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Old 02-19-2016, 01:09 AM   #1
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Tire Minder Question

Those of you who have Tire Minders or the equivalent on you RVs, do you take them off the valve stems when you store the vehicle for any length of time?

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Old 02-19-2016, 02:02 AM   #2
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Yes, i remove them when not on a trip. Probably less wear and tear on them from the sun etc. Also less exposure to have them tampered with.
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Old 02-19-2016, 03:53 AM   #3
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And removing them extends the battery life... They don't transmit when zero pressure detected - which is the case when removed.

Of course if you registered your unit new - replacement batteries are free (at least when I did mine this past fall)
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Old 02-19-2016, 11:06 AM   #4
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I am looking at a Toad (flat tow, four down) that has a TMPS for the four tires on it. Is there anyway for Tire Minder - or another system - to remotely access a system already installed on a Toad (or thier sensors) or do you need to get 4 more sensors for the Toads tire?

I am new to towing as such this will be my first set-up when I get to it. But since it appears that some wiring is shared between the RV and Toad for the likes of the lights, brakes, power for ACC...can the Toad's TPMS be tapped into?

Doc
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Old 02-19-2016, 12:33 PM   #5
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Not aware of any system that will tap into the existing toad tpms system. Would be nice - but likely each manufacturers system is different...
Only power is shared by the standard wiring harness. My toad brakes (invisibrake) adds a single wire for a monitor light on the MH dash.

One thing to note - on a toad with a TPMS - the valve stems are aluminum. Some other metals will react with aluminum in a bad way...
TireMinder (and I assume others) make special aluminum sensors to use with a toad that already has a tpms. Make sure you get the correct ones.
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Old 02-19-2016, 12:48 PM   #6
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Thanks, the instructions I got from Kia was that the Toad's ignition switch needs to be in the ACC position...that will be a draw on the Toad's battery. I had hoped there was some wiring that would eliminate that load by drawing off the RV's wiring harnes for the brakes and such.

Like I said, first year newbie here; never toad before (except in the Military with a Deuce and a half and a water buffalo).

Doc
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Old 02-19-2016, 12:59 PM   #7
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Charging is possible... That is just power from the RV - which is available.
One of the wires on the 7 pin wiring harness is a 'charging' pin (sometimes called accessory, auxiliary, or just 12v power) - always on with 12v... The wiring harness on the toad and/or the brake system needs to take advantage of it...

In my case, the Invisibrake attaches directly to the toad battery (has to to work in a 'breakaway' situation - but also takes the power from the RV and uses it to keep the toad battery charged:
Quote:
InvisiBrake connects directly to the towed vehicle’s battery and constantly charges the battery during towing (InvisiBrake will never drain the battery).
Some wiring harness diagrams:
https://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx
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Old 02-19-2016, 01:28 PM   #8
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Thanks again. Off to the dealership to haggle on the cost of a Kia Soul, manual transmission. I have the updated 2015 Kia Soul Technical Service Bulletin regarding flat towing (so I know it is allowed).

Anyone recently purchase a 2016 or 2015 Kia Soul with Manual transmission and care to share what was paid?

Right now I am looking at $13.5 out the door no trade-in.

Doc
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Old 02-19-2016, 02:53 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oneilkeys View Post
Those of you who have Tire Minders or the equivalent on you RVs, do you take them off the valve stems when you store the vehicle for any length of time?
I leave mine on and plan to replace them in 5 years as the batteries give out. There is one system that has replaceable batteries but I don't remember the name of it.
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Old 02-19-2016, 05:17 PM   #10
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One thing to consider in leaving the sensors on is the metal used on the sensor and the valve stems on your RV. I have read cases where the sensors were left on and, due to the use of incompatible metals, the galvanic corrosion was so bad the valve stems had to be cut to remove the sensors.

Taking them off periodically allows for inspection and cleaning of the mating surfaces.
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Old 02-19-2016, 05:34 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by brucev View Post
I leave mine on and plan to replace them in 5 years as the batteries give out. There is one system that has replaceable batteries but I don't remember the name of it.
The TST507 flow-through system uses sensors with replaceable batteries (the sensors use a standard watch-type wafer battery). The sensors also allow pressure checks with a gauge and addition of air through the sensors without removing them.

I've been using this system on both our truck and 5th wheel since mid-year 2014. I don't remove the sensors, and I'm still on the original batteries with no problems.

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Old 02-19-2016, 06:39 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by dstankov View Post
One thing to consider in leaving the sensors on is the metal used on the sensor and the valve stems on your RV. I have read cases where the sensors were left on and, due to the use of incompatible metals, the galvanic corrosion was so bad the valve stems had to be cut to remove the sensors.

Taking them off periodically allows for inspection and cleaning of the mating surfaces.
Good point. I live right on the ocean and have problems with salt spray and corrosion. I have to fight it all the time.
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Old 02-19-2016, 11:33 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dstankov View Post
One thing to consider in leaving the sensors on is the metal used on the sensor and the valve stems on your RV. I have read cases where the sensors were left on and, due to the use of incompatible metals, the galvanic corrosion was so bad the valve stems had to be cut to remove the sensors.

Taking them off periodically allows for inspection and cleaning of the mating surfaces.
Exactly the issue I was referring to with my caution about toads with built in TPMS:
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmc View Post
One thing to note - on a toad with a TPMS - the valve stems are aluminum. Some other metals will react with aluminum in a bad way...
TireMinder (and I assume others) make special aluminum sensors to use with a toad that already has a tpms. Make sure you get the correct ones.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Oneilkeys View Post
Good point. I live right on the ocean and have problems with salt spray and corrosion. I have to fight it all the time.
Salt is a whole different issue.. the 'cost' of living on the ocean..
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Old 02-19-2016, 11:49 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by gmc
Salt is a whole different issue.. the 'cost' of living on the ocean..
Or driving on Michigan roads in the winter.
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Old 07-03-2016, 02:14 AM   #15
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I have tire minder and leave units on year around. Just had got low battery indicator and replaced all batteries at start of 3rd season of use. Not near salt water so no corrosion concerns.
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