Community Forums

hillboy · 09-20-2016, 02:06 PM

2016 Newmar on F53 chassis. Wheel covers make it impossible to check air pressure without removing wheel covers. Not a big problem but also current, configuration looks to make use of my tire pressure monitors difficult.
Anyone have to deal with this or is it just Newmars choice of wheel covers?
I can cut and chop wheel covers but my wife feels I am not a craftsman and prefers a neater soloution.
Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

Full.Monte · 09-20-2016, 02:35 PM

Same problem on my 19.5 wheels. I bought the expensive bent valves when I put on new tires. It solved the problem. It wasn't cheap, but worked.

TeJay · 09-21-2016, 07:12 AM

I also used the 180 degree bent metal valve stems. To get the fitting out to where I can check the inner rear tires. I used an extension with metal weave shielding for protection. I also put two layers of heat shrink tubing over the extensions to make them stiffer. As the extension goes through the wheel cover opening there is a wire basket designed to hold the extensions it in place so it won't move and cause early failure.

I have also seen (on-line) a rubber plug that fits into the wheel cover triangular hole. When the flexible extension comes through the hole these should work well to provide solid support. I don't have those yet but they are on my list of things to get. The wire baskets are working OK so far but I think the rubber plugs would work better.

Tire rotation. That is always a mixed bag of opinions. Some never rotate tires. Here's what I've decided to do and for two reasons.

I know what rotating tires side to side does for car and truck tires. Sometimes (but not always) tires will develop a set or specific way the tire wears based on its location on the vehicle. When the tire is moved so the rotation is opposite that set (wear pattern) is usually removed. This may or may not be an issue with RV's but based on my second reason I'll still rotate my tires.

The other reason is while the tires are removed I'll clean and treat the inside sidewalls with Aerospace Rubber Protectorate 303. It's one of the best rubber treatments and while it may not help to much I'm sure it won't hurt.

I'm using Centramatic wheel balancers but if I had weights at this time I'd also check to make sure none have come off.

Fronts: I rotate them side to side but keep them on the front. This will change the rotation but will not require changing the valve extensions.

Rear: The same process. I'll just move both sets of tires from the left side to the right side. They will get the change of rotation but again no need to change what ever set up one has for the valves and extensions.

jrpend · 09-26-2016, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillboy

2016 Newmar on F53 chassis. Wheel covers make it impossible to check air pressure without removing wheel covers. Not a big problem but also current, configuration looks to make use of my tire pressure monitors difficult.
.

I know a lot of people don't like them, but I had CW install some tire stem extenders on the aft duallies on my 37f Winnie. They haven't given me a bit of trouble even with the Tireminders on them.

Hikerdogs · 09-26-2016, 02:52 PM

You might want to try something like this:
Dicor Solid Valve Extenders

We had to use something similar on our 2001 Adventurer with wheel covers. We were able to get them at our local truck tire dealer for far less than what Tweety's is asking.

I would avoid modifying the wheel covers. The bent lips around the valve stem opening adds strength to the cover. If you remove or modify it the wheel cover will flex and crack.

As for rotating tires, if you choose to do it I would follow Tejay's recommendation. Don't mix front and rear tires. The main reason being the fronts wear slightly faster than the rears if you're anywhere the load rating.

In most cases the difference won't be noticeable, but will be detectable with a tread gauge. Mixing slightly different diameter tires will load the larger diameter one more than the smaller diameter one. If you're near the axle load rating you may overload the larger tire. In any case you will put more pressure on the larger tire causing it to get hotter and wear quicker.

rapid rick · 09-26-2016, 03:00 PM

I just marked the wheel cover where the interference was, then removed the covers, and using a burr bit, I removed a small amount of the cover, maybe 1/4 inch, no more problem. You could use a large rat tail file to accomplish the same results, just take your time make it look nice, no one will ever notice the notch. Cost=0 1/2 hour of my time, well worth it. Also like TEJAY said,303 on inside tires every so often also worth it.