Tpms

[Rber1234]

Just curious what brand or make does everyone one use for their TPMS. Seems all the cheaper models aren’t for TT’s and you need to spend $200 or more to get one that will work.

[travelin texans]

Just curious what brand or make does everyone one use for their TPMS. Seems all the cheaper models aren’t for TT’s and you need to spend $200 or more to get one that will work.

TST507, works great, no booster needed & user replaceable batteries.
You can buy cheaper, but you know the saying, "you get what you pay for"!

[FlyingAroundRV]

TST507, works great, no booster needed & user replaceable batteries.
You can buy cheaper, but you know the saying, "you get what you pay for"!
Second that. Ours came with a booster, but we haven't needed it. We have an Outback 272UFL which is about 30' overall but the receiver seems to pick up the sensors just fine.

[xrated]

I bought and have been using the TireMinder Smart TPMS system for the past two years. I recently bought a different Toy Hauler and two more sensors, since the new one is a triple axle and I now will monitor 6 tires instead of 4. No worries though, the TireMinder will monitor up to 22 transmitters. The big advantage for me is that the Smart TPMS does not have a dedicated monitor for putting on the dash/windshield of your truck....you use a phone app. The booster is mounted on the front of the trailer, and the Bluetooth adapter is suction cup mounted in the rear window of the truck and can either run on rechargeable lithium batteries, or plugged into a USB port. The B.T. adaptor also has a beeping alert built into it, just in case you want to open your phone app for monitoring, but let the phone go into sleep mode....you will still an alert. If you do, just wake up the phone and look to see what is going on. Lot's of good ones out there, it's just of matter of preference sometimes.

[Retired Copper]

TST 507 works great and great customer service. I had a problem setting it up the first time, my fault, called the 800 number and they called right back and walked me through my setup mistake.

[the sodfather]

The TST 507 works great for me. If I were buying again, I’d buy the same thing. I did get the flow-through sensors...I’d save a few bucks and just get the caps...

[travelin texans]

The TST 507 works great for me. If I were buying again, I’d buy the same thing. I did get the flow-through sensors...I’d save a few bucks and just get the caps...

With a dually truck the flo-thru sensors don't fit well on the rears, so save $$ & get the caps.

[daveinaz]

Went with the Bellacorp sensors -- 10 pack. Came preprogrammed for our dually and 5er. I haven't put many miles on with it yet, but so far so good -- it sends the signal from our 40' 3400RL up to our Ram 3500 just fine. I didn't need all the extras that TST comes with such as being able to program multiple trailers. I just need the one and this does that. Plus I like how when you aren't pulling the trailer, it's just a push of a button (well, two buttons -- hold one and push the other) to link/unlink the trailer from the monitor.

[busterbrown]

Eez RV TPMS has worked great for us for the last 3 seasons. Alerted us last year of a low pressure event on the rear drivers side trailer tire. By the time I stopped on the interstate, pressure had dropped to about 45 PSI...down from 80. 15 minute reset with the spare and we were on our way. Picked up a screw in the middle of the tread.

[Rber1234]

Thanks to all responding on the TPMS systems they use. After researching systems listed I decided to go with the TST-507 with color display. Again thanks to all for your help.

[FlyingAroundRV]

Thanks to all responding on the TPMS systems they use. After researching systems listed I decided to go with the TST-507 with color display. Again thanks to all for your help.
Good choice IMO. Having the separate display that is on all the time gives me peace of mind that I haven't missed an alert because my phone has gone dead (which it does when I forget to charge it!:o) Also, the DW has the job of tire minder-minder while she knits bunnies for charity ... and navigates, and feeds me, and ...

[CWtheMan]

This is about the reason I hardly ever comment on TPMS for RV trailers.

What is the correct cold tire inflation pressure for your OEM tires?

What is the maximum permissible inflation pressure – found on the tire sidewall - for your OEM tires?

If both are the same, where do you set the low pressure warning alarm?

If you’re setting a low pressure warning alarm below the recommended cold inflation pressure in the above situation you’re actually accepting an under inflation condition for your tires that could cause early failures.

It’s probably the primary reason your trailer didn’t come equipped with TPMS.

RV trailer tires, even though governed by the same FMVSS (standards), differ in minimum load capacity requirements. Automotive tires all have load capacity reserves. The factory TPMS low pressure warnings are set at a PSI value above where a tire overload would start. There is no such load capacity reserves with RV trailer tires unless the trailer manufacturer has provided them. In the past, very few have done so and recommended cold inflation pressures for vehicles with no, or very little load capacity reserves are critical.

