TPMS Sensors - Internal or External

[Gordon1152]

The last straw for the add-on Valor TPMS on my coach arrived recently in the form of battery depletion on all six of my internal sensors. So now the inevitable questions:

Do I replace all six and expect that will cure all of this system's ills? No

If not Valor, then who? Tireminder or TST

Internal or external sensors? Pluses and minuses for each ...

I like the cost and serviceability of external sensors, but I would consider flow-through a must and I'm leary of long valve stem add-ons hanging off the front wheels ...

Does anyone care to weigh in?

[Mwoodofd]

I have had the TST for a while on mine (8 years) - I use the flow thru style sensor for the coach with color monitor, and I put the standard on the jeep (flow thru would work fine if you don't off-road) - makes it easy to adjust air pressure. I also bought the extender and put it in the rear closet to aid picking up the toad sensors.

I have only replaced batteries from time to time, and have had a sensor or two that I needed to replace due to signal loss. Not sure why the built in system seems to be having so many issues.

I had the tire minder product, and I am not bashing them, they were very "can do", but the system never worked for me.

[RVStitchy]

We used Tire Minder for our 2020 Kountry Star and Toad. Worked very well.

Our 2022 Dutch Star has the new Valor Gen III system which is working perfectly. However, I have not heard of an upgrade path from Gen I systems - which I assume you have. From everything I have read the Gen I is not worth the time and money to pull all the coach tires and replace the sensors.

[Gordon1152]

Originally Posted by Mwoodofd

I have had the TST for a while on mine (8 years) - I use the flow thru style sensor for the coach with color monitor, and I put the standard on the jeep (flow thru would work fine if you don't off-road) - makes it easy to adjust air pressure. I also bought the extender and put it in the rear closet to aid picking up the toad sensors.

I have only replaced batteries from time to time, and have had a sensor or two that I needed to replace due to signal loss. Not sure why the built in system seems to be having so many issues.

I had the tire minder product, and I am not bashing them, they were very "can do", but the system never worked for me.

Thanks Mwoodofd! I take it that the extra length of the flow thru on the front wheels has not posed an issue for you ...

[Gordon1152]

Originally Posted by RVStitchy

We used Tire Minder for our 2020 Kountry Star and Toad. Worked very well.

Our 2022 Dutch Star has the new Valor Gen III system which is working perfectly. However, I have not heard of an upgrade path from Gen I systems - which I assume you have. From everything I have read the Gen I is not worth the time and money to pull all the coach tires and replace the sensors.

Thanks RVStitchy! In hindsight I probably should have walked away from the Gen I stuff a while ago. I haven't heard much about Gen III, but that's probably because there's no aftermarket fitment ...

[Mwoodofd]

Originally Posted by Gordon1152

Thanks Mwoodofd! I take it that the extra length of the flow thru on the front wheels has not posed an issue for you ...

No issues for me on the steer - hope that does not jinx me

[bevandtomH]

If you do go with an external TPMS, get one that allows you to set a High Temp limit. I like my EEZE Tire but when road surfaces get warm, I am regularly reaching down to quiet the alarm. Mine is 4 years old, maybe the newer ones allow it.

[pasdad1]

You should not consider flow-thru a “must”. I don’t install the “ant-theft” ring on the outside of my sensors for a couple of reasons, and never recommend than anyone do.

Without that useless extra plastic cap on the sensors, they are much lighter and smaller….so small you don’t even visually notice them (really!). They just look like valve stem “caps”

They just easily unscrew with your fingers, just like a valve stem cap would, and screw back on just as easily, no special tool required.

I find I only need to add air to the tires 2 or 3 times per year, so no trouble at all to unscrew a sensor, add the air, then put sensor back on.

In almost 3 years of full time travels, never an issue with theft or vandalism. Honestly, they are so small, nobody would notice, and theft would do them no good anyway, as they wouldn’t have the receiver which makes them work anyway.

I have the Eez-tire which are some of the smallest sensors in the industry. Replacing the batteries is a 2 minute job, easy-peasy, and I have had sensors last over 2 years on the same battery.

[JHinman]

I have the TST 507 system.

One of the four sensors will not seal on my trailer tires, so whichever tire it is on will quickly leak down. I sent it to TST for replacement, and TST said it looks OK to them and are sending it back to me. Not very helpful.

Many people use the TST system successfully, but when this sensor gets back to me the whole system is going back to the Amazon vendor.

[Balladeer]

Go to this web site rvibrake.com
See all they have to offer.
I use their tmps system, Toad brake system, and toad charger system
The external tire sensors can be easily removed and therefor not using battery power when not needed.
The braking system is removable and therefor adaptable to a new toad or as in my case either toad.
All systems are monitored in the coach on the tablet.

I have been very satisfied with the performance as well as the customer service from them. They are in Colorado.

Safe travels...

[RVFunlovers]

Originally Posted by pasdad1

You should not consider flow-thru a “must”. I don’t install the “ant-theft” ring on the outside of my sensors for a couple of reasons, and never recommend than anyone do.

Without that useless extra plastic cap on the sensors, they are much lighter and smaller….so small you don’t even visually notice them (really!). They just look like valve stem “caps”

They just easily unscrew with your fingers, just like a valve stem cap would, and screw back on just as easily, no special tool required.

I find I only need to add air to the tires 2 or 3 times per year, so no trouble at all to unscrew a sensor, add the air, then put sensor back on.

In almost 3 years of full time travels, never an issue with theft or vandalism. Honestly, they are so small, nobody would notice, and theft would do them no good anyway, as they wouldn’t have the receiver which makes them work anyway.

I have the Eez-tire which are some of the smallest sensors in the industry. Replacing the batteries is a 2 minute job, easy-peasy, and I have had sensors last over 2 years on the same battery.

This is exactly what I do as well. No issues and much smaller. I do not use flow through or the large cap. If someone wants to get the device off the can even with the anti theft ring.

[MRUSA14]

Originally Posted by pasdad1

You should not consider flow-thru a “must”. I don’t install the “ant-theft” ring on the outside of my sensors for a couple of reasons, and never recommend than anyone do.

Without that useless extra plastic cap on the sensors, they are much lighter and smaller….so small you don’t even visually notice them (really!). They just look like valve stem “caps”

They just easily unscrew with your fingers, just like a valve stem cap would, and screw back on just as easily, no special tool required.

I find I only need to add air to the tires 2 or 3 times per year, so no trouble at all to unscrew a sensor, add the air, then put sensor back on.

In almost 3 years of full time travels, never an issue with theft or vandalism. Honestly, they are so small, nobody would notice, and theft would do them no good anyway, as they wouldn’t have the receiver which makes them work anyway.

I have the Eez-tire which are some of the smallest sensors in the industry. Replacing the batteries is a 2 minute job, easy-peasy, and I have had sensors last over 2 years on the same battery.

X3 on the all of the above. Also, the batteries are inexpensive and are quick and easy to change when needed.

[deckape]

Have the tire minder system on coach ( 6 ) ,receiver and toad ( 4 ) . Had them for 5 years with on problems, other that a change of batteries a few times , lost of signal and at the start of a long trip. Take them off car when using it around town and to site see . Leave them on coach all the time . Will remove them to air tires ,as you can check pressure thru monitor and only do that tire . If I have a problem ,battery change seems to correct it . Would buy again as it is something you do need .

[Gordon1152]

Originally Posted by bevandtomH

If you do go with an external TPMS, get one that allows you to set a High Temp limit. I like my EEZE Tire but when road surfaces get warm, I am regularly reaching down to quiet the alarm. Mine is 4 years old, maybe the newer ones allow it.

Copy that ... Thanks!