tire pressure monitoring

[ruthi]

Hey, looking for a bus Christmas gift. What tire pressure monitoring system do you recommend? I looked at  some of the tire pressure pros. Not exactly in my field of knowledge, so, I would appreciate some help in choosing the right system. I saw that some of them will pre program them, so that when you get it, you dont have to configure it. Would I need an atenna to make it work, or a relay?  I assume then, that you need to give them the amount of pressure that your tires require? How would I know that without letting hubby in on it? Is this doable to do as a surprise? Help!!!!!!!!! Just trying to make it a bus gift thing, and though this would work. Thanks

[TomC]

I have the Pressure Pro.  Easy to program-simply inflate you tires to the correct inflation, screw the sensor into the tire stem and follow the directions as to the sequence of buttons to push per position.  I have my towed also with the Pressure Pro.  With the towed, you should have a booster near the rear since sometimes you loose the cars signal.  The only thing I wished it had was the ability to manually check and fill the tire without removing the sensor.  Sean has a more sophisticated one that also has a temperature readout-very handy.  Good Luck, TomC

[ruthi]

Temp. read out would be nice too. Is there a preferred place to buy the system? We tow a trailer with our car on it. Can I just tell them how many tires there are, and they figure out what all I will need? Also, this is going in the new conversion we are doing now, so, what would be the best mounting option for the receiver?

[JackConrad]

    We have the PressurePro and are very happy with it. Since we tow 4 down, we have the sensors on the toad wheels also.  When doing a day trip in the toad, we can place the monitor in the toad (it installs on the dash with velcro or the included clips.  The sensors replace the valve caps. When towing our golf cart trailer, we transfer the front wheel sensors from our toad to the trailer so we can monito those tire pressures.
    The SmartTire system uses sensors that install inside the tire (strapped to the wheel). This system in more theft -proof but requires demounting the tires to install them. This system does give temperature as well as pressure.
We purchased our PressurePro from Jim Shepherd. Jim is a fellow busnut and post on this BB as
RVSafetyMan.  Jack

[Ed Hackenbruch]

I also bought my Pressure Pro from Jim  and have been very happy with it.

[ruthi]

Thanks, I will contact Jim.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

He has good fire extinguishers too.

[rv_safetyman]

Hi Ruthi

There are a ton of different systems on the market.  I carry the Pressure Pro which is the old tried and true system.  Several of the newer systems have had their ups and down with various issues.  

No matter what system you buy, you will never again travel without them.  The feeling of being protected is almost beyond description.  

I do offer a bit of a discount to bus folks.  

Give me a call and we can discuss your options.

BTW, thanks for the nice comments for those that mentioned my name.  Sure glad that you did not use some of the adjectives that require the funny symbols

Jim
three zero three 478 -3501

[johns4104s]

What type of price range are we looking at for various type of systems?

Thanks

John

[rv_safetyman]

Hi John, in years past, the "rule of thumb" was $50 per tire and $190 for the monitor.  Most of the premium systems are still in the same range. 

The SmartTire system is a bit more costly.  They just got purchased by Bendix after about closing their doors.

In recent years, there has been some discounting by companies that have not been in the business and don't have a track record.  One was Saf-Tee.  They were about $2-300 less expensive for a set.  However, they had a bad habit of charging your account and not shipping.  They also had a very poor track record on reliability.  They have since been purchased by anther company and it sounds like they have gotten their act together.  There have been a couple of new companies that have entered the market, but I think they have folded.

I am not bad mouthing the competition, just trying to make sure you do your home work.  RVNet has several threads on tire pressure systems. 

I like the rather Plane Jane Pressure Pro system, because of the good reputation and the fact that I don't have to deal with much in the way of warranty work.  They do their job and do it very well.

Jim

[ruthi]

Got it ordered from Jim. What a nice guy to deal with. Thanks Jim, and Merry Christmas!
PS, I will let you know how the surprise goes, lol. Ruthi

[luvrbus]

Ruthi, They work good but you need to install the set I bought a set from Jim 5 or 6 years and they do me a lot of good still in the box in the bay of the bus LOL 

good luck

[ruthi]

Wow,lol. I assure you Ken will have his on, prob. before we are ready to get the bus on the road. I know he will be happy to get them, and surprised that I thought of it. Jim is going to ship them to me in a plain box, as to not give it away.

[JackConrad]

Ruthi,
   Be sure to follow the instructions for the initial installation.  There is a specific sequence to install them. We have had ours about 5-6 years now and would not be without them.  Jack

[cody]

Ruthi, your absolutely right about jim, he is a great person, many don't know but when libby came out of the horsepistal last january and needed an oxygen concentrator and we couldn't afford one thru the hospital, sonny gray sent her one and jim shepard picked up the shipping cost, without that she would have had an even greater struggle to survive, I'm eternally grateful for all everyone has done to help her and thats why I've gone back to my old system of charging a cup of coffee or two for piling sawdust, this applies only to busnuts, I'll still accept donations from time to time but it is exactly that, just a donation, no bill will be written or sent for labor.  When libby is strong enough to travel we're going to run and hide again lol.  I don't want to hijack the thread just offer a thought about jim, he's a great guy.