Tire Pressures

[Bigfin]

Screening various forums I have seen several discussions regarding tire pressures and monitoring, etc. As a new trailer owner, I believe I have found a path that will give us reasonable comfort of mind, at least for the time my wife and I are on our first long trip coming up soon (6,000+ miles). Our choice may change in the future, but so that goes...Rather than a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) which is expensive and does nothing to air up the tires, I decided a daily (when we travel) inspection and pressure check just makes more sense, but how to check and if necessary air up the tires in a quick and low hassle manner? I looked at small compressors but most of them need cords and either 12V or 110V power, which again is a hassle and most 110V compressors are a bit heavy and take up valuable TV/trailer real estate. Recently I believe I have found a good solution I decided to share: I needed a more powerful battery drill to lower and raise the stabilizer jacks so I dropped by my local HF. Their Bauer brand of battery tools also include a compressor with an accurate easy reading gauge, with an adjustable stop that will pump to 160 pounds. I am not a huge fan of HF, but this thing is light weight and so far works really well for my needs. For $25 more than the drill, I am happy for the time being!...

[Stateboy]

I did something similar with the purchase of a DeWalt inflator that ran on the batteries my DeWalt tools ran on. I'm sure HF was cheaper for you ($99 plus tax for me) but it does all you mentioned. I, too, passed on the pressure sensors and haven't looked back.

[jrollf]

The right TPMS does offers some features I really like for real time driving.

1) Low tire pressure alarm. You get a warning before the tire is flat (think slow leak from nail picked up or driving)
2) Sudden pressure change alert. You got a fast leak, get a warning before the low pressure threshold is reached.
3) Over-temp alarm. Tire is to hot and is likely to blow out
4) Over pressure alarm. Usually caused by hot tire, another indication a blow out may be about to happen.

3 and 4 alone can prevent costly damage to the trailer. IMHO, preventing one blow out likely will save more money than the TPMS costs.

I really like having the TPMS on the trailer so I know what is happening real time. I think they are a valuable safety item.

[kgburns1]

Ryobi makes a great battery powered air compressor, 18 volt, 1 gallon air tank and will pump up to 120 PSI.
Since I have had Ryobi tools for years and a goodly supply of their batteries, it was a no brainer for me and I've been completely satisfied with it.
I haven't verified it, but they claim it will air up 5 automobile tires on one battery.
Just a bit pricey, but factory blemished versions can be purchases for about $80

[T Money]

I just use a cheap digital pump connected to a Goal Zero battery pack. I had sensors installed when I bought my TT, but they turned out to be the source of air loss.

[rffowler55]

The TPMS are not cheap but when you are traveling at highway speed they are the only way of knowing you have a tire that has rapid air lose or is over heating.

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by Bigfin

Rather than a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) which is expensive and does nothing to air up the tires, I decided a daily (when we travel) inspection and pressure check just makes more sense, but how to check and if necessary air up the tires in a quick and low hassle manner?

Unfortunately your proposed method does nothing to alert you to sudden loss of pressure, not to mention other conditions. For that you need a TPMS. Your battery powered air pump ain't gonna do you any good when one of your trailer tires hits a hazard that penetrates the tread and causes the tire to lose pressure. Been there, done that.

I figure my TPMS may have saved our lives. Trailer tire picked a piece of metal just as we were turning onto the ON ramp of I-95. Tire lost pressure in less than 100 yards. Without the alert from the TPMS I would have happily pulled out onto I-95 with a flat tire. How long do you think we would have gotten at highway speeds on just one tire on that side? And what would have been the result?

Hint: I used my battery powered air pump to air up all 4 tires before departing home that day. Didn't do a thing to protect me once I hit the road.

Spend the money.

Happy travels!

Roger

[Bigfin]

Originally Posted by rkresge

Unfortunately your proposed method does nothing to alert you to sudden loss of pressure, not to mention other conditions. For that you need a TPMS. Your battery powered air pump ain't gonna do you any good when one of your trailer tires hits a hazard that penetrates the tread and causes the tire to lose pressure. Been there, done that.

I figure my TPMS may have saved our lives. Trailer tire picked a piece of metal just as we were turning onto the ON ramp of I-95. Tire lost pressure in less than 100 yards. Without the alert from the TPMS I would have happily pulled out onto I-95 with a flat tire. How long do you think we would have gotten at highway speeds on just one tire on that side? And what would have been the result?

Hint: I used my battery powered air pump to air up all 4 tires before departing home that day. Didn't do a thing to protect me once I hit the road.

Spend the money.

Happy travels!

Roger

Hey Roger, sorry it has taken me a while to respond to your post, been in the hills of NE Oregon out of communication range...But, after some pondering I did buy a Tire Minder 4 tire monitor for $150. I had seen units up to $500 and that made my eyes glaze over, the TM unit seems a good compromise. Thanks for taking the time to share your story, we are about to start on a 6,000+ mile trip and maybe this will provide some piece of mind! Jerry

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by Bigfin

Hey Roger, sorry it has taken me a while to respond to your post, been in the hills of NE Oregon out of communication range...But, after some pondering I did buy a Tire Minder 4 tire monitor for $150. I had seen units up to $500 and that made my eyes glaze over, the TM unit seems a good compromise. Thanks for taking the time to share your story, we are about to start on a 6,000+ mile trip and maybe this will provide some piece of mind! Jerry

Way to go! Even if you never need it (and I hope you don't), it's powerful safety insurance.

Enjoy camping!

Roger