TPMS

[Shallow Draft]

During a 1800 mile trip from AZ to Alberta I had a trailer tire destroyed. The tire was new and G rated. I checked pressures before I left AZ and all were good. I can only assume that the tire picked up an object and went flat. I did not notice it until the tire was destroyed. You don't have to replace many of these tires to pay for a TPMS. Which in this case I feel would have notified me early enough to save the tire.

 

What is the best system? considerations as to dependability, ability to add sensors , battery life, availability and cost.

 

As always thanks for the advice.

[SuiteSuccess]

I use Truck System Technologies (TST). Have the 510 (long term non-changeable batteries)on my trailer and 507 (replaceable batteries) on truck. Great customer service. If you do order consider going ahead and get repeater for $59 so you don't have drop outs. Very pleased so far.

[alan0043]

Shallow Draft,

 

Take a look in the market place. There is a used unit for sale. It looks like it was posted today. I do not know how old the sensors are. It is a TST 510. It is in the used equipment section. I hope this helps.

 

Al

 

TST -510RV Tire Monitor System

[Shallow Draft]

Good price . sold already.

 

Thanks for the lead . That would have been well worth the price.

[HERO Maker]

It would be great if more people would read your story here and pay attention to the fact that you could pick up something 2 minutes after testing the air in your tires, and without a TPMS, you won't know it until its too late. Yes, loss of pressure alarm would have saved that tire.

 

We use the "other" brand - Pressure Pro - and have had them since 2009. Just ready now to replace most of the sensors, and I'm OK with that.

[Mark and Dale Bruss]

You can be diligent and check the tire pressure before leaving. And then thump the tires every time you stop.

 

But only a TPMS can check your ties while your are moving.

[Shallow Draft]

The other great benefit I see is that even if you still lose the tire there should be time to stop before it totally comes apart and takes out half the trailer wall or floor.

I have 2 friends this year do serious damage to the trailers when they had a tire failure.

[GlennWest]

Didn't Jack loose one even with a TPS

[RickS]

I use the TST 507 system on the trailer with the repeater mounted toward the front of the trailer. The truck has a factory system so I have six sensors for spares that I used on my previous MDT.

[Nuke-E]

Didn't Jack loose one even with a TPS

 

He did. And the Springfields lost one as well without any indication (though it was holding air--tread separation). A TPMS only tells you pressure (sometimes temperature)--not that everything is OK--and only if it's working reliably.

[rickeieio]

We use the "other" brand - Pressure Pro - and have had them since 2009. Just ready now to replace most of the sensors, and I'm OK with that.

 

We use the "other" , other brand, Duran. www.doranmfg.com/aboutus04.htm

 

So far, it's worked well, with no repeater.

 

I chose it because it's a local company, based about 20 miles from me.

[spindrift]

I don't think anything will protect you from a catastrophic failure, but it is a form of additional insurance. On my Redwood Forum there are too many stories of tire failure and the descriptions of destruction that had been done to the side of these RVs are unbelievable.

[billr]

Prior knowledge of press loss and a warn will give you time to get off road and investigate do to hopefully avoid a total loss of tire

 

A tread separation will not be picked up unless the tire deflates

 

A blowout will give immediate warn. So you can stop hopefully to avoid trailer and wheel damage.

 

I had two blowouts in the sidewalls that I saw warn and what tire and I was able to stop and no damage. Tires were intact and only blow out in the sidewall.

 

I would not be without a TPMS

 

Pressure pro and TST are both good quality and great service from companies. I like the ease of setup and portability and temp display of the TST. Also price.

 

For sure need repeater on TST on HDT rigs.

[Shallow Draft]

Thanks to all. Great info and so many choices. I have sent a few emails requesting more info and costs.

Are there any forum members that are dealers for any of the systems?

[Lincoln20]

TST uses GE Circuitry in their monitors and double insulated cap sensors for durability. TST is engineered to keep up with the trucking industry, like 90,000 mile a year rigs, so our RV mileage is nothing for it to keep up with. The TST 507 has user replaceable batteries in the sensors, and the TST 510 has 5 year batteries in the sensors.These systems not only alert you to high and low PSI, but if your tire temp gets above 158 degrees it will alarm you. This would usually be an indication of brakes or bearing locking up. TechnoRV has great installation videos and learning series on these so that you totally understand your system. They are usually priced the lowest too.

 

LJ

[GlennWest]

I am not sold on them yet. I have had two tire failures which both resulted in camper damage. But they were tire separation, never lost air. I replaced the whole set then. No problems after that. With Teton tires were junk when I got it. Changed to XPS Michelin, no more problems.

[Jack Mayer]

Didn't Jack loose one even with a TPS

I DID. And it was because my PressurePro was so flaky that it would drop out for periods of time. During that time I lost the tire. What are the chances? (Well in THIS case 100%) That little adventure cost me $425 for a new tire, and the cost of the TST I switched to I categorize under "peace of mind".

 

There is no 100% guarantee - but a TPMS gives you pretty good odds.

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

Wouldn't be without the TST. It has warned of a bearing failure, and of a slow leak/ nail in 1 tire. I do need a repeater though. Maybe when we get settled next week I'll get one ordered.

[Shallow Draft]

Thanks to all. This site is amazing.

 

I just ordered the TST system. Now waiting for the post office to deliver.

[Brad & Jacolyn]

I have had a tire traker since 2009 and will not be without one. I lost a tire before I got it and the damage was $1200 in the side of the trailer. Since then it has told me about air loss in time to get stopped. The only time it failed me was a catastrophic failure. I actually saw the blow out in the mirror,heard the boom and then the monitor went off.

 

This is an item that is MUCH CHEAPER to just believe us about and buy one than it is to learn for yourself and then go buy one. Just saying.

 

Brad

[Hewhoknowslittle]

I am not sold on them yet. I have had two tire failures which both resulted in camper damage. But they were tire separation, never lost air. I replaced the whole set then. No problems after that. With Teton tires were junk when I got it. Changed to XPS Michelin, no more problems.

Glenn,

Just a short question but how old was your trailer when you had you tire failures on your tires? And do you have any idea of millage on them? And what is the tire size?

 

Not flaming just a question.

 

Roger

[GlennWest]

It was the first camper, a DRV, we bought. They were only 3 years old but I knew nothing about the history on them. First trip and second trip, tire separation. They were Goodyear 16" and they were having problems at the time. Replaced all tires with same new and never a problem after that. Our Teton had Goodyear Marathon on them and soon as I towed it to rv park to tranfer our stuff from DRV a large bulge came on one. Replaced with junk tire and towed it to Discount Tire and had Michelin XPS put on. Never a problem since.

[Jack Mayer]

It is rare to have an issue with an XPS. I also ran them for many years - and they were within 300lbs of their rating. I think I put a total of over 100K on two sets. ON a triple axle that is a little hard on them. I really like the XPS if they meet the weight requirements.

[GlennWest]

It is rare to have an issue with an XPS. I also ran them for many years - and they were within 300lbs of their rating. I think I put a total of over 100K on two sets. ON a triple axle that is a little hard on them. I really like the XPS if they meet the weight requirements.

We are 15kish on axles. Have a heavy pin. Intend to weigh it again soon as I want weights with the Freightliner.

[peety3]

I am not sold on them yet. I have had two tire failures which both resulted in camper damage. But they were tire separation, never lost air. I replaced the whole set then. No problems after that. With Teton tires were junk when I got it. Changed to XPS Michelin, no more problems.

You're entitled to your opinion. Can't just bank on history though.