PLEASE Help me choose a TPMS system!

[SarahW]

Thanks to all who posted advice and recommendations on this thread. I sincerely appreciate your time and experience.

I have a lot of studying to do! I spoke with the Duran rep this morning and I am currently leaning in that direction.

We thought we wanted the units with user-replaceable batteries but now the issue of whether the sensor is truly protected against the elements has us reconsidering that. I can see that there are pluses and minuses to each design.

[SarahW]

OK, duh. I didn't speak with the "Duran" rep; it was "DORAN."

I ordered the Doran TPMS, after much hand-wringing. I was very impressed with their website, and the telephone conversations I had with two of their reps. They were willing to answer any of my questions, though I had made it clear that I was only shopping and comparing brands. (A couple of others did not seem very interested in discussing their product since I wasn't in "place an order" mode.)

We thought we wanted the user-replaceable battery type, but ultimately decided that the opportunity for weather-related compromise was higher for those. (Water seepage from poor seal, etc.) Also thought we wanted the flow-through type for ease of adding air, etc....but those sensors look so big that we thought they might not fit as well. Still might regret that, though.

We should receive the system by next Wednesday. Thanks again for ALL the excellent input. You all helped us make a choice, though I'm sure that we would probably be equally satisfied with any of the brands recommended here.

[SarahW]

Oh...I found that the Doran TPMS offers a metal valve-stem extension that will allow the functionality of a flow-through sensor. Those are an additional $20 per tire and we might add them later.

[docj]

Originally Posted by tomwalt

Another happy TST customer here with another idea for you.
If you have the stock dually tires and your husband grumbles about checking/airing them - check out the "Crossfire" from Myers Trucking. I got a set and love them. They are braided stainless steel crossover connections that provide a single convenient check point and a visual readout of your tire pressure. They are about $70 per tire (so you need 2), but then you only need one TPMS per rear dually (so you save about $50 per side on TPMS). You must know the proper/correct tire pressure prior to ordering. I'm not associated with the company - just a happy customer that hated dually tire pressure maintenance.
So, 2 Crossfires ($140) and 4 TPMS ($200) would take care of the RV. You can add more TPMS sensors for a toad later if needed.
If no Crossfires, TPMS would be about $300 but you still need to put air in the dully tires at the valve stems (a real pain).
P.S. The TST 507 allows you to replace batteries yourself. Does not have a flow through for airing up, but is just like taking off a valve cap - no big deal..

I assume on a Crossfire that there is a valve for adding air so that is where the TPMS sensor would be located? I looked at a picture of the Crossfire on the Myers site and couldn't figure out where the valve is. Also, when you mounted the Crossfire did you slip the mounting bracket over one of the wheel lugs and then use a second nut to secure it or did you actually remove one of the wheel lug nuts?

[Gthree]

I have the Hawkshead and love it. No comment on customer support, never had to use it. Yes, I get a false alarm every once in a while, and it requires that I remove and replace a sensor to clear the alarm. Big deal. In fact, I kind of appreciate knowing that the alarm system is functional. Three times in a year and a half.

As for feed-through valves (so you can air up while the sensor is in place), I don't see the need for it. The pressures in my tires don't vary by 3 pounds in a year.

I love the small size, easy reading, and most of all the replaceable batteries. Also, the display has a little rechargeable battery, so you can remove the display from the dash and walk around with it to monitor/check/maintain your sensors.

I do not have wheel covers, so it's pretty easy to just install the sensors directly on the tire stems.