I am trying to decide on the best method for inflating the inner tire of my new 2019 f350 dually. When I was researching for a flexible valve stem extender + brace I read of the potential for leaks with extenders. Has anyone come up with a viable solution to inflating the inner tire? Is using the dual head air chuck that comes with my Viair 400P-RV the only good solution?
Hans
arcaguy said
10:20 PM Feb 28, 2019
An extender and brace would likely throw the wheel out of balance as wheel balancing weights start at I think 1/4 oz. Just something to think about.
There is more than one issue with the extenders. I've found that on one of my truck's front tires, and extension is malfunctioning. While for some reason the tire pressure monitoring system gets a pressure, if I go to try to inflate the tire, I have to remove the extender in order to do that. For some reason, the extender really slows down inflation.
Terry
Rickl said
08:06 AM Mar 1, 2019
There are a hand full of different ways to address this issue. Best way in my opinion is to have longer stems installed, extenders will work (make sure that they are a high quality extender, like Dill), or the flexible extensions with the brace would be my last choice. Either the installed stem or extension is going to have a negligible impact on wheel assembly imbalance. The flexible extension with have a little but being close to the center you may not even notice.
Just remember any extension used can be another source of a potential leak, however quality extensions utilize o rings to prevent any air loss. You’ll need to find a reputable commercial truck tire dealer to find them. Your Discount Tire or Big O, or other passenger/light truck dealers are generally clueless as they don’t deal with large fleets.
Cummins12V98 said
11:31 AM Mar 1, 2019
"Is using the dual head air chuck that comes with my Viair 400P-RV the only good solution?"
YES!!!
olderthandirt said
11:34 AM Mar 1, 2019
Thanks to you all for your replies. Reading posts on other forums has also convinced me to stay away from extenders. I tested out the dual head chuck that comes with the Viair system and I do have the clearance with that chuck to get to the inner tire. I also discovered that the stem caps are the pass-thru type so I won't have to play magician to try to get the cap off. The Viair chuck does seem to have a problem with its angle of attachment to the outer tire valve stem - the outer portion of the rim of the outer wheel seems to keep the chuck from making a true connection to the valve stem. I attempted to address this by ordering a 'Milton Window Inflator Air Gauge — Dual-Head Straight Chuck, 1/4in. Inlet, Model# S-516' from Northern Tool. I'm hoping that the hose attached to the chuck will give me the flexibility to correctly seat its chuck on the valve stem. Once the part arrives I will give an update on just how well it works on all 6 tires.
Hans
Terry and Jo said
07:28 PM Mar 1, 2019
Hans,
Back in the day when I dealt with working at a old time type gas station and dealt with truck tires, Milton was the brand name to use. For that reason, I have Milton dual chuck on both my filler fitting and my tire pressure gauge. I didn't use the window type filler and gauge except on passenger tires. I've not kept up with them over the years, so I don't know what the maximum pressure of the gauge is on those units. We did see that the pressure gauge could be off just a bit after one lets off of the air filler lever. With the manual pressure gauge, I have a tendency to put the tester on, hold it fast in place and then reach down and slightly push up on the pressure readout bar to insure it is in the right place before checking the pressure. Those can bump out just a wee bit too far.
We are also dealing with air pressures in our Mobile Suites tires at 125 psi, so I wanted a good truck type pressure gauge.
Terry
olderthandirt said
01:14 PM Mar 2, 2019
Terry, thanks for sharing. I believe this Milton is good up to 160lbs in 2 lb increments.
Neil and Connie said
03:07 PM Mar 2, 2019
I've got both an angled chuck and one with a gauge and flexible rubber hose…I've used both depending on exactly where the inside dualley stem is located. It's actually easier on the 5500HD as there's more space between the tires than I had on the F450. With the older truck I had to reach through the holes in the rim and that's hard so I had to move the truck to get the inside stems at exactly the right spot…about 4:30 as you look at the wheel. With the 5500 HD…I just need to make sure it's on the right side between 1 and 5 someplace and I can get my hand in between the tires to hold the chuck on…then stick it through the smaller holes in the RAM rims…the holes in them are too small to get your hand through.
olderthandirt said
11:45 AM Mar 3, 2019
Neil, sounds like I'm going to have fun no matter what chuck I'll be be using.