[MarkEHansen]

As far as the low pressure alarm, I want to know when my tire is losing air. The TPMS I'm using (EezTire TPMS) will detect a decrease in pressure and notify me. I also set the lower pressure alarm as recommended by the TPMS manufacture, but I check the pressure before I go on a trip and watch them along the way - so really the one alarm is enough.

As for the high pressure alarm, I also set it according to the TPMS manufacturer's recommendation.

I don't see this as a problem, so I think I'm missing your point.

[CWtheMan]

As far as the low pressure alarm, I want to know when my tire is losing air. The TPMS I'm using (EezTire TPMS) will detect a decrease in pressure and notify me. I also set the lower pressure alarm as recommended by the TPMS manufacture, but I check the pressure before I go on a trip and watch them along the way - so really the one alarm is enough.

As for the high pressure alarm, I also set it according to the TPMS manufacturer's recommendation.

I don't see this as a problem, so I think I'm missing your point. RV trailers are notorious for having unequal axle weights. The most damaging imbalance condition is when one wheel position is heavy to the point of overloading the tire. It cannot afford to lose even a few pounds of inflation pressure. Thus, vehicle manufacturer maximum cold inflation pressures recommendations, ALL the time.

Is your TPMS manufacturer's recommendations for automotive industry vehicles? Do they mention usage for RV trailers? As I mentioned earlier, RV trailer tires have different load capacity standards.

[MarkEHansen]

Yes, they say their TPMS supports RVs.

[CWtheMan]

Now maybe some can see why I avoid TPMS topics when being used with RV trailer tire fitments. Inflation pressures are and always will be critical for RV trailers. It's not just the ST tires. It's all tire designs used on RV trailers.

[ChuckS]

TPMS systems are a good item if you can afford one. Set low alarm 5 to 10 psi below cold max inflation pressure on the tire. Set high pressure as recommend by TST or other makers.

Keep in mind the side that is getting the sun will always be about 10 degrees higher and inflation will be higher than side in the shade.

Been running TST in my fifth wheel going on six seasons now and I would not be without it.

An infrared gun is nice also but tells me nothing about temps and pressures while rolling down the road.

RV manufactures don’t install them because they are too cheap. YMMV

[sourdough]

TPMS systems are a good item if you can afford one. Set low alarm 5 to 10 psi below cold max inflation pressure on the tire. Set high pressure as recommend by TST or other makers.

Keep in mind the side that is getting the sun will always be about 10 degrees higher and inflation will be higher than side in the shade.

Been running TST in my fifth wheel going on six seasons now and I would not be without it.

An infrared gun is nice also but tells me nothing about temps and pressures while rolling down the road.

RV manufactures don’t install them because they are too cheap. YMMV


I totally agree with your assessment. Before we left on our way coming home I got out the compressor and just grabbed "a" pressure gauge out of my glove box. I had to replace a bad (stuck) schrader valve and lost some air. Ran the tire up to 80 psi and put on the tpms sensonrs. Turned the tpms receiver on and let it sync. When all the sensors were in it immediately alarmed and I found that the tire I had just aired up only had 73 psi. Upon reflection, I remembered I was going to throw that gauge away because it wasn't any good and forgot. I would have just driven off thinking I was inflated when I wasn't if not for the alarm. Also learned that being lazy and not getting my good, fancy gauge out from under the back seat could have cost me...lesson learned.

I would have never thought that having the tpms would have given me so much peace of mind because I had towed for decades without one. Now, I'm not worrying about tires leaking air or blowing and me not know. I look at the monitor and it tells me...constantly. Don't leave home without it...or the EMS.:D

[CWtheMan]

TPMS systems are a good item if you can afford one. Set low alarm 5 to 10 psi below cold max inflation pressure on the tire. Set high pressure as recommend by TST or other makers.

Keep in mind the side that is getting the sun will always be about 10 degrees higher and inflation will be higher than side in the shade. Look at it as cold and colder.

Been running TST in my fifth wheel going on six seasons now and I would not be without it.

An infrared gun is nice also but tells me nothing about temps and pressures while rolling down the road.

RV manufactures don’t install them because they are too cheap. You have to look at it from their point of view. How could they, on the one hand, set your recommended cold inflation pressures to tire sidewall pressures and then on the other hand say it's okay to set your TMPS to something lower?

YMMV

Okay, time to do some math. Let’s do your situation first.

I’m using 2018 specs for your trailer. If it was not delivered with the ones I’m using I’ll just call them hypothetical (OK?).

