Stuck for the first time

wal1809 · February 08, 2011, 10:42:49 AM

Well I was headed to Coushata RV park at the casino the other day and went through all my checks. Started filling up tires to the proper pressure and the left rear outside tire would not stay over 60 lbs. Got to poking around with a cup of water/dish soap and when I hit the valve stem a big old bubble popped up. I was out of time and did not want to risk driving the 20 miles to the truck stop to get it fixed so we had to leave the bus at home. Sleeping in a hotel is not my idea of traveling anymore. I like my own bed, my TV while in bed and my own shower. Hotels or rather what is in them gives me the creeps.

bevans6 · February 08, 2011, 10:47:28 AM

Good for you for catching it!

Brian

kyle4501 · February 08, 2011, 10:55:06 AM

Quote from: wal1809 on February 08, 2011, 10:42:49 AM
. . . . Hotels or rather what is in them gives me the creeps.

Hey, hey, now, I wasn't in that hotel!

You are so right about your own bed being better than renting one. . . .

Glad you caught the bum tire valve at home vs on the road with the issues associated with that hassle. . . .
Hope you enjoy your trip as well as one can without without their bus!

wal1809 · February 08, 2011, 12:17:08 PM

I am glad we caught it too. My wife was bummed out and my response was be glad we were not downtown Houston when the flat tire came to pieces.

gus · February 08, 2011, 04:55:22 PM

Wal,

I've had many, many valve cores fail on my 4104 in the past five years.

Really can't figure this out because years ago valve cores almost never failed. I think maybe one problem is that auto valve cores are not suitable for bus tires because of the much greater pressures, at least I have been told this. So, you probably shouldn't use auto tire cores from your friendly auto supply store or WM on buses.

Busted Knuckle · February 08, 2011, 07:40:07 PM

Gus you are 100% correct go by and visit a friendly big rig tire shop and they'll most like give you a handful of heavy duty cores for free or at most a buck or two! BTDT!

BK

happycamperbrat · February 08, 2011, 09:14:21 PM

Im with everyone else here........ Thank God you found it ahead of time!!! Pre trip inspections are Very Important!! Good for you! I am glad to be reading that you had to go to a hotel instead of something horrible happening with your bus and/or family and you and/or other people!!

Nellie Wilson · February 08, 2011, 09:29:22 PM

Funny, had similar thing happen a couple weeks back. Gave the valve a twist and it quit losing air. Been fine since so chalked it up to vandalism (my bike tire was flat too.) But after reading Gus's post not so sure. Hmmmm.

Nellie

wal1809 · February 09, 2011, 05:54:25 AM

The actual core of the valve is good. It is the rubber gromett (sp) that seats into the rim that is leaking. I could move it a little and the leak would stop, but i wasn't about to run down the road on a valve stem that could let air out.

Busted Knuckle · February 09, 2011, 06:47:04 AM

Quote from: wal1809 on February 09, 2011, 05:54:25 AM
The actual core of the valve is good. It is the rubber gromett (sp) that seats into the rim that is leaking. I could move it a little and the leak would stop, but i wasn't about to run down the road on a valve stem that could let air out.

Walt probably just needs the nut tightened up.
But it's best just to have it replaced and be done with it!

BK

bevans6 · February 09, 2011, 06:53:19 AM

If it's an outer rear, they can change the valve stem without taking the wheel off the bus. I know, 'cause I seen them change tires with the wheel on the vehicle on the Internet...

somewhereinusa · February 09, 2011, 06:54:41 AM

If you use the METAL valve stem caps, they will work as a temp fix until you can get it fixed. They will seal it completely, just don't forget to really get the fix done.

Busted Knuckle · February 09, 2011, 06:57:00 AM

Brian best I remember he said it was the inside dual.

And yes your right some show off tire jockeys can/do change the tire still on the vehicle. To rush onto the next one!

But all the "professionals" I know prefer to remove it so they can look things over to see what else might need repaired in the name of safety.

BK

Busted Knuckle · February 09, 2011, 07:00:19 AM

Quote from: somewhereinusa on February 09, 2011, 06:54:41 AM
If you use the METAL valve stem caps, they will work as a temp fix until you can get it fixed. They will seal it completely, just don't forget to really get the fix done.

A cap ain't gonna fix a leak where it comes out of the wheel.
Sorry don't mean to be harsh, but reading is required before solving the issue.

Now if it were a leaking core the metal cap can SOMETIMES get you to a place of repair, but not always.

And welcome to the board!

BK

somewhereinusa · February 09, 2011, 07:06:50 AM

[/quote]

Sorry don't mean to be harsh, but reading is required before solving the issue.
[/quote]

Sorry for existing, I admit I misread the OP and some later ones that were talking about valve cores.
Not to worry, I'll NEVER bother you again.