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barclay7568 · 04-20-2015, 10:03 AM

Sorry if this topic has been talked to death, but...

I'm looking to replace OEMs Toyo 12R22.5 and have questions re Smart Tire (ST) monitor system. The monitor system appears to be working fine although 12 years old. ST website says they no longer make them and no longer offer support. Literature says their batteries are good for @ 7 years or 90K miles. Mine is 12 years and 25K for miles. When changing tires, your opinions please on whether I should look at a new monitor also? If so, what are smart people like you using for a brand?

As far as tires, it sounds like the FMCA Michelin deal is sometimes hard to maneuver as you don't know the price you're paying until after the invoice is returned to you and sometimes people have found the local tire stores have cheaper prices. Anyone know if this is still true as my information may be dated?

I have also heard that 12R's are harder to find, if needed, out on the road and others have switched to other numbers for this reason. What brands do people seem to be happy with as far as "gentle" ride is concerned?

PS: I know, it's like the Chevy-Ford question, but I do value other's opinions.

dons2346 · 04-20-2015, 11:09 AM

Can't help with the tire monitor issue but you might call the Les Schwab tire store in Junction City and inquire about batteries. I know the first generation sensors are out dated and I think the second generation battery is obsolete. They would knw there as they were the ones that installed the Smart Tire in the first place. Store Locator - Les Schwab Tire Centers

As far as the FMCA program, I do know that you can get a price for the tires before you purchase them. You can go to the FMCA website, create an account and log on. From there you can see how the program works and the cost of your tire. What is not included its the mounting and balancing fees. I had 4 mounted and balanced at a cost of $149.

You might be able to find cheaper pricing but when I purchased mine, the FMCA deal was the cheapest. Yes, you will know the price of the tires and you do not pay for them until they are mounted.

IASM · 04-20-2015, 11:15 AM

I bought two new sensors at bob dickman tire in junction city so I think the equipment is still available and supported its just not specific to rv. As far as tires I didn't have any problem with the fmca program and its true the prices are not listed but you can call or email fmca and they will tell you the cost beforehand.

Mr_D · 04-20-2015, 11:19 AM

I looked on the FMCA site a week or so ago and the tire prices were listed.

Our Smartire system is 6 yrs old and still works fine. Need to check all the setting but it seemed to work fine during the 2,600 miles we've gotten to drive it.
I do have a TST 507 system that I took from the old Dutch Star that I'll install in the Smartire is not repairable in the future.
I used to be a Pressure Pro distributor/dealer and changed to the TST system but the new PP system may be good now since the latest upgrades.

BarneyM · 04-20-2015, 11:27 AM

If at all possible you want to stick with the SmarTire system. There is nothing available today to match it. Bob Dickman Tire has the transmitters for sale. If you have the Silver Leaf system that can program the new sensors and your in good shape. If, like me, you don't have Silver Leaf just contact Dickman Tire. They will have you send them the SmarTire control box from under the dash, program it with the new sensor information (free) and send everything back to you. Works like a charm.

(541) 998-3319

Looks like Dickman tire is now a Les Schwab dealer. Might try giving them a call and see if they still carry the SmarTire parts. If not then they were the last place I know of the get them. Bendix still makes the transmitters for heavy duty trucks but they no longer support motor homes.

barclay7568 · 04-20-2015, 05:29 PM

Checked with 3 large tire stores in the Portland area today and none gave me the confidence of installing tires on an RV nor had any or much knowledge of Smart Tire pressure monitor.

I called Bob Dickman's today in Junction City. The guy I talked to probably installed my ST monitor when new. He said Bendix bought out ST and they can still get sensors from Bendix for generation II models but there are no spares for generation I. They determined that I have generation I model. Your choice is to allow it to last as long as it can, then install another system, or be proactive and install another system when changing tires as there is an overlap in labor charges that can be saved by doing it together. They highly recommend the Pressure Pro system and said he installs a lot of them and people have not had any problems with them.

They also recommend replacing the Toyo's with Toyo's as the current Toyo's are a better tire than from years ago. Dickman does a lot of RV's and he said 60% of their business is with Toyo installs and the other 40% is a mixture of Bridgestone and Michelin. He can't remember the last set of Goodyear's that he installed. Even with the FMCA discount, the Michelin's look to be about $150 more per tire so will probably be staying with the Toyo tire.

Will probably dirve the 100 miles to Dickman's after May 1 and have confidence that it's done right.

deandec · 04-21-2015, 09:49 AM

The other TPMS choice is to do as hundreds of other RVers do.

Buy a system on Ebay and install it externally yourself.

But.....you may have to change the batteries yourself a year from now!

SloPoke · 04-22-2015, 02:12 PM

When we purchased our 2007 CC Allure 470 last October, I had Les Schwab in Junction City replace the steer tires and the Smart Tire sending units. At that time Les Schwab still had them. Will replace the 6 rear sending units in the next few months.

Scott