Valve Stem Extenders or not

[Bluecube]

2024 Chevy 3500 DRW with steel wheels and the stock chromed plastic wheel simulators. Checking the air pressure in the rear tires is a pain. I'm currently using a dual head air chuck and separate dual head gauge. The stock set up on the wheels have plastic 1 inch extenders. I found it easier if the outer extenders were removed. But the inners are still a pain with or without them.

I've seen braided long extenders that are held in place by a bracket that is secured under a lug nut. But then the center cap may not fit in place. Also looks like there are several lengths of rigid extenders that may work for the inners if the angle is correct. In other words the mounted valve stem appears to be at an angle where a straight longer extender might not work.

Anyone have something they are using for the inners that is working better than the stock set up?

It's possible the stock set up may be the best even though its a pain.

Thanks in advance!

 

[chuckster57]

I have used braided valve stem extenders since 2008, when I bought my dually. Don’t remember the brand, but it sure makes it easy with the simulators.

 

[Bluecube]

I have used braided valve stem extenders since 2008, when I bought my dually. Don’t remember the brand, but it sure makes it easy with the simulators.

Are the ones that get secured by a bracket under a lug nut? Thanks!

 

[chuckster57]

Mine were like the tire minder brand. “Wings” that hooked on the open spaces.

 

[JRTJH]

Are the ones that get secured by a bracket under a lug nut? Thanks!

I would be very leery of any device that secures to the wheel with a bracket under the lug nut. If the lugs are angled, a flat bracket won't grip properly. If the lugs are flat, the quality of the steel and the amount of surface "under the lug nut" is what grips the wheel. If the steel in the bracket is a lower quality than the wheel and the lug nut, then it may not provide the "ability to maintain torque" properly. If the bracket only grips a portion of the surface area of the lug nut (where it contacts the wheel surface) then you lose a percentage of the ability to maintain torque.

This is "sort of like" putting styrofoam "locking devices" on the cable end adjustment nuts on a cable slide... A "weaker locking device" won't secure a "stronger adjustable device" as tightly as possible... That leads to the potential for nuts to loosen or for cables to get out of adjustment....

I'd want valve stem extensions that do not require the lug nuts to be loosened to install them.

The valve stem extensions that have a spring clip that pushes onto the wheel opening are completely isolated from the lug nuts....

 

[Bluecube]

Mine were like the tire minder brand. “Wings” that hooked on the open spaces.

I have a Tire Minder i10 TPMS and I like it a lot. Plus they seem to have stellar customer support. I definitely look into those. Thanks!

 

[fjr vfr]

Check these guys out. They seem to have a good supply of different valve stems. I used them before for replacing my rubber core stems with solid stems. Good prices too.

https://yourtireshopsupply.com/

 

[MGVenne]

https://www.linkmfg.com/products/specialty-products/cats-eye

I have used these for over 1 million miles on my semi trucks and my personal DW and never had a problem.