the shop area to point out the critical 'fit' points (in red print!), make sure that the grommet was seated correctly and supporting the long valve from the inside dual, re-set the angle on the U-shaped valve for the outside dual, and tighten the valve seats to the proper torque.

The installation instructions provided with a Tireman valve kit are very clear , but the chances for screw ups are significant if the owner and installer don't read and understand them, and/or if the installer is in a hurry, careless, and sloppy.  (Or, wonders what those rubber 'discs' are and throws them out!  :o )

IMO, it's not being a PITA to monitor the work being done and to check the final installation carefully. (And, be sure to remove the wheel covers  - leave them home and take the naked-wheeled rig to the shop -before having any work done on the wheels or tires!)





2003 TK has a new home
Re: Chuck The Tire Man - Valve Stems - 2017 Mid-Bath
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Blueox25  - 
I understand that it is probably unpleasant for the young person to work while being watched by a cranky old grouch, but the job gets done correctly.

Harold, when you came and visited our area, I found Cyndy to be very pleasant and not cranky at all.  Oh sorry, you're talking about you . . .  :D
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Chuck The Tire Man - Valve Stems - 2017 Mid-Bath
Reply #6 –
Just about every set of extended stems, mounted on the rear duals, has stems that rub on the stainless steel wheel covers.
The brass stems can be bent a bit, do it at your own risk.
Instead of bending them to clear the covers, I use either a Dremmel tool, with a sanding drum or a die grinder, with carbide burr, to cleanly trim the wheel covers to clear the stems.
I then cut short pieces of clear, plastic tubing to slip over the stems, protecting them from the cover's sharp edges, adding a little more protection.
Clear tubing can also be used as anti-chaffing gear for the older, hose extensions, where they pass through the stainless steel cover. FYI- I use Locktite to lock the hose end on the valve stem, to help prevent loosening.

I have used kits from both Tireman and Borg Tire, they both fit in similar ways, both usually need the covers adjusted, to clear the stems.
Duallyvalve Kits for Ford, GM, Dodge - Class C

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: Chuck The Tire Man - Valve Stems - 2017 Mid-Bath
Reply #7 –
"Just about every set of extended stems, mounted on the rear duals, has stems that rub on the stainless steel wheel covers.....Instead of bending them to clear the covers, I use either a Dremmel tool, with a sanding drum or a die grinder, with carbide burr, to cleanly trim the wheel covers to clear the stems.
I then cut short pieces of clear, plastic tubing to slip over the stems, protecting them from the cover's sharp edges, adding a little more protection."
---
The 'valve holes' in the rear wheel covers on my 2003 were enlarged twice; my brother used a grinder and carbide burr for one occasion and a plasma cutter for another. After installing the second set of valves (which come through the covers at 'marginally' different angles), the valves still clear the holes, but by less than I'd like. The valves are 'slip covered' with plastic tubing, per Larry's instruction, but brother will get another opportunity to fire up his toys and make bigger holes!  ;)

The wheel covers on pre-2007 rigs are attached with two 'nuts'; post-2007 are snap-on covers, and I think the wheel cover 'creep' that can cut into the brass valve stems is a lot more common with these later covers.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Chuck The Tire Man - Valve Stems - 2017 Mid-Bath
Reply #8 –
Quote from: JCT  - 
on pre-2007 rigs are attached with two 'nuts'; post-2007 are snap-on covers, and I think the wheel cover 'creep' that can cut into the brass valve stems is a lot more common with these later covers.
A good reason to install the short plastic tubing covers.
They are next to invisible and are cheap insurance.

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: Chuck The Tire Man - Valve Stems - 2017 Mid-Bath
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Blueox25  - 
Glenn,
Chuck was very helpful when I called him and ordered a set of valve stem extenders last summer.  He emphasized the importance of installing them correctly. You can download his installation instructions from his site and print them and then give them to the tech who is installing them for you.  I carefully read them in advance, and then, like the PITA that I am, went out into the service bay and instructed the tech to read the instructions, handed him the printed instructions, told him to ask me if there was anything he didn't understand, and gave him Chuck's phone number if he would prefer to call him.  The kid did the installation in 90 minutes while I waited. I tipped the kid when he was finished.

I had them installed at Discount Tire/America's Tire here in San Diego for $60 plus tip.  I checked the air pressure for a few days to see if they were installed correctly, and no loss of pressure over time.  I don't think the installation is rocket science if the tech just reads the instructions and follows the directions.

HD



Yeah, Check told me all about the "challenges" different LD owners have had in getting the stems installed correctly.  And that's why he has put the detailed instructions on his website.  And that's why he also suggested the auto truck service that's the closest to me (near Cleveland, OH).  He said they have installed his stems in the past.  So I think it will worth making the drive.
Glenn & Joan Lambert
2017 MB
Redford, MI 
Glenn & Joan Lambert
Redford, MI
2017 27' Mid-Bath
Re: Chuck The Tire Man - Valve Stems - 2017 Mid-Bath
Reply #10 –
"....the "challenges" different LD owners have had in getting the stems installed correctly.  And that's why he has put the detailed instructions on his website."
----
Yes, the installation instructions provided with Chuck's long valve kit are very clear and concise. However, if the owner doesn't read them first in order to understand exactly how the valves should be installed, s/he will not be aware of any problems with the installation and will likely assume that the job has been done correctly. And, if the installer doesn't read the instructions to get the whole picture, either, and just figures that any idiot can put valves into wheel holes and that just 'ballparking' the job will work just swell, the owner will undoubtedly regret the resulting lash-up and the shop will lose money on the necessary do over.

Any procedure or installation can go south if little or no attention is paid to the instructions; 'RTFM' is always good advice. ::)

2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: Chuck The Tire Man - Valve Stems - 2017 Mid-Bath
Reply #11 –
Quote from: JCT  - 
"....the "challenges" different LD owners have had in getting the stems installed correctly.  And that's why he has put the detailed instructions on his website."
----
Yes, the installation instructions provided with Chuck's long valve kit are very clear and concise. However, if the owner doesn't read them first in order to understand exactly how the valves should be installed, s/he will not be aware of any problems with the installation and will likely assume that the job has been done correctly. And, if the installer doesn't read the instructions to get the whole picture, either, and just figures that any idiot can put valves into wheel holes and that just 'ballparking' the job will work just swell, the owner will undoubtedly regret the resulting lash-up and the shop will lose money on the necessary do over.

Any procedure or installation can go south if little or no attention is paid to the instructions; 'RTFM' is always good advice. ::)
I have used Discount Tire for my all my sets of tires but I have always stood by the installer's side as he put them on the LD, making sure the valves were put on correctly and the tires got on the right rims. I try to keep the rims in the same places.
Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB