TPMS for 2-axle buses?

[Iceni John]

Does any company make, or does anyone here use, a tire pressure monitoring system that is intended for RVs and buses with only 2 axles and 6 tires?   The reason I'm asking is because almost every system uses a display showing up to 5 axles and 18 tires.   I'm not driving an 18-wheel truck, just a 6-wheel bus, and I won't ever be towing a toad.   What I would like is a simple display for only the six tires I have, and ideally oriented vertically so my right-side tires are on the right side of the display.   I know that manufacturers want to save money by using just one display for all their different systems, but it then ends up looking complicated and messy when two thirds of the displayed tires don't even exist on your own bus!

The clearest system I saw for a bus was in an ADO late-model Mercedes with Marco Polo bodywork  -  it had a simple intuitive display showing all the pressures simultaneously for each of the six tires.   I couldn't see if it was a Mercedes TPMS or a Marco Polo system or something different such as the VDO reinflation system.

I have a space where my present radio's PA / outside loudspeaker switches and microphone connector are.   I'll be soon removing my radio altogether, so that space would then be ideal for a TPMS display.   I really don't want a chintzy display unit stuck on top of the dash or somewhere  -  I want it to look like it's an original part of the bus (even though TPMSs didn't even exist in 1990!).

Thanks, John

[Zephod]

Yes, I've seen them. I wish you'd read my blog entry from Saturday about those things though. They are available but are an utter waste of time and money.

Two types exist... those that screw onto a valve stem and which can come unscrewed and cause pressure loss and a blowout. There are also those that fit inside a tyre, can disintegrate and hurl bits around the inside of your tyre until they wear through and cause a blowout.
Most cars come with the latter preinstalled. The sensible owner whips the darned things out and throws them in the trash. In terms of pressure readings, they're useless as tyre pressure changes when running. Best measure tyre pressure when cold every morning in your walk around inspection. As far as the sudden pressure drop alarm is concerned, you should be too busy dealing with the situation to be looking at some funky display that tells you you have a blowout. Seriously - if you're trying to figure it out from the display, you've not got long left to live!


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[oltrunt]

I can't speak to the quality of the TPMS used on heavy duty vehicles but if they operate the way they do on my automobiles I'd be skeptical of their value.  Both my T-bird and my Explorer are equipped with TPMS  and both have a wide margin of error.  I had the system scanned on the Explorer and the computer says the TPMS is working correctly. Nevertheless, if the morning temp is 60 degrees or less, the low tire light comes on and the chime sounds--even with the correct air pressure in the tire.  Being the kind of guy who can't leave anything alone, I tried over inflating my tires by ten pounds one evening just to see what would happen the next morning.  Early AM 59 degrees and sure enough the light came on.  In every case and on both cars if I manually clear the code it does not reappear even at low temps.  Since my bus doesn't have TPMS I'll just stick to checking the air pressure before hitting the road and check the tire temp with my infrared temp gauge from time to time during my drive.  Jack

[Iceni John]

Yes, I well know that any TPMS is NOT a substitute for thorough daily pre-trip checks and regular get-under-with-a-flashlight inspections, and checking the tires at every stop during a long trip..   They will however alert you to Something Bad happening while under way, and if they allow you to pull over before a tire blows out (or worse) then they're worth it.   They're simply just another tool in the toolbox, i.e. only as useful as you want them to be.   I prefer to have too much information than too little, then I can make an informed decision with the least amount of guessing what's actually happening.

As with most evolving technologies, I suspect that TPMS are getting better all the time.   I'm in no hurry to install a system right now, but I'm beginning to think about getting one in the future.   When my radio's switch panel comes out it will leave a hole there  -  nature abhors a vacuum, so why not put in something at least slightly useful there instead of the completely useless radio and switches now?   (I prefer to listen to the engine and all the other bus noises while I drive, not some moronic asinine drivel on the radio!)

John

[Lin]

I've been using a Pressure Pro for at least 6 years with no problems, although I think one of the batteries is running down now.  Pressure Pro does not have a changeable battery, but there is information online about how to do it rather than buying a new sensor for $35.  In the time I have had it, I did loose a sensor once, which is considered a very rare event.  I did not loose air, it just fell off.  I attribute that to an outing where we spent days driving many miles reasonably fast on bumpy dirt roads.  Other than that, none have come loose or caused a noticeable loss of air.

