On my new rig,the outside ( aluminum) dual has the stems pointed straight to the inside. The inside stem is quite a ways in. Any suggestions as far as extenders? I want to install a monitering system too
Bruce

Bruce

My outer stems came from the factory pointed outward, and have worked great that way. Rather than extenders, the best idea is to install long metal valve stems on the inside dual wheels. And Alco makes a rubber "donut" that fits in the hole of their aluminum wheels to stabilize that long inner dual stem where it passes into the outer wheel and keep it from flexing with wheel rotation. Most people who use extenders have problems with them leaking --'couse if you had the monitoring system installed at least you would know about the leaking!!

I have the donut. It's good in figuring out where the valve stem is!

My rear dual outer wheel valve stems are pointed inward just like Bruce's. Fortunatly I can get my hand in between the duals and screw the Sensor on it without much problem. Sometimes I have to position the truck just right to be able to lay on my back and reach through the wheels. But it works and I don't have to use and extension.

A friend of mine that I sold a PressurePro Tire Monitoring System to, had the same type set up and he had a tire guy turn the valve stems inward towards the center of the wheel. Now he can easily reach the valve stem in order to put the Sensors on.

There are several things you can do to make it workable. Most of the larger Motorhome manufactures put WHEEL MASTERS stainless steel mesh covered extensions on the rear duals and have them facing the outside on the hub. This seem to work well also. We like to try and avoid valve stem extenders if at all possible, as they are just one more place for a leak to occur. However they are a MUST sometimes and good extenders seem to work well. The cheaper ones are a disaster.

Good luck and let me know if we can help any further. 850-294-0281

My stem has a nut at the bottom of the stem and I loosened it about 1/4 turn and turned the stem outward to facilitate my tire monitor pressure cap installation. Can you do that on yours? You won't loose any air

For those who are curious.
DOT regulations require the outer valve stem
to point inward, now I don't know if its a requirement for non-commercial, but for commercial
its required.

Hi,

Here's another solution.

When we bought our HDT 6 years ago, we had "cats eyes" and metal extenders installed on the rear duals also, at the dealer we bought from. In that amount of time and over 70,000 miles they have performed flawlessly. [Knock on wood] We would do the same again in a heart beat.

quote:

DOT regulations require the outer valve stem to point inward, now I don't know if its a requirement for non-commercial, but for commercial its required.

I'd be interested in seeing a reference to the exact wording if you could tell me where to find it -- I googled a bit and didn't come up with it.

I've driven a lot of trucks in my life (most not commercial), and the valve stems always pointed inward on outer duals. I figured it was to protect them from hitting something, or from mud, etc on farms. I was interested to see my Winnebago (Spartan Chassis) delivered with stems pointing outward, but I've had no problems with them. They are still well within the wheel -- not near the outside edge.

quote:

"cats eyes"

...which would be what??

This message has been edited. Last edited by: AFChap,

I would question a "DOT reg".

The answer is more simple, the outer wheel is set up to also be an inner wheel.

With the valve stem aimed into the offset, when it is in the inner position, it aims to the outside where a straight on air chuck can be used. When it is in the outer position, then the valve stem is exposed enough to use a reverse foot chuck.

I saw a screwy setup on a Ford SD. Both the inner and outer valve stems where located in the same wheel ole position. The outer stem prevented a decent shot at getting on the inner stem. The bend on the outer was different than the inner and was too close to the rim for a PressurePro sender to fit. I wonder if this was a standard Ford setup for was it a dealer thinking he was doing the owner a favor?

My coach tires had valve stems that, I think, someone in the factory mounted in a way to make them most difficult to get to.I was crawling on my back,sticking my hand between the dual wheels, etc. just to check and fill air.When I could not install the Pressure Pro sensors, I purchased a product called "Dually Valves" and had them installed. They are basically long metal valve stems bent to face out with a rubber stabilizer that fits within the wheel cover holes.They are not inexpensive, but I feel they are one of the best things I have ever spent money on.I have driven about 5000 miles so far with no issues.Note-this is not a commercial - I have no interest in this product other than as a consumer.

quote:

the outer wheel is set up to also be an inner wheel

On most trucks that would be true -- no difference in setup between inner or outers. But my inner wheels are steel with long metal valve stems sticking through both wheels with an Alco rubber donut stabilizer. My outer wheels are aluminum with normal metal valve stems. I suppose I could put an outer on an inner position or vice versa, but if that rare occurence happened it wouldn't remain that way for long!!

Hi AFChap,

The "Cat's Eyes" we refered to are a way to check the air pressure of both duals at a glance. Both duals are hooked up to a Cat's eye device that equals the air pressure in both tires. The device is mounted to the outer wheel's axle covering. There is a site glass and within it is a "guage" that resembles a cat's eye. The width of the "eye" opening tells us how much air is in both tires. The device also has a valve that will sense a fast loss of air in a tire and shut off the other tire's air pressure so it does not go flat also. There is a device mounted on each outer dual wheel. Hope we have been somewhat clear on this. If not just ask us any question.

AF Chap - Link to URL=http://www.linkmfg.com/catseye/catseye.html]Cat's Eyes[/URL]

Similar to the CatsEyes is the CrossFire system which seems to have the advantage of being able to indicate both underinflation and overinflation (possibly due to a tire heating up).

Though I still have no first hand personal experience with either of these systems, my son, an OTR driver, chose the crossfires over the catseyes for his own truck because of the overinflation indication.

Maybe someone can enlighten me to the advantage of using either the "CatsEyes" or the Crossfires" with a PressurePro system.

The PressurePro system gives you the exact tire pressure of both tires anytime you wish to push a button and see it. PLUS,,,it gives you a warning if EITHER tire pressure goes up 25% or down 12.5% and 25%.

This is a direct quote from CrossFires web site:
********************************************
Blowouts and leaks
Crossfire employs a safety feature that automatically isolates the "good" tire in the event of a blowout. When a blowout occurs, the internal safety valve closes immediately with only a slight loss of pressure to the "good" tire.

In slow leak situations, the valve isolates both tires after a pressure drop of approximately 10 P.S.I.
*********************************************

It appears to me it might even be a hinderance to have them installed with the PressurePro system.....Someone help me here..

Thanks
Mike