Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 01-01-2021, 06:06 PM   #1
Bronze Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: AR
Posts: 40
Default Aftermarket TPMS

Has anyone had good results with an aftermarket TPMS system? They have special screw-on valve stems that communicate wirelessly with a device near the dashboard.

I have seen these on Amazon and wonder if they are useful and/or accurate.

Happy New Year everyone.

HorseshoeCat
Horseshoecat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2021, 07:24 PM   #2
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: PHX, AZ
Posts: 2,648
Default

$35 works just fine

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1






mike
mkguitar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 03:55 PM   #3
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 102
Default

I have TST and have been happy with it. Does up to 22 tires. More expensive than the Amazon listing above.
Roadtreker357 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:03 PM   #4
Silver Member
 
Nspekter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Illinois
Posts: 54
Default

I chose an internal system by Tuson. It was less expensive than some and they’re an OEM supplier so I expect the long term reliability to be good. The pressure and temperature ranges are not user adjustable which is a feature I would like to have.
Nspekter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:14 PM   #5
Silver Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 55
Default

Hi! I own a tire and auto repair store in Maryland and have a 21' Chinook...and l installed the in-wheel Dill system. More expensive but accurate and reliable...plus you don't even have to worry about the damaging the stems...they are regular looking TPM sensors. I don't know how to attach a file, but there are different part numbers depending on the number of sensors =, ie, 1502 for 2, 1504 for 4, etc. They also come in different diameters depending on the size of the opening for the valve.

I've seen too many after market sensors break off.

Good luck
terance13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:19 PM   #6
Bronze Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 35
Default

You betcha, worth every penny. The constant monitering of tire status is priceless. The installation can be tedious because if valve stem issues but once functioning, well worth the price and effort.
604eholston@charter.net is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:21 PM   #7
Bronze Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Florida
Posts: 37
Default

Bought this in July 2020:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This model comes with four monitors, but can monitor six tires plus a spare (7 total). I especially like the ability to set different PSI/temp alarm levels for the front tires and the rear tires. Programming the unit is kind of tough, but if I figured it out , you can to.
__________________
1999 Roadtrek Popular 190
Dodge 3500 chassis
RedPanEd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:26 PM   #8
Bronze Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: WA
Posts: 30
Default

TPMS:
I bought the Invtek Solar Power RV TPMS Tire Pressure Monitoring System. I wanted one that sits on dash, did not require a cord to power, and had solar battery recharger. $129 Amazon link https://www.amazon.com/Invtek-Pressu...862357&sr=8-21
They work perfectly. The air pressures are displayed on the screen once the wheels do about a full turn, waking up the sensors.

Valve extenders, Steel:
I would not recommend that you use aftermarket TPMS sensors on OEM rubber valve stems. While the sensors do not weigh much, the centrifugal force generated on the valve stem when the wheel is spinning can tear the rubber valve stem. You should replace the rubber stem with a steel one. If your van has dually rear wheels, all the more reason to move to steel stems of extended length, so you can easily adjust tire pressure.
Here is what I purchased:
For solid metal tube extenders, check out YourTireShopSupplies. https://yourtireshopsupply.com/categ...sprinter-class . NOTE: as of 1/10/21, this link does seem to work. Their site might be down temporarily. If you cannot get to their web site, give them a call. I spoke to Kelli in Customer service. She was very knowledgeable and helpful. (81 352-8717 (800) 300-2674 Fax: (81 352-8119.


Email: support@yourtireshopsupply.comsuppor...op supply.com
Hours: 8:30am - 4:45pm PST M-F
DaveWA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:30 PM   #9
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 2
Default

I bought this a couple of years ago. Saves a lot of aggravation constantly checking tire pressure. Easy to change batteries. I would only use with metal valve stems.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
jspringator is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 05:12 PM   #10
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: VA
Posts: 991
Default

TST has worked nicely for me. I have a 6 sensor system and use 1 sensor for airbag pressure.
peteco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 05:18 PM   #11
Gold Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: IN
Posts: 88
Default

I prefer a RPM's system that's inside the tires. Less chance of getting stolen and less chance of leaks
Brad1998RD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 05:58 PM   #12
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Oregon, Washington, Arizona and California
Posts: 245
Default

Get one with a solid recommendation OR get one from Amazon, and expect to send it back.

I've had good experience and bad experience with two TPMS units so far. I bought a four tire no-name TPMS from... somewhere (ebay or Amazon) and had to go through a few minor glitches to make it work. Once it started communicating and was set up properly, it works fine.. I think. Problem is, you don't know how accurate they are or how long it will stay that way, and how much air the sensors leak, which is a problem with many retrofit units.

The other TPMS was a mid-priced six-tire unit from Slamazon (sic - that's Ave-speak from YouTube)... and ended up sending it back. It would not communicate with the sensors, and the "manual" was all in broken, barely intelligible pig-English. China has plenty of competent bilingual English/Mandarin speakers, but for some odd reason they don't use them. So the instructions were of no value, it didn't set up properly, and it went back.

So spend the money and get one that is going to work, so you don't have to work through all the engineering and documentation mistakes the low cost no-name Chinesium units have.

