Tyre Pressure/Temperature Monitoring systems

Hi Paul

I have trye monitors fitted. I put mine inside the rim , a very simple job to break the bead and fit. Not a fan of the valve sensors as I have seen a few damaged on customers cars especially when off track.

I don't worry to much about re balancing as with mud tyres that get chipped etc and mostly on dirt it's not a problem.
I bought an extra sensor for the spare and just change the cab setting to suit.

Paid for themselves many times over. I also found that by running the aerial leads down to the door sills they pick up signals much quicker.

If fitted internally make sure you tell the tyre fitter if you don't do your own tyres.




Cheers Teza

Hi Paul, I started out with the external, screw onto valve stem, but the first wheel failed after 200k then the second went at about 300k, all on bitumen.
They were replaced under warranty but it shook my faith in their reliability.
So I changed to an internal type system and have been very happy with it.

Some points to consider other than what you have already identified.....
The battery can be user-replaced in the external type whilst the internal type battery cannot be replaced but lasts about 7 years. Being replaceable, the battery in the external type has springy battery contacts which can produce problems. They also are at risk from water ingress.
The external type cannot read tyre temperature with any degree of accuracy but the internal can. This is no big deal however as if your pressures are OK then the temperature will be OK anyway.

With the external type, spare wheels can be fitted with sensors (two in my case) and when one is installed onto the vehicle a coded key is changed on the receiver to match that wheel.

All-in-all, I am very happy with my system. It is a relief to be able to routinely check the tyre pressures just as you check engine temperature etc. Of course, an alarm will sound if the pressure falls below a set value and this can alert you to a failing tyre before it gets so low as to damage it. On a rough track you may not sense a failing tyre until too late. My system has alerted me to a puncture on the only one occasion to date.

We have the Davies Craig TPMS 400, purchased from one of their Distributors, this is the sensor on the valve type, with the replaceable battery, the units with the sealed battery sensors last for 4 or 5 years then the sensor is discarded.

The sealed sensors type would be good for boat trailers, you would not need to remove them prior to the trailer going for a swim. When using our BT we remove the sensors prior to the trailer going into the water, the sensor have a rubber O ring to keep out water but I think removal is best.

I have had problems with tyre shops not replaceing valves on wheels fitted with new tyres, so am wary of the systems inside the tyre and what damage they ( tyre fitters) can do, the DC TPMS seems OK to us but then again we have not had a tyre problem to test it out.

For ease of checking the tyre pressures we have not used the locking rings and at the moment do not intended to.

Having had blow outs on vans previously ( one on a new tyre that had only done 5,500kms) these monitoring system I think give you some piece of mind.

From memory one TPMS system on the market, the sensors are tyre dependent with the TPMS 400 a new sensors can fit any wheel once its synced into the monitoring unit.

We purchased 6 senors pack, when towing the van, 2 sensors on back wheels of cruiser and 4 on the van, when using the boat trailer remove the front 2 off the van for the BT.

Peter

External Sensors purchassed from overseas can be significantly cheaper but some of them, especially those that fit on tyre valves can be heavier/bigger.

No association etc etc

I have been using tyre dogs for 6 years. They wind straight onto the valve.
Car has completed many remote area trips, and goes offroad atleast once a month, and still original sensors are working fine. Sand, mud and rock crawling. Have replaced button batteries about three times during this time.
Sensors have also been taken from car to camper and horse float dozens of times over the years.
My father purchased the same for his truck more than 2 years ago, and has been very happy.
It has paid for itself about 3 times with early warnings for leaking tyres over the years.
Based on my experience I highly recommend these.
BW

Paul,

TPMS is a popular topic on the forum so I wrote up a comparison based on my experiences with both internal and external mounted semsor systems. The write up is

HERE; Tyre Pressure Mointoring Systems - Review


Cheers Mick

Thanks so much for all your replies to my query.
I have something to think about now, but am inclined to go the way of the internal sensors.
Mick, I did appreciate your comparison between the two units, Sensatyre and Tyredog. These were the two I had been considering & your comparison has saved me much research. It basically told me all I needed to know & I am sure other members in my situation will also appreciate the time and effort you made in drawing up the comparison.
A friend of mine heavily involved in 4WD training and leading group tours, also has the Sensatyre units fitted and also recommends them.
This was my first query on ExplorOZ as I am a new member, & I appreciate very much all the informative help from others.
Cheers
Paul

Hi Paul.

All good advice here really. I can only add my experiences and perhaps a little something extra.

Firstly I have tried both the Sensatyre and Tyredog systems and prefer the latter.

My experience with the sensatyre was not all that good with tyre shops breaking 2 of the sensors even after reminding them of their location on the rim. From memory they were something like $130-170 a pop to replace. No fault of the system of course but it made me think of a more convenient method which led me to the screw on valve Tyredog system.

In addition to travelling sometimes with the car only and at other times with our camper trailer I also travel a fair bit on a motorcycle.

So what I did was buy the Tyredog 4 wheel monitor plus a Tyredog 2 wheel monitor. This covers me for the vehicle on it's own or with trailer and when I want to travel on my bike I simply remove the 2 wheel monitor plus screw on valve sensors and put them on my bike.

I have been using them now for over 6 years and their performance has been absolutely faultless. From memory I have replaced only 2 button batteries in the sensors and a couple of AAA's on the monitor.

We have travelled through many off road outback areas, including Strezlecki, Cordillo Downs, Birdsville, OOdnadatta, Googs track et etc with these units and have proved to be very robust. They never come loose plus don't forget that they are mounted on a flexible rubber valve stem, so if something does brush past them the stem will flex.

I personally can't recommend them high enough.

And finally as murphy would have it, prior to fitting the sensors we had more than our share of tyre problems but since fitting them we have not had a single incident with our tyres.

But the beauty in all of this is, as you already realise, is your piece of mind knowing that your tyres are being monitored and that early slow leaking punctures can be quickly ascertained and hopefully fixed prior to the total loss of the tyre.

Check on line for Tyredog prices. I got the best deal importing them from the USA.

Cheers,
Wayne