 |
|
Last Changed 6/3/2008
|
Tire pressure is a concern of all RVers, motorhomes and
fifth-wheels. Improperly inflated tires can overheat and fail.
|
 |
We started using a tire thumper to check tires when we stopped. A thumper is a weighted baton like a nightstick. A thumper does not
tell you the exact air pressure of a tire. What you listen for is a ringing sound that is close to the tire next to it. This is
especially good for checking the dual tires on the rear axle of the truck. With duals tires, one tire can go soft but will not show
because the other tire holds the axle up. The axle is level but the good tire is carrying twice the load. |
click on image to enlarge |
With a thumper, you can quickly check the tires on the truck and trailer for going soft because a soft tire will not have the
same ringing sound.
We stayed a month at Diamond Campground in Woodland Park, Colorado. Jack Mayer and his wife Danielle were workamping at the park.
Jack convinced me to invest in a PressurePro tire monitoring system. Jack’s main point was that a tire monitoring system will constantly
check the tires so we would learn of a problem before a periodic stop.
We had gone through a blow-out on our practice motorhome,
Training Wheels. The left rear tire on the tag axle blew on our way to
Orlando. We were lucky that the blowout did not cause loss of control but it did rip up the wheel well. That blowout was due to a
sidewall failure from a tire being too old. We had replaced the front tires on
Training Wheels because they were showing some
checking. The rear tires looked fine but they were over seven years old. A clear example that it does not matter how good tires look,
at seven years they need to be replaced.
A tire monitoring system would not have prevented the blowout we experienced with
Training Wheels. However, we could appreciate the
value of preventing such events with a tire monitoring system. |
Types of tire monitoring systems.
There are two basic types of tire monitor systems available: those that attach to the valve stem (like PressurePro), and those that
place sensors inside the tire (like SmarTire). There are pros and cons to both
types of systems. The largest negative to the internal system is the difficulty and expense of installation. SmarTire, although
difficult to install, does report internal tire temperatures as well as pressure. If you think you would like this feature,
they are worth checking out.
There are a number a systems on the market that support 12 or more tire positions, and use the valve stem sensor to transmit pressure
information. However, until PressurePro was developed there were significant issues with each of the systems, in my mind, at least.
Some systems require relays on the trailer and truck, since they will only transmit a short distance. Some systems require the tire
transmitters to be custom built for a specific tire pressure. This means you can't move the sensor from the trailer to the truck or in
the case of the truck, front the front to rear wheels. This also means that if you decide to upgrade tires on the trailer from (say)
E rated tires (at 80psi) to G rated tires at 110 psi, a replacement of the transmitters is required. There could even be a requirement
to change tire pressure because the loading of the trailer or truck has changed.
The SmarTire system looked the slickest, because that system monitors tire temperature as well as air pressure. However the
value proposition declined rapidly when I had to consider the dismounting of 12 wheels, dismounting 12 tires, installation of 12
transmitters, remounting of 12 tires, and finally remounting of 12 wheels.
I was also concerned about the possible damage of a transmitter by a tire technician working on a wheel and not being careful. |
PressurePro has the following desirable characteristics:
-
It will monitor up to 34 positions, so it is expandable by
buying additional sensors.
-
The sensor installs on the valve stem, so it is trivial to
install (anyone, even the mechanically "challenged" can do
it). No rebalancing is required.
-
Each sensor is independently programmed by the user for the
position it is used in. Tire pressure is easy to change
simply by taking the sensor off, adjusting the tire
pressure, and replacing the sensor.
-
The sensors can be moved to any position.
-
Tire rotation is simple.
-
The pressure range reported is up to 150 psi.
-
The transmission range of the sensors is suitable for a 40'
motorhome with a toad, or a 40' trailer, pulled by a
tractor, without adding an external antenna.
-
An optional external antenna is available if needed, but
that is unlikely.
-
A repeater is also available that can forward signals from a
last towed vehicle to the lead vehicle.
-
The system reports pressure every 5 minutes, EVEN IF you are
still. This means you can check the truck and trailer in the
morning before you pull out simply by running through the
display. You don't have to start moving to activate the
sensors just to find out you have a low tire you might have
liked to top up. And you don't have to manually check the
tires with a gauge.
-
It is easy to separate the tow and towed vehicle without
causing false alerts because some tires are "missing". You
can move the display between the tow vehicle and the towed
vehicle, like you might want to do in a motorhome.
-
The display is very thin and can be mounted anywhere with
Velcro.
Pressure Pro Negatives:
-
The sensors do not have a removable battery. They are sealed
units and need factory service when dead (about a 3 year
lifespan). You do not have to pay $50 for a new sensor; the
factory will send you replacements for under $20.
-
Since the sensor installs on the valve stem you should
probably use metal valve stems. But you should be using them
anyway.
-
The sensors are easily removed, so MAY be subject to theft.
This would be true of any valve stem sensor.
Balancing all the pros/cons, I think this is the best valve stem
system available.
You can find additional info at:
http://www.pressureprosystem.com/
Purchase Recommendation
To purchase a Pressure Pro system we recommend:
|
| |
Mike & Pat McFall
850-294-0281
sales@pressureprosystem.com |
They have a website at http://www.pressureprosystem.com
They have been full-timers for over 10 years and are members of the Escapees RV Club. They can advise you on what you need, or answer
any questions you might have. In the unlikely event you need service after the sale they provide outstanding service, as well. They haul
their Teton fifth-wheel with a Volvo 770 tractor - all equipped with PressurePro, of course!! |
Installation |
 |
We mounted the PressurePro Monitor on the center overhead compartment door with Velcro strips. We ran the power cord through
the overhead compartments, down the doorpost and across the dash to the fuse block. |
 |
A close-up of the PressurePro Monitor displaying one of the wheels
tire pressure. |
click on images to enlarge |
 |
A PressurePro sender on Red Rover's left
front wheel. |
 |
A PressurePro sender on Red Rover's left
rear outer wheel. |
click on images to enlarge |
 |
A PressurePro sender on Red Rover's left
rear inner wheel. |
 |
A PressurePro sender on one of Tige's
wheels. |
click on images to enlarge |
 |
Until we added Sparky to the mix, the regulator antenna for the PressurePro Monitor unit received all the
Senders. We felt pulling Sparky behind the trailer would be too much of a distance for Senders on
Sparky's tires.
We decided to add a PressurePro Repeater to boost the signals from Sparky to the Monitor Unit in
Red Rover. |
 |
We decided to locate the PressurePro Repeater in the closet next to the desk. There is a DC light in that closet. We wired a
cigarette lighter like power receptacle into the light wiring. We could have cut the end off of the Repeater power cord but we
wanted to keep our options for moving the Repeater open. |
click on images to enlarge |
 |
We used Velcro to mount the Repeater and wire tired up the power cord.
We now have the Repeater mounted over the trailer wheels. |
 |
Here is a PressurePro sensor mounted on Sparky's wheel. We monitor all 16 (6+6+4) wheels. |
click on images to enlarge |
 |
We added an external antenna just to insure reception of the sensors of the truck tires.
Red Rover's rear wheel have a lot of metal surrounding them.
We simply loosened the brace for the fairing, slipped the L-Bracket that came with the PressurePro Extension Antenna and retightened.
We ran the signal cable under the cab and entered the cab where the rear-view camera wires come in. We then follow the PressurePro
Monitor Power Cable up the windshield to the Monitor. |
click on images to enlarge |
