Trailer TPMS

[RobertN]

Had a flat on the 5th wheel coming home from the coast yesterday. Fortunately no rim of trailer body damage.

Starting to look at aftermarket TPMS; anyone have any experience with them?

Had a couple thoughts about it:
- Add a TPMS for the 5th wheel
- Add a TPMS for the 5th wheel AND the truck. My 2001 RAM 2500 doesnt have it...

From a brief look, prices and name brands vary a lot. There appears to be plenty of off-brands out there too.

Anyone tried this?

 

[workinonit]

I use the TST507. I really like it. I think there are some that can be monitored on the phone app but mine has the separate screen which I like because it scrolls the tires constantly. I even have my truck on it as well.

 

[not2old]

I'm not willing to pay the $600.00+ that Ford wants for the sensors to put on a trailer. Does anyone, know of any of the cheap stuff on the net that will work for a trailer to also work with the OEM computer on my 2024 F350?

 

[Topzide]

Heck these guys out; www.tiresupplynetwork.com

 

[Tinhack]

Heck these guys out; www.tiresupplynetwork.com

I only see OEM versions.

I bought this set on Amazon for my GMC but haven't installed it yet. I'm holding off until I get my new tires mounted on my new rims.

A couple of things to keep in mind.
1. The sensors in the kit above weight 12 grams with the battery installed (not 5gms as indicated). That's almost 1/2 ounce and likely going to throw the balance out so a rebalance is in order.
2. The sensors have a limited range. There are kits for trailers and RVs (extended range) but I have not looked into those. Be sure any add-on kit has the range you need.

 

[Topzide]

I understand saving some money on things, but is it worth a tire or an accident? They do specials on 10 packs for around $200. I've used them for sensors and valve stems. Have just received a set of metal dually stems for my sensors. Need it to cool off to break the beads and swap them out.

 

[J&K]

I bought Guta brand for my 5th wheel. We got a newer 5th wheel this year and found out that the GM ones that are able to read on my truck don't got above 100psi. New 5th wheel tires are 110psi so I bought the Guta brand and so far it has work very well after 4 trips. They have one that will monitor truck and trailer.

 

[TMGT]

I only see OEM versions.

I bought this set on Amazon for my GMC but haven't installed it yet. I'm holding off until I get my new tires mounted on my new rims.

A couple of things to keep in mind.
1. The sensors in the kit above weight 12 grams with the battery installed (not 5gms as indicated). That's almost 1/2 ounce and likely going to throw the balance out so a rebalance is in order.
2. The sensors have a limited range. There are kits for trailers and RVs (extended range) but I have not looked into those. Be sure any add-on kit has the range you need.

I have those on 2 vehicles, my jetta and 3/4t truck, they work well with a decent refresh rate. The temp/pressure seems to be fairly accurate.

The biggest grip I have it that you have to be careful putting the sensors on as it's easy to release more pressure then you want if you don't get then threaded on immediately.
Not a big deal on the jetta unless I'm rotating tires, but on the truck I change pressure on the rear tires more often depending on if I'm unloaded or hauling/towing.

I also work nights and park in a garage at home so I have to charge it every so often, if you park in the sun the solar will keep it charged.

I've had them for about 1.5yrs so far. The truck doesn't get driven much l, but the Jetta does over 30k mi a year.

 

[gsganzer]

When I was hauling my kids around with horses for play days, I bought a TireMinder brand for the gooseneck horse trailer. It was a life saver. The last thing you want is to be on the side of the road on a 100 degree day with horses in the trailer. With the aluminum horse trailers and fenders, is seems like blowouts usually meant ruined fenders too.

The sensor batteries don't have the longest life, but not too bad. I think the model I had would allow you to program up to 5 trailers, if you wanted to.

 

[Chewwy]

I had this on my RV. With six sensors it monitored all 4 tires and the spare. There are several options based on the number of sensors needed. It worked well and installation was simple.

 

[Fxfymn413]

I also use the TST507. I have never had a balance issue with them and would not tow without using a TPMS for a trailer.

Yes they are expensive, but so is a tire blow out, particularly on an RV that shreds the side of the trailer.

Mine have paid for themselves by indicating an issue before the pressure got so low it ruined the tire.

If you add the valve stem style like the TST507 I highly recommend you replace the valve stems with metal valve stems and use anti-seize grease on the threads to prevent bimetallic corrosion.

 

[RobertN]

I also use the TST507. I have never had a balance issue with them and would not tow without using a TPMS for a trailer.

Yes they are expensive, but so is a tire blow out, particularly on an RV that shreds the side of the trailer.

I was fortunate my tire did not come apart. I've seen pictures of RV's and 5th wheels with the sides all torn torn up because of tread separation.

That is part of the reason for asking about TPMS; I was lucky this time but don't want to tempt fate.

 

[nctox]

I used the TST507's for most of the time I had my motor home. Changed the batteries every year and they were trouble free.

 

[Fxfymn413]

Another thought..Most folks don't check the trailer's tire pressure before every use. When a TPMS is used it is automatic since the pressure will show on the monitor even if it is not low enough to trigger the alarm. It is especially helpful for a dually where the inner tire can be a PIA to check.

 

[TMGT]

I also use the TST507. I have never had a balance issue with them and would not tow without using a TPMS for a trailer.

Yes they are expensive, but so is a tire blow out, particularly on an RV that shreds the side of the trailer.

Mine have paid for themselves by indicating an issue before the pressure got so low it ruined the tire.

If you add the valve stem style like the TST507 I highly recommend you replace the valve stems with metal valve stems and use anti-seize grease on the threads to prevent bimetallic corrosion.

What material was the thread inserts in the sensors? My cheap tpms system had brads thread inserts and brass lock nuts. Unless you have really cheap metal valve stems, they should be brass also, so there shouldn't be any need for anything on the threads.

 

[RayIN]

Had a flat on the 5th wheel coming home from the coast yesterday. Fortunately no rim of trailer body damage.

Starting to look at aftermarket TPMS; anyone have any experience with them?

Had a couple thoughts about it:
- Add a TPMS for the 5th wheel
- Add a TPMS for the 5th wheel AND the truck. My 2001 RAM 2500 doesnt have it...

From a brief look, prices and name brands vary a lot. There appears to be plenty of off-brands out there too.

Anyone tried this?

The cheap/low cost end of the market is: Amazon.com: Tymate TM7 + New Updated M12-3 : Automotive
IMO the best overall is Pressure Pro brand- made in the U.S.A., and TST brand.

 

[nyone]

I have family who put aftermarket TPMS sensors on a RV. It had rubber valve stems. In a years time they had to replace all 6 valve stems. We think due to the size of the sensor going at speed caused failure of them. Replaced with steel and no issues.

 

[WM75Guy]

I would add it to the truck and trailers. I have the GMC factory TPMS for the truck and all 5 of my trailers. It is great peace of mind monitoring it. My trailer TPMS also shows air temp in the trailer tires. I figure if a bearing starts heating up it should show up in tire temp.

 

[workinonit]

I have family who put aftermarket TPMS sensors on a RV. It had rubber valve stems. In a years time they had to replace all 6 valve stems. We think due to the size of the sensor going at speed caused failure of them. Replaced with steel and no issues.

They can't be used with rubber valve stems. That's a no brainer.

 

[dieselscout80]

I would add it to the truck and trailers. I have the GMC factory TPMS for the truck and all 5 of my trailers. It is great peace of mind monitoring it. My trailer TPMS also shows air temp in the trailer tires. I figure if a bearing starts heating up it should show up in tire temp.

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I want to get a TTPS and that GM system seems nicer than the Ram version, but not enough to switch trucks.