Community Forums

johnhicks · 11-13-2013, 09:45 PM

This is strange.

We bought six new tires in June; the dealer had only flexible extensions for the duallies and although we weren't thrilled about that it was imperative to put new tires on the beast sooner rather than later.

All has been well until the last week when we've has some really cold nights; the next day the inner duals have been effectively flat. (Not driven on) I'd inflate them and a day or two later, flat again. I don't think anything's loose although I can't get at the stem to tighten them up (all of 200 miles on 'em) and the valve doesn't blow soap bubbles. Warm weather they're fine; cold weather they leak.

I've got some metal extensions coming and will have them installed. And if I didn't have a TPMS I would've driven out on two flat tires that I'd inflated just the day before and wondered what happened.

vsheetz · 11-13-2013, 10:34 PM

TPMS - I like mine. Makes issues such as your very evident. Agree, the metal extensions should resolve the issue.

Arch Hoagland · 11-13-2013, 10:50 PM

Have the exact same problem. New tires in May, have done a few trips since then.

Went to get the coach ready for a trip yesterday and checked tire pressures and inside dual drivers side had zero air pressure. It was fine when I parked it couple weeks ago and all tires were set to 90.

So I pumped it up to about 70 lb, let it sit for 20 minutes and it dropped 10 lb. messed with it for a while, and it kept loosing air at about the same rate. Moved the coach around looking for screws, nails etc and then pumped it up to 100lb. No more loose of air.

Checked again today still good.

Called the place that installed the tires,Michelin XRV's, and will take it to them Friday and have the flex extensions replaced.

They have worked for 7 years with no problems but will have them replaced anyways.

jergeod · 11-14-2013, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Have the exact same problem. New tires in May, have done a few trips since then.

Went to get the coach ready for a trip yesterday and checked tire pressures and inside dual drivers side had zero air pressure. It was fine when I parked it couple weeks ago and all tires were set to 90.

So I pumped it up to about 70 lb, let it sit for 20 minutes and it dropped 10 lb. messed with it for a while, and it kept loosing air at about the same rate. Moved the coach around looking for screws, nails etc and then pumped it up to 100lb. No more loose of air.

Checked again today still good.

Called the place that installed the tires,Michelin XRV's, and will take it to them Friday and have the flex extensions replaced.

They have worked for 7 years with no problems but will have them replaced anyways.

By your statement I would have to think that the bead was leaking not the extension.

Hikerdogs · 11-14-2013, 06:57 AM

We had a similar problem with the extensions on our previous coach. In our case there was a small o ring in the end that screwed onto the valve stem. When the weather turned cold the o rings shrunk slightly allowing air to escape at the joint.

It turned out the o rings weren't lubricated when the extensions were installed. rather than slipping over the threaded end of the valve stem they just butted up against them. A little shrinkage due to the cold was all it took to open a gap. I removed the extensions, wiped a little Vaseline over the o rings with a Q tip and reinstalled them. They worked fine for another 75,000 miles. When we added a TPMS we changed to rigid extensions.

JFNM · 11-14-2013, 07:50 AM

Similar problem here. My rear tires were very old and kept going flat (while sitting). I purchased new tires and was shocked to find them going flat as well. At first, I was annoyed with the tire dealer. Finally, the light went on that it was probably my valve extenders. Removed them and all is well. Haven't decided what to replace them with yet.

Modela · 11-14-2013, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikerdogs

We had a similar problem with the extensions on our previous coach. In our case there was a small o ring in the end that screwed onto the valve stem. When the weather turned cold the o rings shrunk slightly allowing air to escape at the joint.

It turned out the o rings weren't lubricated when the extensions were installed. rather than slipping over the threaded end of the valve stem they just butted up against them. A little shrinkage due to the cold was all it took to open a gap. I removed the extensions, wiped a little Vaseline over the o rings with a Q tip and reinstalled them. They worked fine for another 75,000 miles. When we added a TPMS we changed to rigid extensions.

I had the same problem with some extensions that I put on mine. I took them off. I will lubricated them and try again.

Sky_Boss · 11-14-2013, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFNM

...Finally, the light went on that it was probably my valve extenders. Removed them and all is well. Haven't decided what to replace them with yet.

Consider something like this

DL4FO Chrome Dually Valve Kit

You have to break the tires apart but that removes extensions. The round round rubber pieces fit in the wheel hand holds to support the long extension and with a TPMS are even more important supporting the extra weight spinning around. You have to order these based on your wheel manufacturer and hand hold size. They are a little pricey but worth it.

johnhicks · 11-14-2013, 08:58 AM

I know the installer didn't lubricate any o-rings in the extensions.

But that makes perfect sense; o-rings shrinking and becoming hard in 25F and lower temps and leaking.

Sky_Boss · 11-14-2013, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnhicks

I know the installer didn't lubricate any o-rings in the extensions.

But that makes perfect sense; o-rings shrinking and becoming hard in 25F and lower temps and leaking.

Same as what happened to the Challenger STS.

Arch Hoagland · 11-14-2013, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jergeod

By your statement I would have to think that the bead was leaking not the extension.

Yes I thought about that too but the fact that I've driven it about 5,000 miles since the new tires were installed kinda ruled out the bead seating.

The temperatures have dropped down to the high 30's since I had checked the pressures a few weeks ago and now seeing several other people with the same problem now that it cooler leads me to believe the valve core or the extenders are creating the problem.

Goes in tomorrow for the dealer to check it out.

Thanks for all the replies everybody!

ga traveler · 11-14-2013, 10:18 AM

Extenders have always been a problem. They are a big help with filling, but a pain in the but with leaks. We also ran into leaks when it turned very cold. I use extenders on my Pace, but I am not really a fan. I plan to go to the long stems at the next tire change.

Arch Hoagland · 11-14-2013, 02:31 PM

ga traveler...........Is there an alternative for the rear duals besides the braided extenders?

When you say long stems...will they extend far enough for an inside dual to be filled/checked?

Sky_Boss · 11-14-2013, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

ga traveler...........Is there an alternative for the rear duals besides the braided extenders?

When you say long stems...will they extend far enough for an inside dual to be filled/checked?

The picture of the extenders I posted earlier do that.