Alligator Inflate-Thru Valve Caps

[H60DRVR]

I wanted to share my experience with Inflate-Thru Valve Caps and traditional stem cores. I purchased 6 Toyo tires (drive and tag) a few months ago. When I checked the air pressure, the stem cores would apparently crack and leak. I had to carry around extra cores because this happened more than occasionally. I finally went back to the tire shop (Les Schwab) and had them replace all the cores. The technician believed the cores were being over-torqued when I installed them, leading to cracks when I checked the pressure. This would imply that the tires were installed with the cores over-torqued. I was also told to make sure to use stainless steel rather than brass cores, as the stainless steel ones are more durable.

So, at the tire shop the technician convinced me to install the Alligator Inflate-Thru caps (never heard of them) on the tag and outside drive tires. However, it turned out that both Inflate-Thru caps were leaking a couple of pounds per day. I had to keep inflating those two tires after they sat for a few days. I went back to the tire shop today and had them reinstall the traditional stem cores. Over a three-month period, I probably replaced about 10 cores. Nobody I spoke with had heard of these crazy core experiences. I’m not sure what to make of it.

[brobox]

I have been using the flow thru valve caps on the last 3 coach going back 9 years. Not the first problem. Never even had an O ring seal dry out.
I did have a valve core seal shrink from the heat on the 21 and had to be tightened. My valve core tool was not deep enough to tighten it, that was a first. A new longer valve core tool is now in the tool box.

[777 Driver]

I had my drive and tag tires replaced by Les Schwab in Junction City a couple of weeks ago. They used the Alligator flow thru caps.



I had removed my TPMS screw on, non-flow thru caps before dropping the coach off for the tire replacement. When I saw the Alligator caps, I just screwed the TPMS caps onto the Alligator caps. The TPMS showed normal tire pressure, suggesting that the Alligator caps were working fine. Over the next few days, I started losing air (very slow leak) out of one of the new tires. I removed all the Alligator caps and screwed the TPMS caps directly onto the valve stems. No more leakage since then.

Take care,
Stu

P.S. 6 Toyo M144 295/80R22.5 for $4,043.34. They seem to ride fine. My DW grew up on a cattle ranch so she found the 'cow manure' fragrance to be very comforting. No additional charge for the aroma. After three weeks, they're no longer 'farm fresh'.

[DarkSideJeep]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

I had my drive and tag tires replaced by Les Schwab in Junction City a couple of weeks ago. They used the Alligator flow thru caps.

Attachment 425864

I had removed my TPMS screw on, non-flow thru caps before dropping the coach off for the tire replacement. When I saw the Alligator caps, I just screwed the TPMS caps onto the Alligator caps. The TPMS showed normal tire pressure, suggesting that the Alligator caps were working fine. Over the next few days, I started losing air (very slow leak) out of one of the new tires. I removed all the Alligator caps and screwed the TPMS caps directly onto the valve stems. No more leakage since then.

Take care,
Stu

P.S. 6 Toyo M144 295/80R22.5 for $4,043.34. They seem to ride fine. My DW grew up on a cattle ranch so she found the 'cow manure' fragrance to be very comforting. No additional charge for the aroma. After three weeks, they're no longer 'farm fresh'.

I have those on the fronts on my Aspire. They came on the coach when I took delivery June 21, 2024. None of my air tools work on them, I have to remove to put air in or take air out. As soon as I have a few moments to spare I'll replace with ordinary valve stem caps.

[H60DRVR]

It happened again! While checking the pressure this morning, another valve core got stuck, leaking air. I called Les Schwab and spoke with a manager. Bead-balanced tires require a filtered stem core to trap any tiny sand particles that could jam up the core. The cores that the tire shops and I kept replacing were of the traditional type. They are bringing a service truck to my location to replace all the cores. Les Schwab failed three times to recognize this before today. I had no idea the tires were balanced in this manner—with tiny beads. I’m not liking this method after my experience.

[DarkSideJeep]

Originally Posted by H60DRVR

It happened again! While checking the pressure this morning, another valve core got stuck, leaking air. I called Les Schwab and spoke with a manager. Bead-balanced tires require a filtered stem core to trap any tiny sand particles that could jam up the core. The cores that the tire shops and I kept replacing were of the traditional type. They are bringing a service truck to my location to replace all the cores. Les Schwab failed three times to recognize this before today. I had no idea the tires were balanced in this manner—with tiny beads. I’m not liking this method after my experience.

I'll just add this to my list of reasons to never use Balance Beads.
.