I'm considering getting a TPMS for my BT50 and Franklin van. Do many of you out there have a TPMS? Are they worth having? Is there anything to look out for when choosing one? I've noticed that there is quite a large range to choose from starting from the EBAY cheapies for $20-30 up to over $1000 for the bells and whistles variety. Any recommendations?
I'm considering getting a TPMS for my BT50 and Franklin van. Do many of you out there have a TPMS? Are they worth having? Is there anything to look out for when choosing one? I've noticed that there is quite a large range to choose from starting from the EBAY cheapies for $20-30 up to over $1000 for the bells and whistles variety. Any recommendations?
Regards Paul
Hi Paul...I can only recommend Safety Dave.Unbelievable back-up service if needed.Cheers
I also have Safety dave with 8 monitors,screw on, but I feel that they lose some pressure quicker than standard valve, then seem to stabilize. So put in or adjust to 38 psi cold,as per book, not towing, maybe 2 weeks reading 35-36-37 as they are very temperature sensitive. Sunny side of car reads more than the other.
Small pain to undo allan key lock to re adjust. I think new monitor has a better warning system about constant power being unecessary, it will run on internal battery for a long time. As Yobarr, no problem with talking you through any issues.
I have a six sensor, in-tyre type from Masten, aka Digoptions. Four are on the car and two on the van. They cost about $400 and indicates temperature and pressure and you can set various limits and alarms. The in-tyre type sensors are more trouble to set up in the first place because you have to remove the tyres to fit them - or fit them at same time as fitting new tyres as I did, but thereafter they are more protected so don't suffer from some of the issues the valve cap type can. I invested in them, and a torque wrench after I lost a wheel on my caravan and it was written off because of resulting damage. Since 2012 TPMS has been mandatory for all new cars sold in Europe, and should be here also IMHO.
Put a piece of bright material or string on the spanner so you don't loose it.
It is a bit of a pain taking them on & off for off-roading, but after half a dozen cycles you get proficient at it. Just remember the peace of mind!
We found it quicker to take them all off then air the tyres up or down & then all back on rather than one wheel at a time.
Make sure the sensors are clean inside because that may be your "slow leak" over a few days due to a tiny bit of dirt.
Get a decent compressor. You do not want to be fluffing around with so many tyres. Our 255/60 R18 tyres using 3 compressors 20 to 35psi 30 seconds a corner.
I have a six sensor, in-tyre type from Masten, aka Digoptions. Four are on the car and two on the van. They cost about $400 and indicates temperature and pressure and you can set various limits and alarms. The in-tyre type sensors are more trouble to set up in the first place because you have to remove the tyres to fit them - or fit them at same time as fitting new tyres as I did, but thereafter they are more protected so don't suffer from some of the issues the valve cap type can. I invested in them, and a torque wrench after I lost a wheel on my caravan and it was written off because of resulting damage. Since 2012 TPMS has been mandatory for all new cars sold in Europe, and should be here also IMHO.
I've got a Masten as well, had it for about 4 years since my Enawise failed and were no longer supported. The Masten looks about the same as Safety Dave (probably from the same factory) but a lot cheaper, only problem I've had is batteries tend to need replacing from time to time.
I cut short lengths of 13mm soft poly pipe and put over valve stem, it seems to stop the scuffing on wheel rim, but no where as many km as you "when"
G`day Craig ,
I had a couple of valve stem failurse on the van and discovered that the cause was the extreme bending of the stems with the sensors fitted by the centrifugal force generated by the turning wheels . The stems exit the rims at 90 degrees . This was evident from the marks on the rims caused by the sensors . I have done the same as you and used some poly pipe as a sleeve over the valve stem to prevent excessive movement . Been using this system for about 25000 km of travel now without any further problems .
Cheers,
Jontee .
-- Edited by jontee on Monday 14th of September 2020 11:27:57 AM
-- Edited by jontee on Monday 14th of September 2020 11:28:29 AM
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OK. Thanks everyone for the replies. I've sent a message off to Safety Dave to get a price (as they don't have pricing on their web site). They seem to be the same as the Masten units which are going for $442 for an 8 tyre unit. So depending what Safety Dave comes back with I'll probably go with one of these two. I'll probably buy a TPMS for our little Mazda Cx3 while I'm at it and hopefully get a discount for buying in bulk :).
Just wondering whether its worth spending extra to monitor the spares also (ie. a 10 tyre unit) or just stick with the tyres on the road. I'm thinking that the road tyres should be all that needs monitoring, as if one of these plays up then you're going to want to pump the spare up once you swap it on to the car anyway (and then move the sensor from the one that was faulty to the spare that is now on the car or van).
If you need to use a spare tyre just check the tyre first with a digital pressure gauge. I do this anyway (have 2 gauges) as a double check when adjusting tyre pressure. I don't see any benefit with sensors on spares wheels.
I used to keep the spare with an extra 10psi but now I don't bother as my compressors are do quick.
If you haven't got a compressor, save the money on extra sensors & put it towards a compressor & tyre repair kit.
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50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
Dunno if I'm allowed to sell stuff on here, but I'm sure someone will tell me if I'm not I have a brand new (still in the box) Masten TPMS set that I don't need. Paid $400 for it and will let it go for $120 plus postage. PM me if interested.
-- Edited by Mamil on Monday 14th of September 2020 11:10:10 PM
Just received and set up a TPMS on my Jayco Conquest (Fiat Base) Motorhome, bought it online from Kogan, it's a 'CERTA 4 Wheel Smart Tyre Pressure Monitoring System', I also purchased a TEKTON digital tyre pressure gauge to check and adjust the tyre pressures before fitting the 'thingies' to the valves.
The TPMS works from an app on my iphone through 'Bluetooth', so there is no wiring and is very simple to set up, it has a speaker that alerts you if tyre pressures are out of wack, so there is no need to look at it while driving.
I am pretty happy with it, it will give me peace of mind as I am always looking in the rear view mirror at the back tyres thinking that they are running a bit flat.
Cheers
I have a brand new (still in the box) Masten TPMS set that I don't need. Paid $400 for it and will let it go for $120 plus postage. PM me if interested. 
