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Topic: Flow Through Valve Stem Adapters and our TPMS (Read 718 times) previous topic - next topic
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Flow Through Valve Stem Adapters and our TPMS
It’s exciting when you can experience something new for the very first time.

http://youtu.be/09wON6jwJ2o

With our newly installed Flow Through Valve Stem Adapters and our TPMS all charged and ready for action, Cindy and I headed to Zion National Park.

Knowing Vegas morning traffic can be hectic, we hit the road at 4:00 am and passed through LV at about 10:30. Smooth sailing until just out of town. Then it hit. Bumper to bumper traffic as we passed through the tail end of road construction. Well almost passed through.

My TPMS was only too happy to alert me for the very first time of a slow leak in the right outside dually. I really like it when things work as they should, but I could have lived without this one.

I slowly made my way off the 15 and into a nice spot behind a Dollar store. All along I watched as I lost pound after pound of air pressure. How exciting.

A quick call to Coach-Net and a speedy repair from a very friendly tire tech named Robert and we were back on the road again (sorry no Willie Nelson link here).

I had everything in hand to ease the pain of the experience. A loving and patient wife, my new and unused Viair Compressor and time to spare.

While I waited for Robert to arrive, I checked the tire pressure. 12 pounds and dropping. “Oh boy”, I thought. “Time to put the Viair through its paces”.

After realizing that the Viair needed its filter in place, I had the tire back up to 70 lbs in no time. Just as Robert rolled up to repair the flat. “No swapping tires for me”, I told him. “I’m going to need that spare”. He agreed.

A nail (probably still attatched to a board) had barely penetrated the tire between the treads. Robert did an outstanding job of patching the flat from the inside...good as new.

I am grateful for many things in my life. Near the top of my list is LDO and all my friends here. If not for everyone here, I would have, most likely, not purchased a TPMS and I would have driven my beautiful LD for miles until my inside dually was trash as well. Then where would I be? I hate to think about it.

So all-in-all everything worked out fine. No fuss no muss. Another proud moment in North Star History.  https://youtu.be/DONkgw00QSE

Thanks all,

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #1 –
Kent, glad to hear that your preparations saved the day and that the only damage was merely a time delay.  Hopefully the rest of the trip will be uneventful.

Where are you staying your first night?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #2 –
Greg,

Thanks. Things are moving along swimmingly. We are spending the week in Watchman CG. Planning ahead pays off. I was able to get Site #54 till Friday and site #50 until Sunday. Both right on the Virgin River.

Bought two Floating Tube’s and spent a couple of hours seeing the cliffs from a spectacular river view. Enough water to keep us moving along nicely. A bit of jockeying about to get past the shallows but a ton of fun. 

Bike rides and smoothies are the norm while here. Just keeping busy doing nothing but taking it all in one day at a time. Great weather. Much nicer than July which can be a hot mess.

Life doesn’t get much better...

Kent 
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #3 –
Kent, looks like you snagged dandy site(s) in Loop B. Enjoy!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Kent Heckethorn  - 
Greg,

Thanks. Things are moving along swimmingly. We are spending the week in Watchman CG. Planning ahead pays off. I was able to get Site #54 till Friday and site #50 until Sunday. Both right on the Virgin River.

Bought two Floating Tube’s and spent a couple of hours seeing the cliffs from a spectacular river view. Enough water to keep us moving along nicely. A bit of jockeying about to get past the shallows but a ton of fun. 

Bike rides and smoothies are the norm while here. Just keeping busy doing nothing but taking it all in one day at a time. Great weather. Much nicer than July which can be a hot mess.

Life doesn’t get much better...

Kent
Kent, glad you were able to easily navigate the tire issue and Watchman looks great!  We are going to be there for just three nights, August 16 - 19th.  I'm guessing it will be brutally hot, but still looking forward to the trip.  Enjoy your travels
David  8)
David and Marie Philbrick
Proud former 2017 27' MB Owners
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #5 –
Quote from: DPhilbrick  - 
Kent, glad you were able to easily navigate the tire issue and Watchman looks great!  We are going to be there for just three nights, August 16 - 19th.  I'm guessing it will be brutally hot, but still looking forward to the trip.

You might consider getting a site in one of the private campgrounds, with an electrical hookup for your A/C.
We made the mistake of going there years ago, in mid-summer, and just baked at night, not having hookups.
It was a good time to stay in the water.

Three years ago we arrive the on Easter and it was very hot during the day. The next day, it rained all day in the canyon and snowed in the park's high country.  Got to love spring.

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: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #6 –
David,

Brutally Hot indeed...July of 2016 we were here at Watchman CG and ran the AC from 9 am till 9pm. Thankfully Watchman has electric hook ups now (sorry for your experience, Larry). No additional charge for its use made it a no-brainer to keep it cool inside. Generators are not allowed.

We did no more than drape a thick blanket between the cab and coach, insulate the roof vents and pull the shades during the day. Kept ‘er pleasant enough if not downright cold inside when compared to the 100 degree temps outside.

Enjoy your trip.