I did exactly as David did and have had the extenders on for three years without incident. No imbalance noted in the rear wheels and no abnormal wear in 40K miles. I think the dually assembly being heavy plus the weight of the extender assembly being very near the center of the wheel that it has much less affect than something mounted near the outer edge of the rim. We did "re clock" our wheels to put the air valves at 180 apart because Ford puts them at the same place, this re clocking helped with the imbalance issues. There is certainly a risk of failure as you would expect with extra connections, etc. But we haven't had so much as an air leak. Makes getting the TPMS sensors on and off a breeze and when/if air is required, it is equally easy. I set my tire pressure in the spring, before we head out and have yet to make an adjustment on the road. YMMV.
-- Edited by RonC on Sunday 3rd of March 2019 12:05:01 PM
olderthandirt said
12:52 PM Mar 3, 2019
Ron, I have an EEZRV TPMS kit for the trailler but as of right now don't have additional sensors for the truck. These sensors are not the flow-thru type. Once the new flexible chuck arrives I will check out just what is possible. I may wind up having to clock the rears for better access and I will see if I also have to add extenders (which right now I hopefully won't have to). I still have a month and a half before my scheduled fiver delivery date so I at least have a short while to figure things out, including whether or not I want additional sensors for the truck. At least right now I can monitor the tire pressures thru the Ford setup. Thanks for the link to your success story. Here's hoping that mine will turn out just as successful.
Hans
RonC said
02:10 PM Mar 3, 2019
olderthandirt wrote:
Ron, I have an EEZRV TPMS kit for the trailler but as of right now don't have additional sensors for the truck. These sensors are not the flow-thru type. Once the new flexible chuck arrives I will check out just what is possible. I may wind up having to clock the rears for better access and I will see if I also have to add extenders (which right now I hopefully won't have to). I still have a month and a half before my scheduled fiver delivery date so I at least have a short while to figure things out, including whether or not I want additional sensors for the truck. At least right now I can monitor the tire pressures thru the Ford setup. Thanks for the link to your success story. Here's hoping that mine will turn out just as successful.
Hans
I don't have the flow thru sensors. Started out with them, but found they were not needed since the extensions put all the monitors with easy access. As you can see, David used the flow thru's. With the TST system, the anti lock feature of the non flow thru's can be left off and the actual sensor is just a bit larger than a valve cap and a bit lighter, plus I don't need the "special tool" to remove them (which is a PITA). Theft of the TPMS sensors is more a fear than a reality. Never had a problem. Those who know what they are already have them, and those who don't wouldn't know what they are ... so a non-issue for me.
A more elegant solution would be for the truck to have "real" TPMS system (temp and pressure on all 6 tires). I have a 2016 Ford so no TPMS, the newer trucks may have this.
-- Edited by RonC on Sunday 3rd of March 2019 02:13:38 PM
olderthandirt said
04:21 PM Mar 3, 2019
RonC wrote:
olderthandirt wrote:
Ron, I have an EEZRV TPMS kit for the trailler but as of right now don't have additional sensors for the truck. These sensors are not the flow-thru type. Once the new flexible chuck arrives I will check out just what is possible. I may wind up having to clock the rears for better access and I will see if I also have to add extenders (which right now I hopefully won't have to). I still have a month and a half before my scheduled fiver delivery date so I at least have a short while to figure things out, including whether or not I want additional sensors for the truck. At least right now I can monitor the tire pressures thru the Ford setup. Thanks for the link to your success story. Here's hoping that mine will turn out just as successful.
Hans
I don't have the flow thru sensors. Started out with them, but found they were not needed since the extensions put all the monitors with easy access. As you can see, David used the flow thru's. With the TST system, the anti lock feature of the non flow thru's can be left off and the actual sensor is just a bit larger than a valve cap and a bit lighter, plus I don't need the "special tool" to remove them (which is a PITA). Theft of the TPMS sensors is more a fear than a reality. Never had a problem. Those who know what they are already have them, and those who don't wouldn't know what they are ... so a non-issue for me.
A more elegant solution would be for the truck to have "real" TPMS system (temp and pressure on all 6 tires). I have a 2016 Ford so no TPMS, the newer trucks may have this.
My 2019 F350 has a TPMS without the T. I also have a manual laser heat sensor which I plan on using at all rest stops so right now I'm not contemplating a 'T' addition to the Ford system. If it turns out there is room above the valve stem I may get additional TPMS sensors.
