Dually Inner Wheel Question

[brunsje]

Folks,

 

What are your thoughts on adding an extension onto the inner valve stem?

 

The negative is an increased risk of air leakage.

 

The positives it makes installing a TPMS and also checking the air pressure easier.

 

Thanks, JohnnyB

[Mark and Dale Bruss]

Depending on the TPMS. The PressurePro sensor, which several of the other sensors are like if not the same, a 1" PVC couplet on the end of a 12" piece of 1" PVC pipe makes a tool to easily remove/install the sensor on the valve stem.

[sclord2002]

Not exactly answering your question, but I added crossfires and love them. I got the ones with 3 schrader valves....2 for TPMS and one for airing up BOTH dual tires at the same time. Charlie

[Chad Heiser]

I have TST flow through sensors. I placed them directly on the inner dual. I then installed a 3" straight extension on the TST sensor. It placed the end of the valve right in the hole of the outer dual wheel in front of it, just about flush with the rim. It makes accessing the valve very easy and I have had no issues with leakage in 6000+ miles since I did it. Obviosly, if you don't have flow through sensors, this would not work.

[CHIEFWAHO]

I am using the Crossfire Equalization System and have been happy with it.

 

And I do run a TPM system too.

 

http://www.dualdynamics.com/products/cross-fire/

 

[Bob A]

They work well and there is no problem using them until your stuck in mud and it goes up between duals, potentially bending them, I use them all the time for inside dual it makes airing them a lot easier

[Big Greg]

Within a year one inside dually valve stem with an extension leaked causing a flat. The metal valve stem was cracked at the wheel. I had a Pressure Pro sensor on the extension. I no longer use extenders and have the sensor on the valve stem. It's not easy to access but is doable. Greg

[SuiteSuccess]

Like Charlie, I use Crossfires with three Schraeder valves like his. Would advise whether using Crossfires or a valve extender get the rubber support that fits in the wheel hole or the vibration will crack it. Will post a link.

http://www.shinyrv.com/store/c29/Valve_Stem_Extension_Stabilizers.html

[billr]

I use 4-5" Stainless solid extensions on the inners. Made the TPMS way easier. Have put them on several others as well.

 

Never had any issues.

 

I use quality ones from a heavy truck supply. No cheapies.

 

I also used the PP with pipe to install on inners. No problem.

 

With TST you can remove the anti theft cap that spins and it works same as PP to install or remove. Just a smaller size.

 

For outer dual I just turn the valve stem 90 degrees. Works great. Easy to fill and get sensors on and off.

 

Total cost two ext $20.

[Big5er]

I got new tires last year at this time. I put my pressure pro sensors right onto the standard valve stem. It wasn't easy getting to the inside tire but wasn't all that hard either. I have added air to them once. I figure that for once every 6 months, I can live without an extension that gives me one more place to leak from.

[Hot Rod]

There should never be a problem with leakage due to the extension itself, it holds no pressure except during use. It simply has a long pin that presses on the actual schraeder valve when the chuck is applied. The only potential issue is the longer assembly is more vulnerable to physical damage.

 

If using tpms I would never consider putting the sensor on the end of the extension, more weight farther out from the stem, more likely to stress the stem and potentially crack as Greg mentioned. The flow through TST system (which we use) would allow you to stack a small extension on top of the sensor, keeping the weight of the sensor closer to the stem. Of course with the sensors, you will only need to access to add air when the system tells you it is low, not daily checks.

 

And of course considering the price of a good tire and a road call, it is crazy not to run some sort of tpms system, not to mention the peace of mind for those of us that are compulsive tire checkers.

[Hewhoknowslittle]

I bought my extensions from a local dealer, they are from Alcoa and come with a rubber stabilizer that fits in the outside wheel, keeps the stem from vibrating and breaking, I did add the TPS sensor to the extension, no problems as of yet.

 

Here is a link the the rubber stabilizer.

