Tire Monitor systems

[Jon Wehrenberg]

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?

[Ray Davis]

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

[Ray Davis]

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

[Joe Cannarozzi]

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

[Ray Davis]

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

[dale farley]

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.

[Darl-Wilson]

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.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

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.

[gmcbuffalo]

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

[dale farley]

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?