TPMS on Trailer
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 1
From: Corpus Christi, TX
TPMS on Trailer
hey guys,
So we went out to our trailer yesterday to prep it for the weekend. Installed the battery shut off and a few other things. I have a wireless TPMS sensor kit that comes with little sensors needing to be installed on each tire valve. When I started tightening them, they all registered properly, but the valve stems would start to turn as I tightened the sensors down more. I think they were allowing for some air to leak out continuously. Anyone else put them on their trailer and if so, how did you prevent the valve stem from twisting as you tightened them.
So we went out to our trailer yesterday to prep it for the weekend. Installed the battery shut off and a few other things. I have a wireless TPMS sensor kit that comes with little sensors needing to be installed on each tire valve. When I started tightening them, they all registered properly, but the valve stems would start to turn as I tightened the sensors down more. I think they were allowing for some air to leak out continuously. Anyone else put them on their trailer and if so, how did you prevent the valve stem from twisting as you tightened them.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 374
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
What brand do you have? I have the TST brand and you had to use a wrench provided to tighten them onto your valve stem, once tightened the cap would spin freely as a theft prevention. I removed the cap and now can tighten them by hand which I prefer.
It sounds like you have that feature on yours.
Leon
It sounds like you have that feature on yours.
Leon
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: WA
Hello Ironcobra. I also have the TST system like Leon but I have the flow through sensors (I had the non flow through sensors with the TST 510 system). Both systems work/worked great and I have never lost signal nor experienced any leakage after sensor install. Are you saying your valve stems are turning at the base where it enters the wheel? If so, I have never experienced that. My non flow through sensors would spin on the valve stem even after they were tightened down with the provided wrench, but the valve stem itself would not spin at all. The 507 system I have now has a little hex head screw that locks it down to the valve stem after install and nothing spins at all. -Glenn
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
Likes: 1,247
From: Western MA
Justin, I have the TST system too. You need to get your valve stems swapped out for solid metal bolt in stems. This will allow you to tighten them correctly and will also prevent them from flexing the rubber stem as they spin eventually causing it to fail. NAPA has them for $5 a pair or less. DO NOT GET THE ONES FROM AMAZON.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: WA
Good point Rodney. I should have asked about the metal stems with the bolt lockdowns. I guess I just assumed that with the higher pressure trailer tires that is what he had, but now I remember that some companies skimp a bit and use the rubber valve stems without the lock down. I am still a bit confused as to how even a rubber one would spin inside the wheel with pressure in the tire unless he is attempting to really wrench the sensors on the stems. -Glenn
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
I used the self leveling jacks to lift my trailer a couple weeks back and took the tires down to the local trailer shop to get full metal stems.. $40 installed..
TST's are back on ready to go 1st week of August.
TST's are back on ready to go 1st week of August.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 119
From: Tallassee, ALabama
It is not uncommon for the rubber valve stem to rotate when attaching the sensors like the one TireMinder system uses. On the old travel trailer they would rotate. I would hold the stem and tighten the sensor. They never lost any air. On trailer i have now, when i used screw in T stems, fully inflated, I could rotate them so i could position the sensors even though the double nuts where on the inside of the tire.
Personally, I would not worry
FYI, Trailer tires, the ST tires, radial or bias ply, should be run at max inflation at all times.
Personally, I would not worry
FYI, Trailer tires, the ST tires, radial or bias ply, should be run at max inflation at all times.
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Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
Yeah, I have the rubber stems. Need to swap them out. I hope when they rotate they arnt breaking the air seal. ill find out when I go out there in an hour.
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Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 1
From: Corpus Christi, TX
What brand do you have? I have the TST brand and you had to use a wrench provided to tighten them onto your valve stem, once tightened the cap would spin freely as a theft prevention. I removed the cap and now can tighten them by hand which I prefer.
It sounds like you have that feature on yours.
Leon
It sounds like you have that feature on yours.
Leon
It does come with two little wrenches that wrap around and give you a little handle to tighten them.
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
Likes: 1,247
From: Western MA
Actually, it is recommended that you replace rubber stems when running screw on TPMS sensors. The additional centrifugal force will make rubber stems fail over time.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 119
From: Tallassee, ALabama
Rodney, I suspect if the valve stems are over one inch or inch and quarter, it would be a good idea.....
per TireMinder
Even though steel valve stems are preferred, due to their light weight, TireMinder® transmitters maybe used on wheels equipped with rubber valve stems.
per TireMinder
Even though steel valve stems are preferred, due to their light weight, TireMinder® transmitters maybe used on wheels equipped with rubber valve stems.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
I have been using the TST system since 2008. I installed stainless steel stems on both 5th wheels. I have never had any trouble with them at all. I remove the sensors after every trip to help with battery life. For the cost, the stainless steel valve stems are the way to go.
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
Likes: 1,247
From: Western MA
I have been using the TST system since 2008. I installed stainless steel stems on both 5th wheels. I have never had any trouble with them at all. I remove the sensors after every trip to help with battery life. For the cost, the stainless steel valve stems are the way to go.
The TST sensors go to sleep when not in use so no worry about battery life...