I'm beginning to sense a group purchase. My guess is going direct to the manufacturer with a sizeable quantity should get distributor pricing.
Are there two systems with external sensors that could be whipsawed?
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I'm beginning to sense a group purchase. My guess is going direct to the manufacturer with a sizeable quantity should get distributor pricing.
Are there two systems with external sensors that could be whipsawed?
I am leaning to the new Doran system. http://www.doranmfg.com/rvtirepressuremonitors.htm
I downloaded the manual, and I like the programability of the unit. You set the tire pressure base in the unit, not by filling tire to "correct" amount, and then putting the sensor on. You can change that value at any time.
It has the third wire which connects to ignition so that the unit will sleep and not emit any alarms at night, but as I understand it will still receive the alarms, and notify you when you take the unit out of sleep mode, i,e turn on the key.
On the downside, it's more expensive than the smartire system (external), and doesn't allow filling via the sensor. But, I'm leaning towards putting on the external stems instead.
I'd be happy to contact the manufacturer, to see if they would be willing to do a group purchase.
Ray
Spoke with Debbi Gerdes as Doran Mgf. Asked about a group discount and she referred me to one of their distributors (who happened to be the guy at the FMCA show in Pomona).
He indicated we could get a group rate if we purchased at least 5 units (all in one purchase, one credit card).
5% for 5 units
10% for 10 units
Not sure if it's worth the effort to bundle, and reship units? (although he said one credit card, he didn't say specfically ship to one location)
Ray
We have gotten to the point that some of the batteries are dying with age on our Dorian, first sensor four years old.
Because of no dough I am pulling one off the toad and will do so 3 more times as the need arises. When the fifth sensor fails I am going to switch to the Tricore set-up and for these reasons:
-Way lower purchase price
-The ability to air up through them
-Twice the advertised battery life
-Tire temps. as well as pressures
And what just might be the best feature of all. If you go back to Rays post to their home page and click on brochure there is a picture of a set of duels. On them they have an attachment that fastens the sensors to opposing studs and there is flexible extensions connecting them to the valve stem. Very Cool. The flexible extensions shown are rubber but I know there are stainless braided ones out there I've see them on semi trailers pretty frequently.
Dorian has served me well but it is time to move on. Live and learn.
I will continue to use the Dorian for the toad until the rest of the sensors die then if someone would like the monitor panel you can have it and only have to purchase sensors, for a future favor:)
Well, just as an FYI, I called Pete's Road Service here in CA. They are a mobile tire service, serving the trucking industry. I asked them a few questions, and I thought I would share the answers.
1. I asked him the cost to unmount all my tires, and replace the existing stems with new, non-extended versions. He indicated that would cost about $6 per stem, plus $17-$18 per wheel for labor.
2. I asked if at the time that they had the tire broken down, what it would cost to install an internal tire monitor like the SmarTire system. He didn't know, had never done it, and couldn't quote me a price. (Call two stores)
3. Asked if I wanted to drill a hole into the wheel to put a secondary valve stem on, what that would cost. They wouldn't do it. Advised against it, as potentially damaging the wheel, and inviting wheel failure.
He then offered this sage advice. Best system for tire pressure monitoring is "you and a good tire pressure guage". Go out and check it once a month, he said.
I just thought I would share that!
Ray
Joe, I too am leaning toward the Trikor because I want to be able to fill the tire without removing the sensor. I had some of the little chrome sensors that flash when the air gets low, and the only problem I had with them was they would leak sometimes when I didn't tighten them enough after removing them to fill a tire. I applied a minute amount of pipe dope to the threads and didn't have any more problems. My point being that every time you take any of the sensors off you take a chance of damaging the seals and/or causing a leak.
I just contacted the parent company for some bulk prices. Hopefully this will bypass the jobber. This equipment is manufactured in Japan and designed by HCI Corporation 11245 183rd Street Cerritos, CA 90703. The manager is going to email me with some pricing, perhaps in increments so 10-50 sets. I will let everyone know what they come up with ASAP.
Correction
Its Dales post #36 in this thread that you click on brochure to see the picture of the sensors mounted to the opposing studs for the drive duels.
I have the TriKor system and I think you need the cable antanae to get good reception for the tow, so I think the extra $50 is for the cable. With all the metal in the bus you will need the cable to run down to the drive axle. I have hooked up my drive axles up like the picture in the brochure, with Camping World extensions. Steve and Tim are great people to work with.
Greg
I am planning to order the Tire SafeGuard System from Trikor with the Cabled Antenna for Metal Body coaches. Exactly what is it that I need to order form Camping World to attach to the valve stems to provide added strength to offset the weight of the sensors?
Here is what I did
here is what I did using the flex cable extensions from CW.
I would have to learn more about up loading pictures two times it failed.
Greg
Greg,
Thanks for the pictures. I did get them through my email. Dalef
Greg,
Please check out these post for info on uploading pictures.
http://forum.prevostownersgroup.com/...ture#post17787
Note, you'll also want to use the link in that post above for more details.
