Tyre pressure monitors offroad
Submitted: Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 09:22
ThreadID:
132261
Views:
3819
Replies:
10
FollowUps:
13
This Thread has been Archived
Sigmund
I've just fitted the
well featured system of six from ABR Sidewinder.
The sensors screw onto the valve stem.
Has anyone used this kind of thing offroad and found they're prone to damage?
Reply By: Member - Boobook - Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 09:34
Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 09:34
I have had the same one model 22?
It has survived the elements
well, including
Simpson desert, Anne beadell highways's never ending ruts and CSH etc.
They are pretty tough. The only problems are
1)They have a brass ring. I used a marker to make them black so they don;t stand out.
2)They will hit and chip alloys. I saw someone put some foam or something on them for rutted tracks.
Other than that they are great.
AnswerID:
599304
Follow Up By: Sigmund - Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 10:33
Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 10:33
Cool, thanks Boobook. Good to know. Will get a felt-tip pen out.
The rims are steel so that's OK. I got shorter valve stems fitted to make the sensors less vulnerable.
Yeah, it looks like a really good system particularly for the camper trailer where deflation wasn't going to be felt until it's too late.
FollowupID:
868532
Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 10:53
Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 10:53
Sigmund,
I have a similar setup with TyreDogs.
When the sensors flex the valve stems and hit the rims, its not just chipped paint or scarred alloys that's at issue. It's damage to the sensors from relentless, repeated and severe impacts with the rim on corrugations.
It is
well worth carving a ring of stiff closed-cell foam and pushing it over the sensor and stem, not to preserve appearance but to cushion the sensor.
Cheers
FollowupID:
868535
Follow Up By: Sigmund - Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 12:19
Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 12:19
Thanks for that tip Frank.
I took a look at the flex of the stems. There was one that could maybe hit but repositioning the lock screw provided more clearance. There'd have to be serious force with the rest, maybe to the extent of ripping the sensor off or the valve stem out altogether. But I agree it's possible.
FollowupID:
868539
Reply By: Member - Geoff M (VIC) - Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 10:32
Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 10:32
Hi Sigmund,
I've been running the ABR tyre monitors for several years and they have been great. have traveled in many different off-road situations without any problems.
Cheers, Geoff
AnswerID:
599310
Follow Up By: Sigmund - Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 10:34
Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 10:34
Thanks Geoff.
FollowupID:
868533
Reply By: Baz - The Landy - Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 14:00
Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 14:00
Hi Sigmund
I run the Doran 360 which has external sensors and never had a problem in 65,000 klms, including off-track desert travel.
Doran 360
Regards, Baz - The landy
AnswerID:
599321
Reply By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 21:34
Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 21:34
Sigmund
I bought this 6 sensor unit from Derek 12 months ago, since done 40 000km since without a drama including a trip to up
Cape York on the PDR. Hasn't damaged the standard alloy rims on our Pajero at all. I haven't done any sand trips or subjected it to significant / sustained water immersion, but handles corrugated dirt roads
well.
Very occasionally can take up to 5 minutes for some monitors to "call home", other times it happens within 50m of starting.
The grub screw fell out on one of the monitor (guess I didn't tighten it enough), hasn't affected the sensor though.
I re-learnt a lot about physics when looking at how temperatures and pressures change between the various rims depending on loads, air temperatures and extent of braking !
I think the rim mounted TPMS are superior, but for the price, I'm very satisfied.
Mark
AnswerID:
599338
Follow Up By: Sigmund - Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 23:02
Friday, Apr 29, 2016 at 23:02
Thanks Mark.
Yeah, I can see myself watching the figures too.
FollowupID:
868566
Reply By: Erad - Sunday, May 01, 2016 at 10:07
Sunday, May 01, 2016 at 10:07
I have a set to fit to my Pajero and caravan. My concern is that they may affect the wheel balance. Has anyone noticed any problems in this regard?
AnswerID:
599391
Follow Up By: Baz - The Landy - Monday, May 02, 2016 at 07:54
Monday, May 02, 2016 at 07:54
No...
The Doran kit does come with a counter-balance which I don't use.
But with some of our heavily corrugated outback roads and tracks, balance becomes a touch academic in my opinion.
Cheers..Baz - The Landy
FollowupID:
868653
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, May 01, 2016 at 19:16
Sunday, May 01, 2016 at 19:16
I changed to ABR Sidewinder TPMS a few months back - I made some foam pads to stop any issue from the sensors banging against the rim.