Kent

2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Kent Heckethorn  - 

Brutally Hot indeed...July of 2016 we were here at Watchman CG and ran the AC from 9 am till 9pm. Thankfully Watchman has electric hook ups now

Good to know, thanks.

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: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #8 –
Kent, in your photo, what's that wrapped around the hose?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #9 –
Greg,

Ha! That’s a plastic trash bag to throw off my neighbor in Long Beach. I thought that the yellow power cord would be a dead giveaway that I was hooked up to my home shore power.

I was told by the Code Enforcement agent (per my call regarding my neighbors call to the city about my LD in the driveway) that a power cord may trigger suspicion of a “ live in” RV resident.

Now days I just leave it on the cord rather than take it off just to put it back on at home. I keep the fridge going for speedy departures now that I’m using the rig almost every month. 😸

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #10 –
This is in response to Jakester1201/Gary and his request for information on the Tire Spoon I use.

I use an old Craftsman Tire Spoon I purchased on eBay. It is about 10” long and has a bend on either end in opposite directions. One end is rounded like a spoon but flat. The other end is more like a flat screwdriver about an inch wide.

Pics aren’t posting at this time so I hope this helps. Oh my...there it is. 🙀

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #11 –
Thank you Kent!

Gary
2007 30' TB
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #12 –
I got my LD last year in May, and I love it.  I also bought tire monitoring system, but I can't get to the inside dually.  Help!  I've even cut my hand trying to get them on but it's too tight.
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #13 –
Quote from: bree49  - 
I got my LD last year in May, and I love it.  I also bought tire monitoring system, but I can't get to the inside dually.  Help!  I've even cut my hand trying to get them on but it's too tight.
Many times, the chrome wheel covers need to be trimmed to provide clearance for the senders.
A Dremmel tool,  with a sanding drum or die grinder, with a carbide burr, works.

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: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #14 –
Thank you Larry.
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #15 –
Bree,

What year is your LD. When we got our ‘15 RB, I had a hellava time getting air to the rear dually’s. A true PITA. Once I had the Borge Long Valve Stems installed, everything came together and it no longer was a struggle. It also helps to have a dual legged tire inflator/gauge to get to the valve if you don’t have the Borge Stems.

If you have not or do not have the Borge Long Valve Stems on the inside dually and the ancillary Curved Outside Dually Valve, then it’s time to make the move. Borge sells these long stems on line at Your Tire Shop Supply Co. Your Tire Shop Supply | Supplies for Tire Shops

Don’t let the site confuse you as it can be a bit overwhelming. Simply give them a call and tell what chassis you have (e450?). They will ask you a few questions and ship to you directly. We had our Stems installed at Allen Tire Company in Long Beach, Ca. Any good tire store can install them. Borge will make suggestions for your area.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #16 –
Bree,

Not knowing your particular TPMS I’ll ask this question. Are your TPMS sensors able to remain on the valve stem when you add air (that is once you’ve mounted them)?

My Tire Minder TPMS TM66 requires that I remove the sensor each time I added air. For this reason I purchased their Flow Through Valve Stems. I’m not sure if you’ve read my previous posts on them but here are two pics to show what they look like.

Good luck.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #17 –
Quote from: Kent Heckethorn  - 
David,

I had to look back at my spreadsheet to see that Watchman had electric: 30A.  Just keep the AC going all day.  We're in B30.  We use the blanket as a drape between the cab and coach and have covers for the vents.  Should be fine.  Florida can be pretty hot in the summer too. 

Brutally Hot indeed...July of 2016 we were here at Watchman CG and ran the AC from 9 am till 9pm. Thankfully Watchman has electric hook ups now (sorry for your experience, Larry). No additional charge for its use made it a no-brainer to keep it cool inside. Generators are not allowed.

We did no more than drape a thick blanket between the cab and coach, insulate the roof vents and pull the shades during the day. Kept ‘er pleasant enough if not downright cold inside when compared to the 100 degree temps outside.

Enjoy your trip.

Kent
David and Marie Philbrick
Proud former 2017 27' MB Owners
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #18 –
there are a lot of long term folks here.  I got my LD in 2011 and still feel like a newbie.  The honey moon with the RV has not ended.  I hope you have a similar experience.  

then:

and recently.  

Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
 
Re: Proud Parents: We Got One
Reply #19 –
After contacting Minder Research (Tire Minder) about my TPMS TM66 front tire sensors my suspicions were confirmed.

The tire Sensors MUST be out from behind the decorative wheel covers. Even with the Flow Throw Valve extensions the sensors are still behind the cover. Time to get them the heck outta there.

To accomplish this, Minder Research suggested I contact Borge to get the necessary valve stem to rectify my problem.

Today I received the new valve stems Borge recommended. They measure 2 1/2” long and have a slight 20 degree bend to avoid contact with the oval hole in the wheel cover.

The flow throw valve is approximately 1 1/2” long so with the new valve stem included in the overall length the TPMS sensor should be out in the open but not past the hub of the wheel cover.

This should eliminate the NS (no signal) warning I have been receiving on occasion.

One thing at a time. It’s all coming together.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"