ONE VERY IMPORTANT THING.
It seems that the forum is rejecting pictures which are greater than 600 pixels in any dimension. If you're pictures is larger, you'll need to resize the picture first, before attempting to upload.
Ray
One of the owners of this company, Steve Wong, finally got back to me with the information we need. The reason for the delay is that they were making some improvements so their equipment will work well with metal-sided buses like the Prevost. I will try to describe some of this because their website hasn't been updated to reflect this new equipment:Quote:
Originally Posted by Darl-Wilson
First, they have 3 sending units. All report pressure and temperature. Only 2 (One is Jon's choice) give an accurate report of the temp. That is the unit that is strapped to the inside of the wheel with a stainless steel band. The other is for the Toad only and mounts inside the wheel and has a conventional cap with a sending unit. It mounts inside the tire with a valve stem that replaces the regular valve stem. (no 2nd hole in the wheel)
The last is a flow-thru cap that attaches to the valve stem. It also reports the temp but with a wide temp swing since the sensor is outside the tire. If there is a wheel bearing issue or a hung-up brake generating heat this cap could be useful, otherwise it is mostly for the pressure.
The wireless H-Monitor, designed for motorhomes, ( I have the brochure on this if you want it but I can't find this new item on their website) will monitor up to 20 tires. It will sound a preset alarm for both the Toad and the bus.
One final piece of equipment is necessary for a Prevost, a wireless signal booster that will assure a good reading for the rear tires and the Toad. This mounts in a rear bay and uses 110V as an energy source.
The retail price of this package, 8 bus tires, 4 Toad tires, H-Monitor, and signal booster, is $890.00. They are working on a POG discount. Jim is working on them as a sponsor.
I just purchased the set with the flow-thru valve cap-sending units for the bus and the valve stem replacement unit for my Toad. They should be here this week and I will make the installation prior to our July 5th trip to Lake Shasta. Pictures will be posted along with any installation quirks.
One of the reasons I purchased the caps as opposed to the wheel strap-on sensors is the $320 for removing the tires installing the device, and rebalancing/reinstalling the wheels. I can buy the other sensors, maybe just for the front tires, when I replace my rubber. One other improvement they made for the caps is that they are secured with an Allen wrench to prevent theft. The units cost less now and are manufactured in China. Steve said they are high quality. Part of that, he said jokingly, is that he don't have a language barrier with the Chinese, since that is his country of origin.
If anyone has any questions please feel free to call.
I don't know what the price is now but I bought mine on a POGGER discount (post 5 on this thread). I have put mine on flexible extensions so the temp reading is not accurate. I did this becuase I broke both inner duals valve stems because of the weight of the monitor on the long inner duals.
GregM
So, it's now been several months since we discussed all this, and I'm wondering if any have purchased systems, or if there were any new products on the market?
A check check seems to show things haven't changed much. Smartire has a new website, but it's not complete. Checking their dealer list, there are three dealers mentioned, however it seems that Camping World no longer stocks Smartire (at least on their website), nor goes the GeneralRV seem to have any indication of being a Smartire distributor. The third one, a tire dealer did seem to have a very reasonable web presence for Smartire.
2. Is there any change with respect to TireSafeGuard and a POG discount. They seem to offer an in-tire solution (as does Smartire), and are a bit cheaper. I didn't see an option to get internal sensors for the RV and external caps for the toad, which would be a nice combination.
Since I've just sealed the deal on my new coach, I am having all tires replaced (and batteries), which gives me the easy opportunity to have internal monitors installed.
I'm still trying to decide which system to purchase, and where to purchase it. I like the looks of the new Dorian 360RV system, it's very programmable, however, it only has non-flow-thru cap type sensors.
Any thoughts along this line, anyone?
Ray
I am sure that in tire sensors work fine but when it comes time to trade it would be expensive to dismount 8+8 to install the sensors on the new coach,also when a sensor fails that tire must be dismounted to repair it.I don't know how long my pressure pro will work but I can install a new sensor in a few seconds.I think that the new Doran system looks real good,it is similar to the pressure pro.My pressure pro has performed perfectly and no leaks for over a year,I would buy this product again.
Jack,
How did you get your sensor on the inner dually? Do you have the extended dually valve stem, or ??
Ray
Ray,
I also use the Pressure Pro which is very similar to the Dorian. They have performed flawlessly for more than 2 years now. I have removed them several times for routine airups, tire changes, etc and they reseal with no problems. Battery life can be prolonged by unplugging the controller unit when the bus is not being used.
When installing or removing, one has to be careful not to overtighten. That said, I use a 1" six point socket with an extension only (no handle or ratchet) on the inner dual to obtain finger-tight torque. All other sensors are finger tightened.
Ray,Both of my coaches had a 6 inch extender with a rubber gromet from Alcoa that stabilizes the extension.I have not had a pressure pro sensor leak but I have replaced a extension.
