What's Your Experiences with Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems?
Terry and Jo said
12:23 PM Nov 13, 2010
We haven't traveled with our unit much at all. A recent trip to Carthage, MO was our first and only experience with a "long term" drive. Oddly enough, when I was checking all the tire pressures prior to the trip, all the sensors were picked up by the monitor in the cab, and I wasn't even hooked up to the fifth wheel. On the trip itself, we kept getting errors where some or all of the sensors on the fifth wheel weren't even being detected.
Also, coming home through Tulsa, we had one sensor alert that told us that a truck tire was down to 19psi. We immediately pulled off the interstate and found an empty parking lot. When I checked all the tires, none were anythere that low, including the one the sensor had indicated as being low in pressure. When we got back out on the interstate, the system showed the "low" tire to be at normal pressure.
Now, having given you the details of our experience, I have to ask a couple of questions for those that may have something different than what we have. We have an "nVision model 30100VA" tire pressure monitoring system.
1. Does the Pressure Pro product ever give false readings?
2. Does anyone else have nVision, and what are your thoughts on the system?
Terry
Racerguy said
12:41 PM Nov 13, 2010
Terry, I have a Pressure Pro system and have had 1 false alarm in the 7 months we have been on the road. I pulled over, checked the tire that alarmed which was o.k. and pulled the sensor off and reinstalled it. Have not had one since.
Luvglass said
01:49 PM Nov 13, 2010
We don't have any system, but have a number of friends with the Pressure Pro. They get a false alarm once in a while, but not very often.
GENECOP said
02:19 PM Nov 13, 2010
Occasional false warnings, often happens when we just pull off the interstate, something about the quick temp or pressure change I guess. That being said I think it's a worthwhile investment, G
Delaine and Lindy said
06:22 PM Nov 13, 2010
Pressure Pro System since 2005, had one false alarm in 2007 on I-40 in Texas, we were passing another RV not sure if that made a difference?? Its my belief the American made Pressure Pro System is the best system for our use. For more information from the experts contact Pat and Mike McFall, these folks are very Honest and will treat you right.
Paul and Jo said
11:01 PM Nov 13, 2010
Terry and Jo wrote:On the trip itself, we kept getting errors where some or all of the sensors on the fifth wheel weren't even being detected.
Also, coming home through Tulsa, we had one sensor alert that told us that a truck tire was down to 19psi. We immediately pulled off the interstate and found an empty parking lot. When I checked all the tires, none were anythere that low, including the one the sensor had indicated as being low in pressure. When we got back out on the interstate, the system showed the "low" tire to be at normal pressure.
I'm a firm believer in Chaos Theory, and that no system is ever foolproof.
However, I'd rather be with something (I'm a Pressure Pro user) that had the ability to warn me of potential disaster than not have that safeguard. Some false alarms are inherent in any electronic or pneumatic or thermosensor equipment but, I'd rather have a false alarm than a new 5ver, with maybe its towing vehicle, totalled because I didn't think ahead and be prepared.
I like to have insurance on myself, my wife, and anyone who might be travelling with, behind, or beside us. A TPMS was a must for me.
Paul
Froggi said
08:21 AM Nov 14, 2010
I got my Pressure Pro system from Mike & Pat McFall when I got my Class C. Added sensors when I bought my car to tow. Then moved it all to Stu's rig, along with two more sensors, when we got together.
The only false alarms we have had is showing no air when starting out due to 1) poor reception which was improved with a repeater or 2) poor seating on the truck dualies.
One valid alarm, saved us from much worse damage, when the bearings on our middle trailer axle froze and the heat blew the tire.
We won't travel without it...
PatMcFall said
03:35 PM Nov 14, 2010
Terry and Jo wrote:
We haven't traveled with our unit much at all. A recent trip to Carthage, MO was our first and only experience with a "long term" drive. Oddly enough, when I was checking all the tire pressures prior to the trip, all the sensors were picked up by the monitor in the cab, and I wasn't even hooked up to the fifth wheel. On the trip itself, we kept getting errors where some or all of the sensors on the fifth wheel weren't even being detected.
Also, coming home through Tulsa, we had one sensor alert that told us that a truck tire was down to 19psi. We immediately pulled off the interstate and found an empty parking lot. When I checked all the tires, none were anythere that low, including the one the sensor had indicated as being low in pressure. When we got back out on the interstate, the system showed the "low" tire to be at normal pressure.
