Community Forums

tim myers · 09-24-2015, 03:47 PM

No Worries, I just know how it sounds to have the bottom of your hitch ball digging into the pavement.

vettenuts · 09-24-2015, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Martin

Anyone have the valve stems changed out to metal for running a TST TPMS??

I'm hoping the tire place doesn't lose my balancing beads....

I did it myself, no tools other than to tighten the metal valve stem. I posted a thread on it, bit basically remove the valve stem core to deflate, stand on the tire to break the bead and then stand on the tire near the valve team to get access. Add another quarter ounce of beads to compensate for the TPMS sensor weight.

C.Martin · 09-24-2015, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettenuts

I did it myself, no tools other than to tighten the metal valve stem. I posted a thread on it, bit basically remove the valve stem core to deflate, stand on the tire to break the bead and then stand on the tire near the valve team to get access. Add another quarter ounce of beads to compensate for the TPMS sensor weight.

Any chance you can give me a link for the metal stems you bought? I found beads on eBAY...but there are so many different types of stems. Figured I ask which ones you used...and if you are happy with them for use with a TPMS.

Thanks so much

vettenuts · 09-24-2015, 06:39 PM

Here is the link to the thread. In the thread, I have a link to the valve stem I used. Also, you can get extra Dynabeads on eBay from a motorcycle shop. Let me know if you have more questions. Also, when I posted the thread, I hadn't tried the dolly yet with the valve stems and TPMS sensors. Now I have about 1,500 miles on the setup and they are working well.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253069

seb1899 · 09-25-2015, 08:15 AM

No problem w/height I'll just raise it a hole and see where I am vis a vis height.

My dolly wheels and spare came with metal stems

OldKansan · 09-25-2015, 02:14 PM

Concerning the bike rack, have you considered putting it on back of "toad"?

Nomad Mike · 09-25-2015, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldKansan

Concerning the bike rack, have you considered putting it on back of "toad"?

I just installed a trailer hitch on the Prius. I installed the bike rack and it looks good - will have to get the dolly hooked up and load the car to see if it drags. But it seems high enough.

Nomad Mike · 09-25-2015, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seb1899

No problem w/height I'll just raise it a hole and see where I am vis a vis height.

My dolly wheels and spare came with metal stems

I noticed mine look metal too. From ACME's site:

vettenuts · 09-26-2015, 06:30 AM

No, those are high pressure rubber valve stems. They will flex if you push on them with your fingers. With the rotation speed of the smaller tires, I would personally be very hesitant about putting a sensor on that stem. Those are exactly what I removed when I installed my metal clamp in valve stems.

Nomad Mike · 09-26-2015, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettenuts

No, those are high pressure rubber valve stems. They will flex if you push on them with your fingers. With the rotation speed of the smaller tires, I would personally be very hesitant about putting a sensor on that stem. Those are exactly what I removed when I installed my metal clamp in valve stems.

That's what I thought, they do flex.

seb1899 · 09-26-2015, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Concerning the bike rack, have you considered putting it on back of "toad"?

My car does not have a receiver to accomodate a bike hitch and the receiver on the front of the camper is a 2" Class lll. The Allen 4 bike rack holds my wife's Worksman trike and my bike

C.Martin · 10-05-2015, 12:48 PM

Alrighty!!! Received my ceramic balancing beads and metal valve stems...and now they're installed.

That went smoother than I expected.

While I was putting the lug wrench on to take the wheels off...I hooked the Dolly up to my pickup truck. I have a 6" drop on the truck now....and that puts the base of the coupler about 17" up in the air. I played around with what 14" looked like....and the tow dolly still appears nose high. I put a level on the keel of the tow dolly and held it level...the bottom of the coupler is really close to the ground. I guess I'll shoot for the recommended 14"... Just wondering if the air dam on the Prius is going to drag on the front cross member of the tow dolly with that riding angle.

Nomad Mike, how goes it with you????

tim myers · 10-05-2015, 01:58 PM

We originally towed a 2003 Grand Am and it sits very low. In order to load it I had two options, either lower the hitch height to about 11" (unacceptable ground clearance) or make modifications to the tire stop angle to obtain more clearance. I choose the later with blessings from Richard of Acme.

C.Martin · 10-05-2015, 02:13 PM

I think,,,pending the actual tongue weight...I might get an ajustable drop hitch...load with it dropped low...adjust the height to tow...then readjust it to off load. That may preserve the air dam on the car.

What type of adjustment did you make? Plasma cutter to shorten the front vertical wall???

I guess the coupler up high...keeps the air dam from hitting the ramps...and the coupler closer to level prevents it from hitting the front stop. Guess we'll just have to experiment...