Thanks, guys!
I'm just curious....why can't these tire pressure monitors be used with Equal? I have tried to find anything in the literature on line that says its use is prohibited and can't find anything.
The reason I ask is if that is the case the true cost of a system then must include Centramatics or their equvalent, right? I'm not opposed to either because there is way too much evidence that both have done a great job. But I still struggle with external sensors and the fact that you rely on that single seal, and you have the extra weight spinning around on the valve stems.
How do you remove the inward facing sensors from the outer drive wheel?
Loosen the nut around the stem and spin the stem around to a desirable position.
Right or wrong that is the way I dealt with it.
Tire Safeguard that is what I am switching to I went into detail in post 44 of this thread. I currently have pressure pro. Jon has a decent point about acess.
This product adresses all the issues and if correctly installed will provide reliable trouble free service.
How about it Will how is yours working
I use a 180 degree extender on the outside dual,it will tighten and will not rotate,the one that I bought is made out of stainless tubing.
I'm curious about different pressure values for different axles. In my previous coach, following Michelin guidelines, I ran something like 125, 110, 95 in my front, drive and tag axles.
In looking at the documentation for the TireSafeGuard unit, there is a single low pressure warning level. Given my pressures from above, my tag axle is already 30 pounds under pressure.
How is this handled?
On the Smartire unit, and I believe the new Dorian unit (360RV), I believe these are independently settable per axle, if not per wheel.
Thanks,
Ray
Ray
When you screw your sensor in any particular tire the pressure is senses is that tires baseline and if it goes down 10%n the alarm goes off. If you have 100 in the tire it goes off at 90. If your tire is inflated to 80 it goes off at 72.
They advertise twice the battery life at half the cost of pressure pro. You can air through them and I like the mounts on two opposing studs connecting the sensor to the valve stem with flexible tubing.
Jack yes there are stainless valve stems.
Jon many many truckers are safely and reliably using these flexible tubings attatched to the valve stems. Many go to a cats eye that equalizes the pressure in the duels. The flex tube is attatched half way down with a bracket and the 2 sensors attatch to opposing wheel studs with little disruption to balance.
Take the savings and get the ballance rings.
I called the TireSafeGuard guys and left a message. Steve Wong called me later this evening. He indicated that indeed pressures can be set per axle, but he indicated the manuals on the website were out-of-date, and wouldn't show that.
He promised to email me newer manuals, but as yet I haven't received them. Maybe tomorrow. I was more specifically asking about in-tire monitors, rather than the screw on. He did indicate you can mix and match however. For example, I'm thinking I would want in-tire on the bus, but screw-on for my toad.
Still haven't made a final decision yet.
Ray
Jon,
The Pressure Pro Installation Manual FAQ page includes the following statement ref the use of equal:
"CAN I USE A SEALANT OR EQUALIZER POWDER IN THE TIRE WITH PRESSUREPRO? It’s recommended to use a filtered Dill Valve if using sealants or equalizing substances. Sealant can plug up the valve core and shut off pressures in stems."
When I purchased the system and asked the question about equal, I was told not to use either equal or internal tire sealants. I would suspect the sales folks were not aware of the existence of a filtered Dill Valve. Since the sensor is the only seal, I wouldn't feel comfortable with foreign material in the tire in any event.
The sensors screw on the inward facing valve stems easily and only require finger tightening. Remember that the lighter weight wheels used with 40 footers have large lightening holes. It may be necessary to rotate the valve stems on wheels with the smaller holes.
Thanks. I just did a tire check and timed it and it took about a minute. But I think the real benefit is if a tire goes down while driving. I just have to think this through because since I have been using the double seal fill through caps I have had to adjust pressures by a pound or two between trips and I hate to give up that feature.
The tire filling tool I use (bright red hose) is also my pressure checker and can be used without attaching an air hose for that purpose. I use no valve stem extensions and reaching the inner drive tire valve stem is easy.
I hate to go back to a single seal and have to carry around tools to remove the caps (sensors) although I suspect that is mitigated by being able to read pressures at the dash, and only those that need to be adjusted require attention.
So, after researching (again) the various possibilities out there, I've decided to get the Smartire internal mounted system.
It was a little hard to find any real information, as it seems the only US distributor is Dickman Tires in Junction City, OR. But, I got ahold of their inhouse expert, and I'm pretty confident in what I'm getting.
This is the system:
http://www.dickmantires.com/SmarTire/gen2rv.html
and they have a new optional display that I think really looks nice.
http://www.dickmantires.com/SmarTire...e_display.html
Price for 12 sensor (8 + 4) is around $1399. I'm just waiting to hear back from Marathon about installation. I'm hoping they will be able to install the electronics, and their tire service to install the sensors when I re-tire the bus.
I went back and forth about internal vs external, and almost went with the new Doran 360RV (I like the programmability of it), but in the end, I want internal sensors, and I really liked the round guage display option with Smartire.
So, now to "get 'er done"
Ray