TireTraker monitoring systems

[Iceni John]

Is anyone here using the TireTraker TT-500 tire pressure monitoring system for six wheels?   It looks like I will definitely need the additional signal booster as well.   How well does it work in the real world with metal-framed and metal-skinned bus conversions?   Any problems with this product or the seller?   Obviously I would prefer to buy from a BCM advertiser, but only if the product works correctly.

While typing this, the Collings Foundation B-25 Mitchell medium bomber just flew very low over me here  -  flights from Orange County airport are $400 for 30 minutes.   There's very few things I would like to do more than take a half-hour flight in that magnificent old plane, but for the same amount of money I can instead buy a TPMS for the bus.   So, do I buy a half hour of amazing memories, or something that could potentially prevent an accident?   Choices, choices.

Thanks, John

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Paul Lawry wrote an article about this TPS and it is on our website.  Check it out at http://busconversions.com/vendor-profiles/vendors.html

Let us know what you think.

Gary

[Oonrahnjay]

...
While typing this, the Collings Foundation B-25 Mitchell medium bomber just flew very low over me here  -  flights from Orange County airport are $400 for 30 minutes.   ... 

     There's one right outside my office window at Sanford, NC airport.  $495 for 30 minutes; yeah, I'm on the bus budget plan, too.

[RJ]

John -

I have a TireTracker system on my coach and toad, 10 sensors in all.

Altho I have the booster antenna, I haven't had a need for it since I mounted it in a front side window where the co-pilot could monitor it.

Other than a dead battery in one sensor, it worked perfectly during our snowbird trip from WA > FL and back, six months and nearly 12,000 miles.

Once in awhile, after being parked overnight, the unit would squawk about a low tire in the morning, but by the time we were unplugged and ready to go, a second review of all positions would show normal.  I think the unit was like me - allergic to mornings!

Otherwise, yes, I'd buy it again!

FWIW & HTH. . .

[luvrbus]

I use the Pressure/Pro mainly because I monitor it through the SliverLeaf,I really don't trust any valve stem mounted TPS 100%.
I prefer to walk around and check every 100 miles anyways. Use the stabilizers on the valve stems and wheels too 90% of the time the sensors are the source of a small leak they are bad about leaking in the -0 weather  IMO  

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

One thing about the booster that Daryl Lawrence, inventor of TireTraker said is that you may not initially need the booster, but after the batteries start getting weak you may want the booster to boost that weak signal.  It is like insurance, you may not need it now, but it would be very embarrassing to have a tire blowout and swerve off the road and hit a cop car only to find out the battery died and you didn't notice, or did not have any spares when you did know it was dying. 

The good thing about the TireTraker (and probably others) is there is an audible and visual signal if any of your batteries start to die so you will have time to order new ones.  I suggest you replace your batteries yearly when you change you smoke detector battery just to be sure. Daryl sells batteries very cheap so there is no excuse for having weak batteries.  What?  You don't have a smoke detector.  Check TT out at www.tiretraker.com. 

[Iceni John]

Thanks for the useful feedback.   I'll have no problem fitting the sensors to the four rear wheels, but the front wheels' valve stems are so close to the brake drums that I'll need a short extender to allow the sensor to screw on.   I don't want to risk bending the valve stems away from the drum and breaking or weakening them, and the sensor detects temperature so it's not a good idea to have it touching the brake drum.   Nothing's ever easy!

And to answer my dilemma of getting the TPMS or flying in a B-25, I've decided to do both!   Sod it, that's what money is for.   The B-25 flew low over here again a few minutes ago  -  it sounds so good!

Thanks, John

[Dreamscape]

I've been using the TireTraker for about 1 year now. You will need the booster to eliminate any problems, like warnings/signals that are not being sent clearly.

We don't have as many miles on our coach since I started using, unlike RJ who seems to never sit still for too long!  We've spent the last 7 months doing a re-power and a bunch of other upgrades to make our Eagle even better.

If you sit in one place for a while, I recommend removing the batteries in the sensor and then re-installing it so you never lose track of what sensor goes where. It has worked for us.

Use a good digital psi tire gauge before setting up the TireTraker, make notes of what you set them at. Compare it to what the TT says the psi is so you will have a more accurate figure of reality. It's very easy to set up, just follow the directions. You know, us guys always read the directions! 

Great TPMS!

[Dave5Cs]

Paul,
Maybe if you'd leave the engine in it long enough to run a mile or two you would put some on it, LOL Dave

[Dreamscape]

Dave, I'm laughing at that comment, we'll sort of!

[lostagain]

You guys like spending money on gizmos and gadgets, fine. But the chances of a blow out is very low. Good, well maintained and inflated bus tires do not go flat or blow out. Well they do, but so rarely. Check the pressures regularly, and look and feel with your hand for heat (low pressure) every time you stop during the day. TPMS were invented and mandated in new cars recently because people don't check their tires.

JC

[luvrbus]

  do the TMS system come in green for the sensors so you know not to use good cheap air just nitrogen only.I don't trust the TMS systems myself we have one the car the right rear is always going off and flashing on the dash   

[Iceni John]

The TireTraker seems to be one of the better systems, but I would prefer one whose sensors do not need to be unscrewed off the valve stems to inflate the tires.   To me the main value of any TPMS is to alert me to Something Bad quickly happening while actually driving  -  I know that it's not a substitute for checking the pressures carefully before driving, which I always do with an accurate gauge.   I also stop every hour or so to check all the tires' temperatures and condition, and brake drum and hub temperatures, and look under for any leaks or drips.   Just like with DDEC, it's just another tool in the toolbox, and definitely not a substitute for good preventive maintenance and common sense.

And yesterday I did fly in the B-25.   Wow!   There's nothing like sitting in the nose gunner's position with just a big machine gun for company and the ground rushing underneath you, and 3400 horsepower of engines just a few feet away.   Now that's flying.

John   

[luvrbus]

I flown in the B-17,B-25 and a C-47 a outfit in Scottsdale has those with a old B-29 they been working on for years.
I let them use my hanger sometimes to do repairs and the pilot is always wanting me to go for a test ride in the B-29 lol I am not that stupid a test flight in a 73 year old plane shaking,blowing smoke and miss firing no way

[opus]

While typing this, the Collings Foundation B-25 Mitchell medium bomber just flew very low over me here  -  flights from Orange County airport are $400 for 30 minutes.   There's very few things I would like to do more than take a half-hour flight in that magnificent old plane, but for the same amount of money I can instead buy a TPMS for the bus.   So, do I buy a half hour of amazing memories, or something that could potentially prevent an accident?   Choices, choices.

Thanks, John

Mmmmm...another electronic gadget.  I've driven heavy stuff for 40 yrs and have always manually kept track of my tires, just keep doing it the way you've been doing it.  Take a flight in a B-25, hands down the winner!!!