SNQ - Tire maintenance for duallies

[Bogie]

SNQ = Stupid newbie questions.

I am looking for what is the easiest way for me to check/maintain tire pressure on a dually setup (E-350).

I have an electric air pump that works great for cars/motorcycle and even though it says 110PSI, when I hook it up to the RV, it lets more air out then it puts in and doesn't "seal" like it does on the car. Seems to have a long post to relieve air pressure in the stem.

Of course one side has a valve stem extender for the inner tire and one does not and there is no way I can reach that inner tire to check the air pressure, and again, trying to get a reading with a tire pressure stick provides pretty unreliable results for that tire.

Also any advice for getting the shiny "wheel covers" off? Do they just pry off from the edge?

[Snarltoof]

Same question! And I also have a 2018 E-350 chassis. It's really hard to reach the valve stems on the inner dually wheels, and also my car tire pump is at the wrong angle to fit on the outer wheel valve stems. What tool do you use for checking and filling tire pressure?

[Skip 500]

I plan on getting valve stem extenders also but I am also curious how to remove the wheel covers. Do the lug nut covers screw on or slip on? Or, are they attached to the wheelcover?

[Gary A]

I currently have tire valve extenders and I can get a reading on one inside tire but not the other. Pain in the, uh, neck. I'm gonna follow this thread hoping to get some good ideas. Can't get a good read from the valve extenders....GRRR

[Hokie-Dave]

Bogie, The wheel covers just pry from the edge if they are like the ones on my e-450. For checking the inside tires, I use an electronic gauge that has a long extension like this one from TireMinder.. https://www.campingworld.com/tiremin...pressure-gauge

dave

[Bob Denman]

I've heard lots of complaints about the OEM valve extenders that are supplied by Thor.
You might want to try replacing them with something a bit... better!

[Forest Grump]

Originally Posted by Bogie

SNQ = Stupid newbie questions.

I am looking for what is the easiest way for me to check/maintain tire pressure on a dually setup (E-350).

I have an electric air pump that works great for cars/motorcycle and even though it says 110PSI, when I hook it up to the RV, it lets more air out then it puts in and doesn't "seal" like it does on the car. Seems to have a long post to relieve air pressure in the stem.

Of course one side has a valve stem extender for the inner tire and one does not and there is no way I can reach that inner tire to check the air pressure, and again, trying to get a reading with a tire pressure stick provides pretty unreliable results for that tire.

Also any advice for getting the shiny "wheel covers" off? Do they just pry off from the edge?

You can get quality valve extenders from NAPA. Viair makes a high quality some what expensive 12v air pump. Pick the size that fits your needs. I have one mounted to my Jeep and another for the motorhome. They work fine on both. If you see a bunch of narly jeeps coming off an equally narly trail and they have their hoods up it’s not because of engine problems. They are airing up their tires. Most with viair pumps.

[Bogie]

Cool thanks! Will take a look. For the inner tire, I can't even reach the valve stem cap lol. I might have to get my wife out there with her tiny hands.

[Pete'sMH]

Dually tire valves, a good plugging kit and a Viar pump and you are good to go for all but the worst case. Dually valves are the best solution to your problem IMHO

[Forest Grump]

Originally Posted by Bogie

Cool thanks! Will take a look. For the inner tire, I can't even reach the valve stem cap lol. I might have to get my wife out there with her tiny hands.

Take the outside tire off....

[tigwelder]

take the stainless simulators off. hand holes are alot bigger and you can reach the rear stem.first thing is get rid of the junk flex extentions and get some long extentions in you run the simulators.

[Skip 500]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I've heard lots of complaints about the OEM valve extenders that are supplied by Thor.
You might want to try replacing them with something a bit... better!

What valve extenders? I just have the regular stem.

[Bob Denman]

I you don't have them: they're not worth worrying over!
Just go get yourself a set of them!

[mcr1010]

I second that on the NAPA valve extenders. The ones that came with mine must have been designed-made by inmates at the asylum.

[Bob Denman]

Don't insult the inmates like that!

[Hooligan2]

To remove and replace the wheel simulators use this tool. The $10 one works as good as the $40 one. Sprinter covers just pound on. Some wheel covers have nut covers that have to be removed.

[Bogie]

Got this guy:
https://www.amazon.com/Viair-00088-8...keywords=viair

And this guy:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ON order should be here by the weekend. Will report progress. Looks like valve stem extenders recommend metal valve stems, looks like I have rubber ones, so I'll probably just have to tough it out with taking the simulator off for now. When I get the tires replaced (probably next year) I'll have the place set it up right.

Edit: Luckily only the left side does not have a valve extender so I am guessing they must have gotten a flat or changed the tire at some point. So it will only be half a pain in the ass to fill it up. Hooking up to the battery seems like a pain in the ass, but the upside is that it will work anywhere I go as long as I can turn on the RV.

[Bogie]

Update:
The pump I ordered from previous post works like a champ. If you need to reach the spare tire stored on the back it would need an extension but on the E350 chassis it reaches all tires.

Added 3 pounds of air to a tire in about 20 seconds.

Also the simulators are just pry off at the edge, once off it is possible for me to reach the valve stems. Thanks everyone for recommendation on pump, I will feel much safer riding down the road knowing I can air up my tire to the proper pressure before and during a trip.