Or use Amazon's generous return policy until you find a good one. And let us know what that is!
Nic7320 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2021, 08:37 PM   #13
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: MI
Posts: 109
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Horseshoecat View Post
Has anyone had good results with an aftermarket TPMS system? They have special screw-on valve stems that communicate wirelessly with a device near the dashboard.

I have seen these on Amazon and wonder if they are useful and/or accurate.

Happy New Year everyone.

HorseshoeCat
Hi, I bought the VeSafe TPMS system several years ago. It works well, with a couple of caveats. These systems keep the Schrader valve depressed constantly and so need to seal around the threaded lip of the valve stem. This requires that the O-rings remain intact or you'll be in big trouble. This happened to me once. I think it was because one of the caps was overtightened, resulting in the O-ring being destroyed. I was picking pieces of rubber out of the Schrader valve with a dental pick.

Since the valve is not made to be depressed constantly, it might also be that these will lead to spring fatigue that might prevent the valve from sealing without the sender screwed on, but that is just speculation.

I use them on my RV, but take care not to over-tighten. Also, I purchased a bag of valve stem caps that have washers in them, so that I always have a spare o-ring. Ideally, I think it's better to have proper TPMS sensors installed inside the tire, but I'll use these until I need to replace the current set of tires.
__________________
-Mike
2016 Pleasure-Way Lexor TS
reilym is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2021, 10:43 PM   #14
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: League City, TX
Posts: 1,168
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by terance13 View Post
Hi! I own a tire and auto repair store in Maryland and have a 21' Chinook...and l installed the in-wheel Dill system. More expensive but accurate and reliable...plus you don't even have to worry about the damaging the stems...they are regular looking TPM sensors. I don't know how to attach a file, but there are different part numbers depending on the number of sensors =, ie, 1502 for 2, 1504 for 4, etc. They also come in different diameters depending on the size of the opening for the valve.

I've seen too many after market sensors break off.

Good luck
Terance could you talk a bit more about this please?

GeorgeRa also stated on another thread that he used the Dill brand, but when I go to their website, I am not able to identify a product that can be retrofit to my 2006 Sprinter 2500, which as an upfit Class B is near GVWR of 8,550 pounds, and which will probably be fitted with eurometric Type-C tires, which in turn will be around 90 psi.

Most of the TPMS retrofits on the market seem to be geared toward lower-pressure tires. Passenger cars, in other words.

Also, I am looking for a model with an in-wheel sensor. The other kind just doesn't sit well with me.

Thanks.
InterBlog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 08:47 PM   #15
Platinum Member
 
GeorgeRa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 3,141
Default

You could consider getting a Schrader monitor and substitute sensors with metal body ones like Dill or Schrader, assuming that monitor can be programed for different IDs.

I think the difference between TPMS sensors for truck application is metal stem, but I could be wrong. This kit can be ordered with metal stems.

https://www.tpms.com/Schrader-TPMS-R...p/schrfk4s.htm
GeorgeRa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2021, 01:28 PM   #16
Silver Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 55
Default

The Dill system goes up to 144psi
terance13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2021, 01:05 PM   #17
Platinum Member
 
engnrsrule's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: VA
Posts: 320
Default TPMS is a must have

I bought the one mkguitar recommended (see link) about 6 months ago and it works fine. In fact it may have helped avert disaster on a recent trip.

My RT calls for 80 psi rear and 55 psi front. Because of the TPMS I started noticing an increasing difference between the pressure in the rear tires. The TPMS revealed the problem long before it became visibly apparent or evident in the ride or response.

Interrupted our trip to put a pair of new tires on the back. This led to another oft overlooked but important point. I knew my spare tire was holding pressure and had lots of tread, but thought it looked old, so since I was changing 2 tires off the rear, one of which was still in pretty good shape and only 3 years old, I had them move that one to the spare. Turns out the spare was over 15 years old.

Here is the link. The display is solar powered. Cheap insurance.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D73RJZ4/
engnrsrule is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2021, 03:19 PM   #18
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: PHX, AZ
Posts: 2,648
Default

I'm still happy with mine after about 18,000 miles



I have my alarms sets for a sudden loss of pressure- worried about tire damage from hitting road debris- it happens


I also watch the temps which could indicate a caliper rubbing or a bad bearing


interesting that I often see 10 or 20º higher temps on the sunny side of the van


Mike
mkguitar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2021, 11:50 AM   #19
New Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Bushnell, FL
Posts: 1
Default

I'm late on this reply, but FWIW we've been happy with the Doran 360rv on our bumper pull RV. Screw-on sensors like you originally asked about that do pressure and temperature. We just finished a 1000 mile towing trip and the readout in the truck worked perfectly the whole time with 4 year old sensor batteries.

Hope this helps.
BuckySS20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2021, 01:53 PM   #20
Site Team
 
avanti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,321
Default

TST is robust and reliable. I cannot say whether they are the best value, but they are a safe choice.

Just be very sure that if you use stem-mounted sensors, you get 100% metal stems installed. Trust me on this one.
__________________
Now: 2022 Fully-custom buildout (Ford Transit EcoBoost AWD)
Formerly: 2005 Airstream Interstate (Sprinter 2500 T1N)
2014 Great West Vans Legend SE (Sprinter 3500 NCV3 I4)
avanti is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
tpms

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT. The time now is 09:27 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.