Now, having given you the details of our experience, I have to ask a couple of questions for those that may have something different than what we have. We have an "nVision model 30100VA" tire pressure monitoring system.
1. Does the Pressure Pro product ever give false readings?
2. Does anyone else have nVision, and what are your thoughts on the system?
Terry
I can explain why some folks occasionally get a false reading from their PressurePro system but I don't know a lot about the nVision system. We did order an nVision system from nVision to do a little research on it. After trying several times to install it, we returned it. It seems that if you are parked close to any other nVision owner (or even some other brand tire pressure monitoring system owner) you may get false readings from their unit. I'm not sure if that is still a problem but at the time we were trying to install the one we had, it was definitely a problem. You will not have that problem with the PressurePro system.
I did send you a private email. Did you get it? Please let me know if I can be of assistance or answer any questions. My phone number is 850-294-0281.
Safe Travels,
Pat
Racerguy said
05:20 PM Nov 14, 2010
Pat, Could you share with us the possible reason for the occasional false alarm ?
PatMcFall said
01:05 PM Nov 15, 2010
Racerguy,
The most common reason for a false alert is poor interaction between the Sensor and the Dill Valve. If the Sensor can't get a proper pressure reading from the tire caused by a worn or damaged dill valve, it can cause a low pressure reading and give a false alert. Of course, there can be some electronic signal "in the air" that can cause a false reading also. It doesn't happen often but it can happen. And, as you probably know, if you program your PressurePro in a "warm" climate and then move to a "cooler" climate, you can get low pressure readings that can cause an alert.
It sounds like the one time you had a false alert, you fixed it by removing the Sensor and reinstalling it. That works most of the time if there are no other problems. Just remember, when you removed it and reinstalled it, the tire was probably warm and the pressure in the tire was higher. That Sensor will now have a higher baseline pressure than your other Sensors. You can reset the Sensor to the recommended "cold" baseline pressure by removing it in the early morning "cool" temperatures, leaving it off for at least a minute and screwing it back on. That will give it the proper baseline pressure.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Safe Travels,
Pat
jb said
01:23 PM Nov 19, 2010
Pat,
Does the use of Valve Extenders have any effect ont the system?
PatMcFall said
06:28 PM Nov 19, 2010
jb wrote:
Pat,
Does the use of Valve Extenders have any effect ont the system?
jb,
It depends on the valve extender. Some of the "cheap" valve extenders won't allow the PressurePro Sensor to get an accurate pressure reading from the tires. PressurePro doesn't recommend using valve extensions unless it is absolutely necessary. If you have to use extenders, you need to use good, quality extenders such as Wheel Masters. Check out their website: Wheel Master
Please let us know if we can answer any other questions.
Safe Travels,
Pat and Mike
island girl said
07:20 PM Nov 21, 2010
We bought a pressure pro system in Quartzite last winter but haven't been able to install it. When we put it on we didn't get an air release on some of the tires...can we get someone to install this properly for us? We are in Hemet CA right now and will be in Yuma in January. Sure would be nice to get this installed on the coach and toad and not just be carrying it around in a box!
heyduke said
07:23 AM Nov 22, 2010
seems to me I would be more concerned with a sensor that didn't give me an alarm when there was actually an issue... anyone with these systems experience this?
Racerguy said
08:14 AM Nov 22, 2010
heyduke wrote:
seems to me I would be more concerned with a sensor that didn't give me an alarm when there was actually an issue... anyone with these systems experience this?
No.
phyllen said
08:54 AM Nov 22, 2010
Would not be with a Pressure Pro. A few months ago we had oil changed at a WalMart. We told them DO NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE. Well, they did their usual checkup and checked tire pressure. We got a few miles from WalMart and all sensors went off. They had installed valves incorrectly. We were riding on almost no air, on 3 month old tires that we spent over 1,100 for.
Whenever we have work performed such as tire rotation, Len takes off valves himself and places them in marked baggies. He then puts them back on himself. We never trust anyone else to do it. In the Walmart case they were told DO NOT TOUCH. But did anyway.