The display only shows the pressure in one tire at a time.  However, it shows an LED light at each tire location, which will flash for the one that sets off an alarm.  I did have a blow out once, and it let me know right away. There is the issue of it setting off an alarm as the temperature drops.  Since the alarm sounds for a 10% pressure drop, some nights are cool enough to make that happen.  However, the set temperature remains that same even if I unplug the system at night and plug it back in in the morning. 

I think that they are an excellent safety device, especially if you have a toad.  You could easily destroy one in a few minutes without knowing it.  Also, instead of waiting for a blow out, it is really useful to know that a slow leak may have decreased a tires pressure by 10% while your on the road.  We did have that happen once, were able to give it some more air, keep on going and deal with the leak later. Checking your tires at fuel stops is great, but the fate might not be so considerate as to postpone tire problems until your ready to stop.

There are other brands that are about the same price that have easily changeable batteries and do not need to be removed to add air.  If I were looking for another set, I would look into one of those.  We bought ours new on Ebay at I think around half of the dealer price, so it was a pretty reasonable safety upgrade.

[windtrader]

Had a long conversation today about the value of TPMS. Agreed probably the most critical safety device one can put in a rolling bus.

Other than hitting a road hazard that causes instant deflation, tires don't fail without some change in tire pressure or teperature.

A properly installed and calibrated TPMS provides early warning that a tire is running outside the recommended range and giving the driver time to take the next exit to check it out. I've not come across any other production tool that offers real time reporting of the tire's condition.

[lostagain]

The late model Prevosts and MCIs I drive at my part time job have TPMS. They are a good thing when they work properly. But more often than not, it will show an under inflated tire or two. So you have to go with a tire gauge to measure it, to find that it is ok. So you don't trust the system anymore, and don't even look at it and ignore the warnings. I check them in the morning during pre trip, and feel for heat with my hand at most stops.
'
JC

[Zephod]

The late model Prevosts and MCIs I drive at my part time job have TPMS. They are a good thing when they work properly. But more often than not, it will show an under inflated tire or two. So you have to go with a tire gauge to measure it, to find that it is ok. So you don't trust the system anymore, and don't even look at it and ignore the warnings. I check them in the morning during pre trip, and feel for heat with my hand at most stops.
'
JC

Yup. This scam has been running now for at least 10 years and so few recognize that TPMS and traction control are of the same ilk as blinker fluid.


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[Iceni John]

I was merely asking if any company makes a simple TPMS that displays only six tires, not eighteen.

John

[thomasinnv]

My eeztire system only displays the axles that are being monitored. Programmible for 1 to 6 axles. 3 axles for the main vehicle and 3 axles for a trailer. It only displays what you use. User replaceable batteries too. Been using it for a few years now and no problems. Eezrvproducts.com and no i have no affiliation and nothing to gain by posting here, for your viewing pleasure only lol.

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[Iceni John]

My eeztire system only displays the axles that are being monitored. Programmible for 1 to 6 axles. 3 axles for the main vehicle and 3 axles for a trailer. It only displays what you use. User replaceable batteries too. Been using it for a few years now and no problems. Eezrvproducts.com and no i have no affiliation and nothing to gain by posting here, for your viewing pleasure only lol.

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That sounds like what I want.   I'll check it out.
Thanks, John

[Darkspeed]

Like this? When you have only six sensors only six tires show up on the screen.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009BFMUHQ/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2WNK810JX1LAL

[windtrader]

John, there sre plenty of tpms for 6 tires. in fact, many kits start with fewer sensors and you cn add more. Like the one DS showed, differnt models disolay the readings in different ways.

I'd hope the better units have reliable sensors.If they overly alert on false conditions, that's sufferable. Having them underreport is absolutely unaccepttable. On this buy, i'll only select one with rave reviews for reliability and accuracy of reading and reporting over features. Price will be down the list.

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

John, Check out this company.   Paul Lawry wrote an article about their system in Sept 2016.
https://www.tiretraker.com/  This is a very good system with replaceable batteries.  He recommends changing them yearly, or remove them when not in use. He sells batteries for a very reasonable price too.

They do take some adjusting to get them to work right, but one of these systems can be a life saver in some cases.

[Zephod]

I was merely asking if any company makes a simple TPMS that displays only six tires, not eighteen.

John

No slight intended. TPMS is a contentious issue. Some swear by it and others regard it as a scam.


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