And I don't bother with the grub screws - looks unnecessary to me.
I also painted the sensors black - thought the gold colour was a bit of a giveaway for thieves.
AnswerID:
599414
Reply By: Member - Ian M21 - Tuesday, May 03, 2016 at 14:15
Tuesday, May 03, 2016 at 14:15
Similar system on van and Pajero. Work
well.
Had to fit metal valve stems to stop rubbing of mags. Inexpensive fix!
AnswerID:
599470
Reply By: vk1dx - Tuesday, May 03, 2016 at 15:26
Tuesday, May 03, 2016 at 15:26
All posts above mention alloy rims. We run steel on both sets.
Can anyone comment on what damages or nill damages done with the steel rims by the stem mounted sensors.
Phil
AnswerID:
599471
Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Tuesday, May 03, 2016 at 15:33
Tuesday, May 03, 2016 at 15:33
Phil,
On my previous vehicle I had steel rims, and still have them on my trailer. The sensors would bang on the rims just as they do with alloys. On the steel rims all it did was mar the paint a bit, no big deal.
But as with the alloys, the sensors did not like the continual impacts from hitting the rim - I had a number of sensor failures. I put the foam collars on and have had no problems since, over some thousands of km of dirt and corrugations.
Cheers
FollowupID:
868700
Follow Up By: vk1dx - Tuesday, May 03, 2016 at 15:59
Tuesday, May 03, 2016 at 15:59
Thanks Frank. We had our first flat since 1969 and even though we both "felt" it we were thinking about some sensors.
Of course a scratch wouldn't worry us as the rims get scratched a lot.
Phil
FollowupID:
868701
Reply By: Life Member - Terry 80FTE - Tuesday, May 03, 2016 at 22:02
Tuesday, May 03, 2016 at 22:02
I use the Tyredogs on stem, on both alloy and steel rims.
But drilled a new hole inboard a bit and used the shorter Go-cart valve stems,
The valve points in towards the axle so centrifugal force doesn't lay them outward, also they are more protected from sticks and stones.
Other advantage is they don't have to be removed to air up or down, just use original valve.
Cheers
AnswerID:
599490
Follow Up By: Member - ACD 1 - Wednesday, May 04, 2016 at 09:43
Wednesday, May 04, 2016 at 09:43
Terry
You may be on a winner here. Can you post a photo to show what you've done?
Cheers
Anthony
FollowupID:
868737
Follow Up By: Life Member - Terry 80FTE - Wednesday, May 04, 2016 at 22:30
Wednesday, May 04, 2016 at 22:30
Hi Anthony,
On these Alloys after drilling the extra hole I then countersunk the hole a bit as the alloy was thicker than the steelies
Cheers
Tyre dog fitment
FollowupID:
868807
Follow Up By: Member - ACD 1 - Wednesday, May 04, 2016 at 22:41
Wednesday, May 04, 2016 at 22:41
Thanks Terry
I take it you have no issue with the balance ? I suppose a bit more weight wouldn't make that much difference given big 4WD tyres are notoriously difficult to get to zero.
Did you do the drilling yourself or at a rim maker/repairer?
Thanks again for the photo. I will now invest in a set god the L/cruiser and trailer.
Cheers
Anthony
FollowupID:
868808
Follow Up By: Life Member - Terry 80FTE - Thursday, May 05, 2016 at 22:58
Thursday, May 05, 2016 at 22:58
They were done in the workshop, prior to tyre fitting and balancing,
Cheers
FollowupID:
868874
Reply By: Member - Rich - Wednesday, May 04, 2016 at 06:18
Wednesday, May 04, 2016 at 06:18
I have the ABR TPMS as
well and found they have marked my allow wheels on the van and the steel rim wheels on my van.
I got some sponge tubing from bunnings to go over them, I fully cover the valve and TPMS. Looks odd.
However I think the sponge I have is a bit soft. I have not tested this yet.
I also got some Those things you put on a chair leg to stop them slipping and with a bit of work they fit over the TPMS sensor including the brass bit.
sorry if vague, pics would be easier. I am away from
home for a week or so and provide them when I get back if you like.
Richard
AnswerID:
599496
Follow Up By: Sigmund - Wednesday, May 04, 2016 at 06:55
Wednesday, May 04, 2016 at 06:55
1600 kms on bitumen, some of it pretty rough, no contact at all. Maybe the shortish valve stems help.
I've got a set of deflator stems that are short too and steel that are in line for fitting.
FollowupID:
868730