Rubber or Metal Stems for New GY Endurance

[srvnt]

Ordered a set of 4 of the new Goodyear Endurance 205/75/14 from America's Tire (LR-D, 65 psi max). 70 dollar rebate too. 5 to 7 days to ship to my local AT, coming from the Goodyear plant in Texas. Should have a new manufacturing date. Made in USA (so I'm told, nothing on their website). I'm going to have them balanced and also new stems installed (on aluminum rims). AT guy says rubber stems are best and that metal stems may come loose/rust, first I've heard of that. So what's best/safest?

[66joej]

Brass stems seem to be the most popular.

[JRTJH]

Load Range D (65PSI) will do OK with rubber valve stems unless you're planning to use "stem mounted sensors" with a TPMS. If so, you need metal valve stems...

The problem with some aluminum wheels is that most of the automotive and light truck steel valve stems won't work. Apparently the nut works loose and they start leaking. I have been told that there's one style of metal stem that is used on some Ford trucks that will work and is reliable. It's discussed in an old thread on the forum about 2 years ago. You might want to do a search or the OP (if still active on the forum) might remember and give you some advice.

But, with 65 PSI and without a TPMS, there's no significant downside to rubber valve stems and no significant upside to steel ones.....

[CWtheMan]

Here's a place to do some researching. Just click on the item you want to read about.

https://www.google.com/search?q=steel+valve+stem+pix&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjm9YDf6afSAhUp7oMKHdpuCFMQsAQIGw&biw=1280&bih=629

[Cbrez]

Metal stems. If you don't already have TPMS, you probably will sooner or later. The metal stems will last as long as your tires.

[Ken / Claudia]

Metal stems was done the first week I owned this trailer. And last 2 sets of wheels on the F350. At 6 bucks each why not. Maybe I am the only one who had not 1 but, 2 rubber stems cause blow outs. Those stems were around 2 years old. Have had the metal ones on the truck wheels now at 5 years. No leaking, no rust. I air up and down many times a year.

[slow]

..................The problem with some aluminum wheels is that most of the automotive and light truck steel valve stems won't work. Apparently the nut works loose and they start leaking. I have been told that there's one style of metal stem that is used on some Ford trucks that will work and is reliable. It's discussed in an old thread on the forum about 2 years ago. You might want to do a search or the OP (if still active on the forum) might remember and give you some advice......

These are the Ford metal stems I installed on my aluminum wheels and I am very happy with them.
http://yourtireshopsupply.com/product/512/n1600-ford-series-truck-valve-han1600

Post #15 in this thread describes why I like them:
http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=200979&highlight=ford+valve+stem#post200979

[srvnt]

Thanks for the info guys. I think I'll stick with rubber stems with chrome sleeves (for aesthetics). I don't plan on running tire sensors, although I would if i knew for sure they wouldn't leak. I guess if they did leak I would at least know it through the sensors.

[slow]

I should have mentioned that I now have 20,000+ miles using the Ford metal stems I provided the link for with no leaks. Their quality far exceeds rubber or other metal valve stems. At $2.70 each, there is no reason not to install them.

To put it in perspective, there is a reason why they are used on dualies or with Alcoa wheels by Ford. They are better than rubber or other metal because they seat metal to metal when installed and the grommet seal is thereby compressed to a controlled dimension. The stem cannot rock like every other valve stem can.

After an appropriate TV, TPMS on the trailer wheels is the next best way to make trailering stress free. Otherwise you just keep replaying all the China bomb posts from this forum in your mind as the DW expects you to be listening to her as you are driving. [emoji2]

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[busterbrown]

I should have mentioned that I now have 20,000+ miles using the Ford metal stems I provided the link for with no leaks. Their quality far exceeds rubber or other metal valve stems. At $2.70 each, there is no reason not to install them.


I just ordered them myself as the Discount Tire store near me had high pressure rubber stems and some steel ones that still had a rubber boot at the bottom. As I shopped for metal valve stems online, I found many that aren't compatible with aluminum wheels, just steel wheels. I hope these Ford ones are.

[slow]

.........I hope these Ford ones are.


