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Valve stem extensions motorhome11/11/2023 ![]() I could not find a 90˚ stem to circumvent that problem. Also, the TPMS Sensor stuck out about 3/4" past the tire. I did not want to put a sensor on it that could vibrate and cause a shift in the rubber base, or worse. The valves in the MKX were the rubber base snap in. The MKX comes with built in tire sensors and to remove them would cause the dash warning light to be on constantly. (Think 2013 Lincoln MKX with 22" wheels.) Like others, my concern is for tire information when towing behind the MH. My TOAD has "vogue" wheels and low profile tires. To me this is nothing more than an indication by the manufacturing company that the lens is "certified" by the manufacture to pass the appropriate DOT standards.Īlthough this thread is mainly devoted to RV's let us not forget our TOADS. It is the manufacturer who "certifies" that a product would pass all DOT test requirements, if it were tested.įor example, I have seen plastic brake light lenses with "DOT" on them. To my knowledge DOT does not approve specific products. They write rules and regulations and test procedures to be used by a manufacturer when they want to certify a tire or other component as meeting DOT regulations. This is a very common misunderstanding of how DOT works. RE "DOT Approved" While I have not done research on the specific question of hose extenders, I do understand the "DOT Approval" of tires. If properly installed I see no reason for either system to work Now it is of course that either design could have detail features such as better quality hose or "O-Rings" or attaching points of hose to fittings but without doing detailed examination of specific product and possibly conduction some testing so I would not call one any "better" than the other. Since this is the hose you have I believe you need to use flow-thru TPM sensors so this might limit your choices. A "flow-thru" sensor could also be used with this system if it is placed on the valve stem with the non-pressurized hose connecting to the outer end of the flow thru sensor. BUT if you attach an external sensor to the outer end it must depress the "rod" and then pressurize the hose for the sensor to provide a reading. This hose is not pressurized except when measuring tire pressure. The second system has a hose with a flexible "rod" on the inside which opens the valve core in the valve bolted to the wheel. This type can be used with an external TPM sensor at the outer end of the hose or with a "flow-thru" type TPM sensor attached to the bolt in valve and then the hose running out to allow air to be added to the tire. One is pressurized as it opens the valve core on the stem that is bolted through the wheel. ![]() I understand the two basic designs of hose extenders. Since you are a tire professional I would welcome your comments. I checked and found that these are DOT approved and seem to be a better design than the stainless braid. These extensions do not have air in them except when checking or filling the tires. I went to a tire dealer and they installed new steel bolt-in valves, and a European design valve extension that is plastic with a rod down the middle. My stainless steel braid valve extensions were leaking air from the rear outside tires. I do hold the extender hose when ever using a gauge or air chuck. You can see in my set-up that I have the hose firmly attached to my hub cap. Clearly they do not support the hose end so there will definitely be some movement. I have not looked at the rubber "grommet" that fits the hand holes but have to wonder if they hold the braided steel line solidly. I have seen spring clips that are supposed to retain the steel braided hose but they don't look too solid to me. There is a rubber interior to the hose and this will also age so when I replace my tires I will get new hose extenders along with new valve rubber parts. Replacing when you replace tires eliminates the need of keeping track of the age of the O-rings and seals. The rubber parts age just as the rubber on your tire ages. ![]() Metal valve stems should be replaced or at least have all the rubber O-rings and gaskets replaced whenever you change a tire. I can only guess as to why a metal valve would fatigue as without significant movement of the hose there should not be enough to stress the valve stem. The hoses come in different lengths so you should run the shortest hoses that allow you to easily bolt the end down and you need to support the end of the hose when pushing on it with your tire gauge or air chuck. Second you need a hard attaching point on the outer end of the hose to prevent movement of the hoses. Now there are TWO main things that I would consider a MUST. When I got my Class-C my first add-on was TPMS followed by steel braided extensions. When I was racing I towed with 1-Ton dually and had steel braided extensions. ![]()
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