-- Edited by RonC on Sunday 3rd of March 2019 02:13:38 PM
olderthandirt said
10:37 AM Mar 14, 2019
Quick update on my ordered Milton Window Inflator Air Gauge — Dual-Head Straight Chuck, 1/4in. Inlet, Model# S-516' from Northern Tool. The flexible hose appears to give me the clearance I need to inflate the outer rear tires so right now I don't see a need to add extenders. Thanks to everyone for their input.
Hans
Dave MW said
12:32 PM Mar 16, 2019
I would go to a truck stop and ask if they can put the longer, curved, extended stems on all four rear wheels. If they can, have them do it. This is what has been used on big trucks for many years with no problems. If you rotate the tires, you may have these stems installed on the front and spare wheels as well while you're at it. Just make sure before you leave that the stem of the inside wheel is pointing through an opening of the outside wheel. Then go inside the store and buy a pressure gauge that has the two-face head at an angle. The outside wheel stem will be pointing inwards. You'll use one face on the inside wheel stem and the other face to check the air on the outside wheel stem. Get one of the longer hand gauges. They're easier to handle.
The reason I suggest going to a truck stop and asking first is, you will get better quality, high pressure parts, both stems and gauge, and a better quality job from someone who actually knows heavy duty wheel and tire applications and not some kid that needs to pull his paints up and that has his cell phone growing from one ear. The truck stop mechanic is less likely to mount the wheels back on your truck oriented incorrectly such that you cannot check the air in the inside tire. But don't assume, check this before you leave just in case. It can, and does happen even when getting a new tire mounted on a big truck. But it's extremely rare because this can happen for almost every wheel that mechanic mounts. He's used to checking for this. Also ask to make sure that they put the outside wheel on with the two stems as close to 180 degrees apart as possible. I don't know what wheels you have or your lug pattern in relation to wheel openings. It might be you can't get a hole in the outside wheel to line up exactly 180 degrees apart.
The kid with the cell phone has never thought of this. The stems and gauge sold at the auto parts store are likely made to lower standards. Truck drivers won't buy cheap, unreliable pressure gauges. Some of which don't even go up to 110 psi. A good one from a truck stop should go to 125 psi.
While this is being done, you can go into the restaurant and enjoy a nice, 5-star truck stop lunch. Around mid-day is generally a slower time for the shop.
olderthandirt said
05:09 PM Mar 16, 2019
Thanks Dave,
Having the rear tire stems mounted 180 deg apart was on my to-do list. Still mulling over having extended stems put on all fours.
I am trying to decide on the best method for inflating the inner tire of my new 2019 f350 dually. When I was researching for a flexible valve stem extender + brace I read of the potential for leaks with extenders. Has anyone come up with a viable solution to inflating the inner tire? Is using the dual head air chuck that comes with my Viair 400P-RV the only good solution?
Hans
This article may also help you out: www.truckcampermagazine.com/question-of-the-week/maintain-inside-dually-tire-pressure/
Hans,
There is more than one issue with the extenders. I've found that on one of my truck's front tires, and extension is malfunctioning. While for some reason the tire pressure monitoring system gets a pressure, if I go to try to inflate the tire, I have to remove the extender in order to do that. For some reason, the extender really slows down inflation.
Terry
Just remember any extension used can be another source of a potential leak, however quality extensions utilize o rings to prevent any air loss. You’ll need to find a reputable commercial truck tire dealer to find them. Your Discount Tire or Big O, or other passenger/light truck dealers are generally clueless as they don’t deal with large fleets.
YES!!!
Hans
Hans,
Back in the day when I dealt with working at a old time type gas station and dealt with truck tires, Milton was the brand name to use. For that reason, I have Milton dual chuck on both my filler fitting and my tire pressure gauge. I didn't use the window type filler and gauge except on passenger tires. I've not kept up with them over the years, so I don't know what the maximum pressure of the gauge is on those units. We did see that the pressure gauge could be off just a bit after one lets off of the air filler lever. With the manual pressure gauge, I have a tendency to put the tester on, hold it fast in place and then reach down and slightly push up on the pressure readout bar to insure it is in the right place before checking the pressure. Those can bump out just a wee bit too far.
