Community Forums

Dsouthw524 · 03-21-2009, 05:45 AM

I am aware of the recomendation for the use of a long air hose fill extension when airing up the tires as recommended by Ford and others for safety. Where the heck does one get such a thing?

Wayne M · 03-21-2009, 08:04 AM

DSouthw524,
Almost all RV dealers carry them, along with most automotive stores. I would recommend the metal mesh ones. Here is an example of what they look like:

Valve Extensions (Bolded Link)

I think that is what you are looking for.

A google search on "valve extension" will get a lot of results.

Gary RVRoamer · 03-21-2009, 08:33 AM

I don't think that is the kind of extension DSouthw524 was asking about, Wayne. It is now recommended that you do not stay by the tire when adding air - in case the tire fails and explodes. Instead you should be 15-20 feet away, basically using a long filler hose that clamps to the valve and has the trigger/valve at the other end, so you do not have to be physically adjacent to the tire. I don't know where to buy such a thing. Professional tire shop suppliers probably have them, but the longest I have seen online is a 6 foot hose. Might be enough to save a life, but longer would be better.

FleetMan · 03-21-2009, 09:48 AM

This will probably ignite a Mother Hood, Apple Pie and Safety At All Costs argument but the most critical time inflating a tire is after it is first mounted on the rim during tire build up. At that time, a tire cage and extended inflation hose with gauge, referred to by Gary in the above comment, is definitely a must from a safety standpoint. In the real world of fleet operations, a tire blowing when air pressure is being adjusted in normal tire/air pressure maintenance is extremely rare. Can it happen? Has it ever happened? Yes! And those failures are usually associated with a "zipper" failure - damage to the bead area usually caused by running a tire in an under inflated condition.

Dsouthw524 · 03-23-2009, 04:43 AM

Yes, I am talking about the kind used to fill the tire to top off when needed. I think of the safety warning when doing it and also after reading on the site about the dangers of "zippered" tires and the nasty results.

Max Hubrich · 03-23-2009, 06:41 AM

DSouthW524,

Here is the type tool you need:

The internal threaded collar will "lock" the chuck onto the valve stem with just the slightest pressure on to the filling hose-- Then walk away from it while it fills the tire. Make sure your air source is regulated and set to the pressure you desire. I purchased the one in the picture about 5 years ago at NAPA (I think).

This is where you can get one--$11 bucks----

Good luck,