PatMcFall said
03:05 PM Nov 22, 2010
island girl wrote:
We bought a pressure pro system in Quartzite last winter but haven't been able to install it. When we put it on we didn't get an air release on some of the tires...can we get someone to install this properly for us? We are in Hemet CA right now and will be in Yuma in January. Sure would be nice to get this installed on the coach and toad and not just be carrying it around in a box!
Angela and/or Don.......you might not get a "release" of air on your smaller toad tires. Sometimes you won't hear the "hiss of air" but you will still get a pressure reading if you wait the required time. You should get a reading in one minute or less. Did you get any of the Sensors installed? Who was the Dealer that sold you the PressurePro in Quartzsite? They should be able to walk you through the installation process on the phone. If you can't contact them, you can call me. I will try to help you troubleshoot your problem. If we can't figure it out, I'll refer you to the head troubleshooter at the PressurePro Home Office. My phone number is 850-294-0281.
-- Edited by PatMcFall on Monday 22nd of November 2010 03:06:48 PM
island girl said
06:40 PM Nov 22, 2010
Thanks Pat....I guess we will try again. Don said it was the valve extensions on the inside dually's that he couldn't hear an air release and he thought maybe the pins in the valve were seated too deeply but didn't really know and didn't carry on with the installation.
Also, coming home through Tulsa, we had one sensor alert that told us that a truck tire was down to 19psi. We immediately pulled off the interstate and found an empty parking lot. When I checked all the tires, none were anythere that low, including the one the sensor had indicated as being low in pressure. When we got back out on the interstate, the system showed the "low" tire to be at normal pressure.
Now, having given you the details of our experience, I have to ask a couple of questions for those that may have something different than what we have. We have an "nVision model 30100VA" tire pressure monitoring system.
1. Does the Pressure Pro product ever give false readings?
2. Does anyone else have nVision, and what are your thoughts on the system?
Terry
However, I'd rather be with something (I'm a Pressure Pro user) that had the ability to warn me of potential disaster than not have that safeguard. Some false alarms are inherent in any electronic or pneumatic or thermosensor equipment but, I'd rather have a false alarm than a new 5ver, with maybe its towing vehicle, totalled because I didn't think ahead and be prepared.
I like to have insurance on myself, my wife, and anyone who might be travelling with, behind, or beside us. A TPMS was a must for me.
Paul
The only false alarms we have had is showing no air when starting out due to 1) poor reception which was improved with a repeater or 2) poor seating on the truck dualies.
One valid alarm, saved us from much worse damage, when the bearings on our middle trailer axle froze and the heat blew the tire.
We won't travel without it...
I did send you a private email. Did you get it? Please let me know if I can be of assistance or answer any questions. My phone number is 850-294-0281.
Safe Travels,
Pat
Racerguy,
The most common reason for a false alert is poor interaction between the Sensor and the Dill Valve. If the Sensor can't get a proper pressure reading from the tire caused by a worn or damaged dill valve, it can cause a low pressure reading and give a false alert. Of course, there can be some electronic signal "in the air" that can cause a false reading also. It doesn't happen often but it can happen. And, as you probably know, if you program your PressurePro in a "warm" climate and then move to a "cooler" climate, you can get low pressure readings that can cause an alert.
It sounds like the one time you had a false alert, you fixed it by removing the Sensor and reinstalling it. That works most of the time if there are no other problems. Just remember, when you removed it and reinstalled it, the tire was probably warm and the pressure in the tire was higher. That Sensor will now have a higher baseline pressure than your other Sensors. You can reset the Sensor to the recommended "cold" baseline pressure by removing it in the early morning "cool" temperatures, leaving it off for at least a minute and screwing it back on. That will give it the proper baseline pressure.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Safe Travels,
Pat
Does the use of Valve Extenders have any effect ont the system?
jb,
It depends on the valve extender. Some of the "cheap" valve extenders won't allow the PressurePro Sensor to get an accurate pressure reading from the tires. PressurePro doesn't recommend using valve extensions unless it is absolutely necessary. If you have to use extenders, you need to use good, quality extenders such as Wheel Masters. Check out their website: Wheel Master
Please let us know if we can answer any other questions.
Safe Travels,
Pat and Mike
No.
Safe Travels,
Pat
PressurePro Dealer
-- Edited by PatMcFall on Monday 22nd of November 2010 03:06:48 PM