 

http://www.alcoa.com/alcoawheels/north_america/en/info_page/accessories_hd_valve_stem_ext_stabilizer.asp

 

Roger

[Jack Mayer]

In my opinion, the best way to do it is to put on the Crossfire system with the three valves. That covers all the bases, and at least on the heavy trucks it works well and does not cause any balance issues. This makes inflation simple, and it monitors the individual tires.

[brunsje]

How do I turn the outer dually stem 180 degrees? Do I loosen the nut about 2 turns, rotate, then retighten 2 turns? I don't want to damage the rubber and cause a leak?

 

JohnnyB

[SuiteSuccess]

How do I turn the outer dually stem 180 degrees? Do I loosen the nut about 2 turns, rotate, then retighten 2 turns? I don't want to damage the rubber and cause a leak?

 

JohnnyB

Yes slightly loosen the outer nut and turn and retighten. Full 180 turn may not be necessary, you need to decide what's comfortable for you. On my 450 I only turned 90 degrees.

[Dennis M]

In my opinion, the best way to do it is to put on the Crossfire system with the three valves. That covers all the bases, and at least on the heavy trucks it works well and does not cause any balance issues. This makes inflation simple, and it monitors the individual tires.

 

 

The Crossfire looks intriguing, but how will it work with Pressure Pros? If you put one PP sensor on the main Schrader Valve you could lose pressure in one of the duals and not see it on the PP panel. Could be a bit pricy since I have three sets of duals. The truck duals aren't a big issues since I can put the PP sensor on the inner dual with no problem. The trailer duals are a bit more problematic. No way to install the sensor on the inner dual, so I use extensions that are anchored on the center of the hub cover, but they are questionable. sometime difficult to increase pressure - not sure why.

[brunsje]

Thanks for all the info.

 

After doing my research, I have reached the following conclusion for my circumstances.

 

The Crossfire was expensive and not as reliable as I desired.

 

Tire stem extensions add more chance of problems as folks have outlined above.

 

I am simply going to place my TPMS Sensors on the original tire stems. This will be a 'Pain', but be the most reliable.

 

JohnnyB

[yycats]

Hope I ordered the right Crossfire. I also have Pressure Pro and elected to just use the one on the filler. My reasoning is that the Crossfire will keep the tires at an equal pressure so one reading is all that is necessary. In case of a blow out it shuts down the bad tire. Again the on reading of the remaining tier. Should receive the Crossfire Thursday.

[yycats]

Trying to find local talent to install Crossfire is not easy.

[SuiteSuccess]

Trying to find local talent to install Crossfire is not easy.

Pretty easy to install yourself. You can use a small crows foot on an extension or make your own tool as sclord2002 did and I copied. Attach the bracket to either a lug nut, axle nut, or as Charlie did a moon wheel cover. Will see if I can post a pic of my Crossfire tool (didn't want any repercussions from saying just tool ) Would recommend the three Schraeders valve crossfires if you get any. Can attach separate TPMS to two outter valves and center still available for filling. Can be bought from Ed Donnelly Enterprises at 800-774-1944. Tell him you are with Escapees HDT forum for best price.

[Jack Mayer]

I was not successful getting the three valve crossfire - even though that is what I ordered. So if ordering that, you really have to followup carefully and CONFIRM that is what they are shipping.

 

With a tire monitor on s single valve you will see about a 10 psi drop if you lose one of the tires. That may not alarm with the single sensor. But with some of the systems it will.....I STRONGLY recommend that you get the three valve version to be sure you get an alarm with loss of air on one tire.

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

I ordered mine from Ed as well. They work great!

[Imurphy907]

In the tire industry crossfire's and extensions were a PITA and the most common source of a leak on a set of tires.

 

Have a tire shop install the proper length valve stem and dont worry about leaks.

[brunsje]

While I was investigating Crossfires, my tire shop stressed to use the highest quality SS or brass tire stems especially on the inner dual position to reduce the chance of a leak.

 

JohnnyB