Issue Installing a TPMS

[smedsga]

All,

We just purchased a 2022 Thor Challenger 37 FH and we are newbies so I've been spending a lot of time on YouTube. Today I was installing a TPMS (EezTire) on the coach. Installation was going great until I tried to install the sensors on the inside tires of the rear axle. The inside tires have the valve stem extender out to front rear tire rim. When I installed the sensors it shows no pressure. I removed the sensor and manual pushed down the pin in the stem. Normally I would expect to hear the sound of escaping air. In this case there was nothing. The tires are not flat. The dealership is telling me that those stem extensions are a one-way valve allowing you to add air. I have a call into Ford to ask for an explanation. Has anyone encountered this situation? Sorry for the long post. Thank you.

[ducksface]

Ford doesn't know.
If they are one way, buy some that aren't.
You're $20 away from a solution.

Also:
Tpms, especially the brand you and I have, ARE NOT accurate pressure guages.
They'll be off five-ish psi, up or down and that will vary.
They are for differentiation and calamity alarm ONLY.
Do not expect to be able to air your tires per that tpms.
Get a handheld gauge.

Also
Buy extra batteries now.
The battery they use are watch batteries and I have not found them to be common at grocery stores or walmart.
Buy the correct little screwdriver and keep it in the coach with the batteries.

[16ACE27]

As DF said, Ford won't know - they didn't install the extenders - Thor did.
Both my OEM extenders and the ones I bought to replace them with were NOT one-way. How are you supposed to check the air pressure in the tire if they are one-way? Sounds like BS to cover up the fact that they are not installed properly on the valve stem they are supposed to be attached to.

[smedsga]

Ducksface -- thanks for the words of wisdom. I did purchase a handheld heavy duty tire pressure gauge. Additionally, I purchased a VIAIR 450P-RV air compressor. We do rent an indoor storage space. They check the tire pressure before every trip. Part of my teardown checklist at the camping site is to manually check the tire pressure before hitting the road. Once again, thanks for all the info.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by smedsga

All,

We just purchased a 2022 Thor Challenger 37 FH and we are newbies so I've been spending a lot of time on YouTube. Today I was installing a TPMS (EezTire) on the coach. Installation was going great until I tried to install the sensors on the inside tires of the rear axle. The inside tires have the valve stem extender out to front rear tire rim. When I installed the sensors it shows no pressure. I removed the sensor and manual pushed down the pin in the stem. Normally I would expect to hear the sound of escaping air. In this case there was nothing. The tires are not flat. The dealership is telling me that those stem extensions are a one-way valve allowing you to add air. I have a call into Ford to ask for an explanation. Has anyone encountered this situation? Sorry for the long post. Thank you.

Bulls$&@. Find a reputable dealer. Never heard of one way extenders on valve stems.

[smedsga]

I did call Thor and they (along with the dealership) said this is part of the chassis warranty provided by Ford. Thor gave me a number for Ford Motorhome Customer Assistance -- still waiting on a call back. I was very suspicious of the one-way valve explanation provided by the dealership. During my USAF days, we called this the old military shuffle. Thank you for the feedback.

[abjbrtd]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

Bulls$&@. Find a reputable dealer. Never heard of one way extenders on valve stems.

Valve extenders are generally NOT worth the time (lots of time for me) STRESS or $.
Getting the extender valve core adjusted just right is

You'll need one of these. Best of luck, you'll use it and use it again AND still get false alarms and EVEN WORSE no alarm, NOT THE TPMS fault, its reading the tiny amount of air trapped between the non working valve extender and itself!

I gave up on inner wheel extenders, I got my 15 yr old granddaughter to install the senders onto the valve

[ducksface]

5,900 mile trip.
3lbs difference in one tire,
No change in the others,

Same parking place, same temperature, same altitude.
Calibrated digital gauge to a tenth psi, super dry air in tires,
Cheap extenders.
A dozen cars prior, same outcome.

I have thrown away two bad extenders. $4 to replace.
Found bad upon initial installation, never installed.