PLEASE Help me choose a TPMS system!

[SarahW]

Sorry for "yet another" TPMS thread. I have tried to read them all and I'm more confused than ever. Please tell me which brand(s) you recommend and which you'd avoid. Are they all fairly easy to install?

I am particularly concerned about the metal bonding issue that I noted on another thread, where the metal of the TPMS receiver sort of "bonded" to the metal valve stem and had to be cut off of the tire...YIKES! Also, I THINK it would be a plus to be able to add air, etc., without removing the sensor. (As you see, I am clueless, ha.)

One other question...do the sensors pretty much get installed permanently? That is, should they be removed when the coach is in storage or just put on the tire and left there? We live in the south and don't have to worry about snow or road salt, etc.

I'd like to order a system for my hubby's Christmas gift, so any input will be sincerely appreciated. Thanks.

[UFO Pilot]

I have this one: Tire-SafeGuard

Flow Thru sensors so they don't have to be removed. No repeater necessary for the longer set ups. My sensors have been on the RV and Toad for 3 years. The only time I remove them is when I rotate the tires on the Toad. Great system with excellent customer support.

[SarahW]

Thanks, UFO Pilot! I'm going to check 'em out.

[jzick]

Each brand of TPMS seems to have their hard core supporters, and each seems to have a few with negative experiences. Discussions a lot of times wander toward a Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge discussion - more passion than fact. This tells me that most of them work to expectations and your choice may come down to convenience/price. We have had a Pressure Pro System since 2007 (6 mh tires + 4 towd) that have worked well with zero issues. Instructions say to remove them while sitting or in storage. I do not as I am too lazy. I manually check pressures monthly (remove the TPMS unit) with no problems.

If you are close to one of the big RV shows, there are typically multiple vendors with TPMS systems for sale and you could compare them side by side. Whatever system you decide on, IMO, you will be safer with the system than without. Good luck.

[1ciderdog]

I have the Doran Pressure Pro and am pleased with it BUT I probably won't buy another since you have to send the sending units back to them for battery replacement. I think I would look closely one of the other models that have batteries you can replace.
Safe Travels
Bob

[SarahW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzick Each brand of TPMS seems to have their hard core supporters, and each seems to have a few with negative experiences...

I totally agree with this. I guess it's just a crap-shoot, so I'll just pick one and hope for the best! Thanks.

[SarahW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog I have the Doran Pressure Pro and am pleased with it BUT I probably won't buy another since you have to send the sending units back to them for battery replacement. I think I would look closely one of the other models that have batteries you can replace. Safe Travels Bob

Thanks, Bob. I will consider a system with replaceable batteries in the sensors for sure!

[sdennislee]

I really like my TST system. ALways accurate to within one pound of my digital gauge.

The monitor is small enough to go just about anywhere and be in my way. It came with the range extender but I don't use as it works fine with the small antennae.

The install for 6 tires with programming took me 20 minutes or so. Each sensor is numbered you scroll thru them on the monitor telling the monitor which sensor is on which tire.

I haven't seen any metal bonding issues with mine. I saw the other thread some time back about bonding but it really looked like there was Loc-Tite on the threads, don't know what else the red stuff could have been.

If you need valve stem extensions I found the ones with little ball shaped end that allows you to air up the tires without taking the cap off to not work with my system, the little ball would not depress far enough when the sensor was screwed on to let the air pressure in to the sensor.

I don't have any experience with other brands so I can't make any comparisons.

If I had to buy another TPMS I would stay with TST. Unless I could find a reliable system with pass through valve stems to allow me to air up/down my tires without removing the sensors.

[Clifftall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdennislee I really like my TST system. ALways accurate to within one pound of my digital gauge. The monitor is small enough to go just about anywhere and be in my way. It came with the range extender but I don't use as it works fine with the small antennae. I haven't seen any metal bonding issues with mine. I saw the other thread some time back about bonding but it really looked like there was Loc-Tite on the threads, don't know what else the red stuff could have been. I don't have any experience with other brands so I can't make any comparisons. If I had to buy another TPMS I would stay with TST.

Ditto

[tvman44]

Love my TST system.

[GaryKD]

Hi SarahW,
This response is a bit of a different view.

1. The technology is a commodity. They all work.
2. You've stated what is important to you.
3. Hubby may not feel the same way.

Consider getting hubby in on this purchase. For me the most important item to consider is how the system interacts with the driver while going down the road. Is the control panel easy to read? Do the alert sounds make sense or cause confusion? From the driving position, can the driver quickly and easily determine what the problem is?

I have the original Pressure Pro. 6 and 1/2 years later I have started to replace sensors due to low battery. Other than that the system works as advertised. The control panel is easy to understand while traveling at highway speeds.

I do loosen the sensors when the coach is not being used. The sensors remain on the valve stem, just not active. The sensors are removed from the toad.

[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..

[W4MBG]

i bought a pressure plus system from pacific dualies last year. no issues at all. comes with display, repeater module, and 6 sensors. the batteries are replaceable in the sensors, and the display and repeater can each be powered by 12v or batteries. note: the actual brand name is stamped on the back of the unit, but i cant remember what it was.

[sdennislee]

Crossfire Dual Tire Pressure Equalizer, 95 psi

Link to the Crossfire system. As Tom pointed out you will need to know the required pressure for your duals before ordering, this link is for the 95 psi model.