Silly question about checking air pressure on dual rear wheels

[richard5933]

We just had new shoes put on our coach all around (Goodyear Marathon). Now I have a question about checking the air pressure on the inside tires on the rear axle.

The stems for the inside wheels end a couple of inches inside the openings of the outer Alcoa rims. I can easily get the gauge and chuck on the stem through the opening. The problem is that they've used a metal stem cap which must be removed before checking/filling.

Before the new tires, we did not have valve stem covers on the inner tires, so no problem. Now I've got a problem.

So, do most people crawl around underneath to reach between the tires to remove the valve stem cover? Or, is there some type of tool designed for this so that the cover can be removed through the opening on the outer rim? Gotta imagine there is a way to do this without crawling under the bus, as that just doesn't seem like a good idea.

Thanks
Richard

[bevans6]

I can just reach through the hole and remove the cap, no problem.  Are the holes in your outer wheels too small for that?  You can buy flexible extensions, but I personally don't trust them, lots of RV owners use them.

[lostagain]

I use hex shaped valve caps. I welded a socket of the appropriate size ( I forget what size) on the end of a piece of rebar so I can reach and screw, unscrew the caps.

I find from past experiences that valve extensions of several kinds are trouble.

JC

[Lee Bradley]

I went with this solution.

http://www.dualdynamics.com/products/cross-fire/

[Jon]

Fill thru cap valve stem caps are the answer.

https://www.alltiresupply.com/products/double-seal-cap-inflate-thru-valve-cap-50box?gclid=Cj0KCQjwlf_MBRDUARIsAD8Gj8AVCVXKxH1pF0hfhaInNdYvH27mZ4dYfD5WU8s7dRvzlDj1m4Mh-7gaAu3aEALw_wcB

[PP]

I have a 1 x 1 inch piece of wood about 8 inches long with a hole drilled in the end that fits snugly over the valve cap when pushed through the hole in the rim. I just push it on and screw the cap off and it stays stuck in the end of the wood until I screw it back on and pull the wood out leaving the cap behind. Easy Peasy and cheap, just like me 

[kyle4501]

I went with this solution.

http://www.dualdynamics.com/products/cross-fire/

I like these - so easy to verify the tires are properly inflated. 

[Dave5Cs]

Had to many devices fail, loosen ,leak etc. I just use my hand and put it through the hole take off the cap and check it.

[kyle4501]

I've had several valve stems fail to seal after checking with a gauge, Nothing is perfect . . . .

Another advantage to the crossfire is it is easy to check in the rain . . . . Which means I actually check those pressures every time I stop !

[Jim Eh.]

Kuddos to the shop that installed metal valve caps. The valves are just there to prevent air to drain out while you put a cap on the stem. Sorry but plastic ones just don't cut it. Inside the metal caps are true seals that prevent air loss through the schrader valve.
Extensions? I say bah humbug to them also!
Lots of good suggestions already so I don't need to add any.

[Zephod]

I like the sound of those digital monitors that give pressure and temperature readings for each tyre when installed in the tyre.


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[windtrader]

what a timely post, i left vus at generator shop to chexk intermittent shutdowns. Pick up today, msnsger says one rear tire is flat. I checked pressure yesterday morning during pre trip checkout, all good. Coach was level when I left it.

Ended up calling mobil service to sort it out, He filled it at tookt
k it off for inspection and nothing wrong. Must have been leaking valve extender that did not seal and leaked, Once earlier, I caught one sticking and was able to clear out what was making it leak. Im sold 100 pct on the steel caps. Save yourself the costly lesson

[buswarrior]

the schraeder valve holds air while you install a proper steel cap with a sealing grommet in it.

Our grandchildren will regard us as stupid/cavalier for not using tire pressure monitoring systems...

Just as there are things we think our Grandparents were a little stubborn about...

wise up, and spend up?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Debo]

Personally, I think Jon is on-point with the fill through the cap metal ones. It's like having a second valve on the stem, and you don't have to remove the cap. Almost the best maintenance improvement I've made, I think. Cuts the time needed to check tire pressures by 3/4, and I find myself more likely to do it - even when it's not really necessary.

[windtrader]

Yeah, DOUBLE SEAL CAP - INFLATE THRU VALVE CAP. That is what caused my tire to go flat. Some small particulate material was keeping that ball from sealing and it let the air out. It happened once before but I heard air leak so I poked it a couple times until it sealed. The last time I was in a real hurry so just got the reading and ran off to the next tire. Likely it was hissing at me but I didn't hear it.

If you need to put a metal cap on this style of valve then I don't see any added benefit. Might as well just put cap on the main valve stem.