The vehicle certified axles on your trailer should be 3000# GAWR ea. The OEM tires should have been ST205/75R14 LRC rated at 1760# at a cold inflation pressure of 50 PSI. They are a tad over the RVIA recommendation for 10% excessive load capacity reserves. At 40 PSI, the low TPMS warning signal setting, they would be providing 1530# of load capacity. That is just 30# above the GAWR axle’s minimum requirement. Also at 40 PSI another tire industry warning takes place. “Any tire found 20 % below vehicle manufacturer’s cold inflation pressure recommendations is considered to be in a RUN FLAT condition”

Now let’s go back a few years and look as the way almost all RV trailer builders have selected their OEM tires in the past. I’m using another Keystone product here. It’s the 2012 Bullet 284RLS. It came with 2 3500@ GAWR axles fitted with ST205/75R14 LRC tires. They provided a total of 20# of load capacity reserves per axle at the maximum permissible inflation pressure. I hope you can see the problem involved in setting a low pressure warning on any TPMS for tires that do not have load capacity reserves.

The reserves for RV trailer tires fitted to RV trailers has not changed, it’s still in the regulations and can be set that way by the trailer builder if or when they deem it appropriate.

Tire inflation pressures for RV trailer tires are critical. Please don’t use your TPMS (systems) for low inflation pressure warnings. Inflate to cold recommended inflation pressures every time you move the trailer.

[MarkEHansen]

You can set your low pressure warning to any value you want (speaking of the EezTire TPMS I have), so you can get whatever works for you. I don't use the TPMS only for the low pressure alarm. I can also see the pressures/temperatures as I go down the road.

My TPMS also alarms when it notices a loss of pressure (as in slow or not so slow leak).

If all you're saying is you don't like the low pressure alarm, then don't use it. My system suits me just fine.

Thanks,

[dsttexas]

Not sure what batteries are used in the sensors but curious about their lifespan, whether the monitor tells you status, and ease of changing them.

[MarkEHansen]

This is going to depend on the specific system and/or sensor.

I use the EezTire TPMS system. The batteries in the sensor are very easy to change. I don't think there is a warning on the display when they are getting low, but you will see problems with the display linking to the sensors.

I plan to change all the batteries out at some point here (since the system is fairly new to me) and then change them on a scheduled basis.

[daveinaz]

Not sure what batteries are used in the sensors but curious about their lifespan, whether the monitor tells you status, and ease of changing them.

Unless they're internal sensors, they are all pretty easy to change. As to when it's time to replace it, they usually just quit communicating with the monitor and then you know. Mine uses the CR2032 batteries, as do some others. It's just a matter of screwing off the top of the cap, putting in a new battery, and resyncing it to the monitor.

[FlyingAroundRV]

We have the flow through sensors. They also use the 2032 battery but changing them is a little more challenging than the cap type. The battery covers on the flo thrus are held on with really tiny screws which were very tight. Also, they had an almost microscopic O ring for a seal.
When we put the rig in storage, I took the batteries out of everything including the tire sensors. I'm hoping the sensors will go back together reliably and not leak water. They're a bit fiddly, but it's worth the peace of mind they give me.
Like others, I also have a thermal gun and I shoot the tires and brakes when we stop.

[Tireman9]

Not sure what batteries are used in the sensors but curious about their lifespan, whether the monitor tells you status, and ease of changing them.


Most external TPM sensors use "watch" style batteries like CR1632 or CR2032 available at many Box drug stores and grocery stores.
My experience has given me 1 to 2 years of use. But When I winterize and park the RV for months at a time I pull the sensor which both saves the battery and protects the sensor from freezing.


If the battery gets low your monitor will sens a signal indicating lost signal (different systems have different symbols ) but to my knowledge, all aftermarket systems have this warning. One alternative is to simply carry a couple of extra batteries and swap them out at the nest rest or fuel stop or just replace the batteries once a year. After a few years of use, you will learn your system normal life.


Changing is a one or two-minute process at most.

[Tireman9]

General comment on TPMS on trailers.


I do not understand why anyone interested in improved safety would oppose or suggest that TPMS are not a good idea.


Most good systems allow you to adjust the settings so your low-pressure warning will alert you at whatever pressure you to want. If you want to have 65 or 80 psi or whatever you should be able to adjust the low pressure to that level or maybe 64 or 79. You can quickly learn the high-pressure alert is something like + 25% over your cold set pressure. A good system should also allow you to adjust for that warning.


Some systems have "Early Warning" which alert as soon as you lose a few psi from the hot running pressure so you get a bit of advance warning before the pressure drops below your set pressure. Depending on the size of the leak this might even give you time to exit the Interstate.


I have covered how I suggest TPM be set in a post on my blog.


Why don't RV MFG provide a system? For the same reason, they don't provide tires with +25% Reserve load. It costs some money.