My RV has dually tires in the rear to support the weight of the motorhome and its contents.
I use TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) sensors to keep track of the air pressure on the RVs tires and to alert me if there is a loss of tire pressure such as when a tire blows out or develops a big leak.
This causes access issues when you are trying to get to the TPMS sensor on the inner dually tire. I've tried valve extenders, but as you can find via Google; they tend to not be very effective and tend to come loose or damage the valve stem because of centrifugal forces and such.
I've tried valve extenders with support brackets but with no luck.
After much trial and error and trying various methods, this is the way I do it today.
Tools I use for this task:
22mm Tube Wrench/tubular box spanner
You will have to have the correct size for your sensors.
I used the sensors from EEZtires
Braided air valve extension for
easy access while checking/adding air.
1-1/8" socket to remove mounting caps
from decorative wheel hub covers
First thing I have to do, is to remove the decorative wheel hub cover from the outer dually tire. This is where the one and 1/8 inch socket comes in. My RV came with a special wrench for this purpose but I have managed to lose it.
Only two of the caps are involved with securing the hub cover, just tap on each and find the one that sounds different. It's mate will be directly opposite.
Decorative hub cover off
As you can see in the above picture, the TPMS sensor (located at the 10:00 position) for the outer dually is easily accessible.
The inner dually TPMS sensor however is not so accessible:
Some folks on the internet say you can access this sensor on the inner dually via the gap between the two tires, this does not work for me. I use the 22mm tube wrench instead. I guide the wrench onto the sensor until it snugs up around the sensor itself. Then it's just a matter of turning it counterclockwise to loose in the sensor and remove it from the valve stem.
Next, I attached the valve extender to the valve stem so I can connect the air pump easily to the inner dually's valve stem:
Now I can add or remove air, checking with the TPMS monitor, until I have the right air pressure in the tire.
Once I am satisfied with the tire pressure in the inner dually, I remove the valve extender and use the tube wrench to remount the TPMS sensor. You basically just put it into the wrench and then gently align the TPMS sensor to the valve stem and screw it in.
I then check the air pressure on the outer dually tire, and then I put the decorative hub cover back on. Done!
Please comment if you've questions. YMMV, this procedure works for me. Not the fastest thing, or most convenient, but it works.