I use the Ford N-1600 metal valve stems on my 15 inch Sendel T03 aluminum TT wheels as do a number of other forum members.
http://sendelwheel.com/wheels/aluminium-trailer-wheels.html



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[busterbrown]

I use the Ford N-1600 metal valve stems on my 15 inch Sendel T03 aluminum TT wheels as do a number of other forum members.
http://sendelwheel.com/wheels/aluminium-trailer-wheels.html


That's good to know. The wheels (http://recstuff.com/trailer-wheels/aluminum-trailer-wheels/15x6-5-bolt-on-4-5-aluminum-s5-trailer-wheel-black/) I bought are a clone of those T03's, just a higher load rated wheel.

[srvnt]

Okay, rethinkin adding the TPMS for the trailer, so having a reliable steel stem is priority. Leaning towards the Ford stem, thanks Busterbrown for the info. Just hate having another accessory on my dash like a monitor just for this. I wish my LTZ would interface with this.

[slow]

........thanks Busterbrown for the info.........


No problem, lol[emoji851]

BTW: check out ProClip for a mount. That is what I used with double sided tape for a clean install of the monitor.



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[busterbrown]

Okay, rethinkin adding the TPMS for the trailer, so having a reliable steel stem is priority. Leaning towards the Ford stem, thanks Busterbrown for the info. Just hate having another accessory on my dash like a monitor just for this. I wish my LTZ would interface with this.

TPMS systems provide security and peace of mind. Knowing real time temps and pressures of your trailer tires at expressway speeds can help mitigate a catastrophic failure.

My take is this: $300 invested (Tireminder,EEZtire,TST...pick your brand) and maybe 30 minutes of tire-changing inconvenience on the side of the road.

OR, a $500 deductible for $3,000 worth of damage, the claims process (argggh), and the long road to "in-season, vacation-destroying" repair (maybe a month or so). Can't wait for my Ford stems! :D

[busterbrown]

No problem, lol[emoji851]
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Now now, who doesn't like a undeserved bone once in a while! :whistling: I just wonder how many Keystone owners will purchase the Ford stems after reading about your success with them. All I say is buy them before they're back ordered.

[slow]

Now now, who doesn't like a undeserved bone once in a while! :whistling: .......


All in good fun, lol.

Just to clarify, the Ford N-1600 stems work well on the Sendel aluminum rims. But stick out to far in the steel spare so I used another similar metal valve (no sensor mounted) but I cannot remember which specific one I used. It too has held pressure well over the same period but the spare has never seen pavement.

What I do recall is that it seals on the inside of the steel wheel like the Ford metal valve stem, but it uses a nut on the outside because of the shorter stem.

I will have to dig through my multiple online purchases to find out the source. For now I am taking in all the wonderful views Lake Tahoe has to offer. I will post what I find in a week or so.



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[busterbrown]

All in good fun, lol.

Just to clarify, the Ford N-1600 stems work well on the Sendel aluminum rims. But stick out to far in the steel spare so I used another similar metal valve (no sensor mounted) but I cannot remember which specific one I used. It too has held pressure well over the same period but the spare has never seen pavement.

I just ordered 4 stems for the new aluminum wheels. I did buy a new steel wheel for my spare. I have 4 high pressure stems laying around and will use one of those for the spare. What size tires are you running and what do you run your pressures at? Just curious.

[bsmith0404]

Just a thought for your dually owners, you can use the RV TPMS for your truck too. I run sensors on all 10 wheels, TV and 5er. It is a good piece of mind.

As for not running a TPMS for the RV, I'll never be without one. See this thread to understand why.

http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25634&highlight=saved

[slow]

.......What size tires are you running and what do you run your pressures at? Just curious.


I will be replacing my Trail King 15 inch Ds run at 65 psi with either Maxxis Es or Ds this spring. Still trying to decide.

Ds have more than enough capacity for my loaded 5600 lb trailer. But may try the Es and run them at about 70 psi for better wear pattern. Current Ds wore more on outside and inside than center in all positions.



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[srvnt]

[QUOTE=slow;225653]No problem, lol[emoji851]




LOL! Thanks Slow!