We are also dealing with air pressures in our Mobile Suites tires at 125 psi, so I wanted a good truck type pressure gauge.
Terry
Terry, thanks for sharing. I believe this Milton is good up to 160lbs in 2 lb increments.
I've got both an angled chuck and one with a gauge and flexible rubber hose…I've used both depending on exactly where the inside dualley stem is located. It's actually easier on the 5500HD as there's more space between the tires than I had on the F450. With the older truck I had to reach through the holes in the rim and that's hard so I had to move the truck to get the inside stems at exactly the right spot…about 4:30 as you look at the wheel. With the 5500 HD…I just need to make sure it's on the right side between 1 and 5 someplace and I can get my hand in between the tires to hold the chuck on…then stick it through the smaller holes in the RAM rims…the holes in them are too small to get your hand through.
Neil, sounds like I'm going to have fun no matter what chuck I'll be be using.
Try this link ... rv-dreams.activeboard.com/t62656831/tpms-success-story/
I did exactly as David did and have had the extenders on for three years without incident. No imbalance noted in the rear wheels and no abnormal wear in 40K miles. I think the dually assembly being heavy plus the weight of the extender assembly being very near the center of the wheel that it has much less affect than something mounted near the outer edge of the rim. We did "re clock" our wheels to put the air valves at 180 apart because Ford puts them at the same place, this re clocking helped with the imbalance issues. There is certainly a risk of failure as you would expect with extra connections, etc. But we haven't had so much as an air leak. Makes getting the TPMS sensors on and off a breeze and when/if air is required, it is equally easy. I set my tire pressure in the spring, before we head out and have yet to make an adjustment on the road. YMMV.
-- Edited by RonC on Sunday 3rd of March 2019 12:05:01 PM
Ron, I have an EEZRV TPMS kit for the trailler but as of right now don't have additional sensors for the truck. These sensors are not the flow-thru type. Once the new flexible chuck arrives I will check out just what is possible. I may wind up having to clock the rears for better access and I will see if I also have to add extenders (which right now I hopefully won't have to). I still have a month and a half before my scheduled fiver delivery date so I at least have a short while to figure things out, including whether or not I want additional sensors for the truck. At least right now I can monitor the tire pressures thru the Ford setup. Thanks for the link to your success story. Here's hoping that mine will turn out just as successful.
Hans
I don't have the flow thru sensors. Started out with them, but found they were not needed since the extensions put all the monitors with easy access. As you can see, David used the flow thru's. With the TST system, the anti lock feature of the non flow thru's can be left off and the actual sensor is just a bit larger than a valve cap and a bit lighter, plus I don't need the "special tool" to remove them (which is a PITA). Theft of the TPMS sensors is more a fear than a reality. Never had a problem. Those who know what they are already have them, and those who don't wouldn't know what they are ... so a non-issue for me.
A more elegant solution would be for the truck to have "real" TPMS system (temp and pressure on all 6 tires). I have a 2016 Ford so no TPMS, the newer trucks may have this.
-- Edited by RonC on Sunday 3rd of March 2019 02:13:38 PM
Hans
The reason I suggest going to a truck stop and asking first is, you will get better quality, high pressure parts, both stems and gauge, and a better quality job from someone who actually knows heavy duty wheel and tire applications and not some kid that needs to pull his paints up and that has his cell phone growing from one ear. The truck stop mechanic is less likely to mount the wheels back on your truck oriented incorrectly such that you cannot check the air in the inside tire. But don't assume, check this before you leave just in case. It can, and does happen even when getting a new tire mounted on a big truck. But it's extremely rare because this can happen for almost every wheel that mechanic mounts. He's used to checking for this. Also ask to make sure that they put the outside wheel on with the two stems as close to 180 degrees apart as possible. I don't know what wheels you have or your lug pattern in relation to wheel openings. It might be you can't get a hole in the outside wheel to line up exactly 180 degrees apart.
The kid with the cell phone has never thought of this. The stems and gauge sold at the auto parts store are likely made to lower standards. Truck drivers won't buy cheap, unreliable pressure gauges. Some of which don't even go up to 110 psi. A good one from a truck stop should go to 125 psi.
While this is being done, you can go into the restaurant and enjoy a nice, 5-star truck stop lunch.
Having the rear tire stems mounted 180 deg apart was on my to-do list. Still mulling over having extended stems put on all fours.
Hans