Community Forums

mljackson413 · 01-14-2021, 06:14 PM

I am having a heck of a time getting access to my valve stems on the rear dual tires. It may just be that I'm intimidated but have asked Newmar (North Trail) to improve it and they couldn't, have now been to Freightliner at the suggestion of Newmar and they want me to to to a tire store.
Would just like to get some air valves installed that bring the fill location to the outside of the tires, much like the front wheels for access.
Have just found out about something called Cat's Eye for dual tires that bring the fill point to one location, any thoughts on that system?
It seems that most people are nervous about flexible extensions and the possibility of leaking.
Have talked to Lazy Daze and they seem confident they could come up with a way to improve the access but have not taken the coach to them yet.
Any guidance or experience would be appreciated.
Mike

johninsd · 01-14-2021, 06:22 PM

Do you have a dual head air chuck? This has been the standard tool for inflating duals for several decades now - just takes a little practice.

Keith55 · 01-14-2021, 08:32 PM

I messed with extensions and found the easiest thing to do was JohnInSD said. Buy a long chuck extension with dual heads and for my liking this was way easier than all the extension systems I have messed with.

Good Luck!

R.Wold · 01-14-2021, 08:49 PM

If you buy valve stem extensions, but good ones - not the cheap stuff at most tire stores, auto parts,stores, walmart etc. Go to a shop that works on big rigs and ask what they use. There’s nothing wrong with extensions as long as it’s good quality stuff.

Otherwise, one of these should do the trick:

ByeTheWay · 01-14-2021, 08:55 PM

One piece long Valve Stems
Your Tire Shop
http://www.yourtireshopsupply.com/

RKins · 01-15-2021, 07:29 AM

I was having a hard time with the outside tires, the valve stem was pointing in toward the inner tire. Real hard to check pressure and air it up. I went to a tire shop that worked on big tires and asked if they could turn the valve stems 90 degrees so they were now pointing toward the hub. Now I can get a a chuck on there easily. They did it without removing the tires from the coach.

Gary RVRoamer · 01-15-2021, 10:21 AM

Turning the valve stems 180 degrees on the outer duals is the simple solution. The only reason they point inward is to make all tires the same so they can be rotated to different positions without altering the valve orientation. Since there is no need for routine tire rotation on a motorhome, that's not a consideration.

Any truck tire shop can do that easily, but the proper procedure involves dismounting the tire to get at the nut that holds the valve in place.

OCM · 01-15-2021, 01:24 PM

Install a "Crossfire" system, and be done with it. You can see if the Dually's are low at a glance, both tires have the same pressure, fill valve is where you can get to it.

brandss · 01-15-2021, 09:16 PM

I've been looking at the crossfire system and wonder if this is a diy install or have to take it to a shop. It's not expensive and like the convenience of one fill point.

nvs4602 · 01-15-2021, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCM

Install a "Crossfire" system, and be done with it. You can see if the Dually's are low at a glance, both tires have the same pressure, fill valve is where you can get to it.

I second the crossfire. I installed them on my class C. Best mod I've done so far.

2 Stroker · 01-15-2021, 11:29 PM

When I got my second set of tires, I had them turn the outside valve stem 180deg and had new 4" extension installed on the inside going on 2 years with 0 air loss. Works great when installing my TST.
2 stroker

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rangerb3 · 01-16-2021, 01:44 AM

Turning the stems is much cheaper than installing Crossfires but I love my Crossfire system...I’m able to fill both tires from a single port, they have visual indicators to quickly identify whether I need an air top-off, and if there is a slow or fast leaking tire, the system will isolate the bad tire preventing the loss of air from the good tire. They also make the installation of my TPM sensors a breeze!

mljackson413 · 01-16-2021, 05:58 AM

Appreciate all the feedback and comments, very helpful.
Seems like there is the Crossfire system and also Cat's Eye for airing duals from one point, and preference or experience with one versus the other?
Thx, Mike