Tire Pressure Monitoring System TPMS
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When it comes to tire safety, fifth wheel
owners recognize the importance of being
alerted to a potential tire problem before
the problem escalates into a safety issue.
Tire blowouts on a fifth wheel or on the
tow vehicle often result in extensive
damage being done to the underside of
the trailer or the tow vehicle.
If a tire overheats and catches fire then
the problem instantly turns into a nightmare
scenario for all involved. A blowout on
the tow vehicle will often result in difficulty
controlling both the fifth wheel and the
tow vehicle.
The Solution
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)
have come a long way since their inception.
Todays systems offer features that play
an important role in identifying a potential
tire problem before it becomes a safety
issue.
Why Monitor Both Temperature and
Pressure
Having a TPMS that monitors both tire
pressure and tire temperature helps cover
all of your bases when pulling a fifth
wheel.
Often a tire will start to show signs
of failure by an increase in heat which
will then be followed by a decrease in
air pressure. Catching the problem long
before it starts to escalate is of great
importance. It gives you time to reduce
speed and get to a safe location where
you can visually check the problem tire.
The TPMS can alert you to other problems on the axle.
If a bearing on the axle of the fifth
wheel is starting to overheat or perhaps
the brakes are binding or getting hot,
the tire temperature will alert you
to the problem. With a TPMS that only
monitors tire pressure you would get no
warning until the tire starts to lose
pressure or there is a failure on the axle.
That loss of pressure could
be the blowout which you are trying to
detect before it occurs.
How the TPMS Works
The TPMS consists of transmitters that
screw onto the valve stems of the fifth
wheel and tow vehicle tires.
The transmitters can be either a cap type or a flow-through
which allows the tires to be inflated without removing the sensor.
Each transmitter has its own unique identification
number that is recognized by the monitor.
These unique identification numbers ensure
that the monitor knows which transmitter
it is getting data from. If there is another
fifth wheel near yours that also has the
same TPMS system, your monitor will not
be affected. A monitor resides in the
tow vehicle. The transmitters from each
tire send tire pressure and temperature
data to the monitor. Should a specific
tire experience a sudden air loss or increase
in heat, the transmitter immediately alerts
the monitor which will then alerts the
driver with audible and visual warnings.
The tire that is experiencing a failure
is shown on the monitor.
Tire Damage
When the tire on a Fifth Wheel fails, it can do extensive damage to the
underside of the trailer. The driver of the Fifth Wheel may not know that
a tire has failed as it is not always apparent until alot of damage has been done.
One of the main causes of tire failure is due to incorrectly inflated tires.
It is standard procedure to check all 5th wheel tires inflation pressures before a trip. When a TPMS is fitted, it is
easy to check your tires before each trip. Simply turn on the
5th wheels TPMS and all the tires inflation pressures will be shown. No need to use a tire gauge and check every
tire manually.
The Truck Systems Technologies TPMS system is available directly from Fifth Wheel Magazine.
Invest in your safety and get one of these systems. Install it on
your fifth wheel and be safe while travelling.
USER REVIEWS OF THE TPMS
Great System and I am very relieved to have it fitted and now have peace of mind that I am not headed for a disaster without even knowing about it.
Ken G - Virginia
This system saved me on the first trip. I had an alert and pulled off only to find that one of my wheels had picked up a nail and was losing air.
I would never have know this had I not have had this system and probably would have been stuck on the interstate somewhere.
Mike S - Utah
I use this system to check all of my tires prior to a trip. It's so much easier to turn on the monitor and see all tire pressures without
having to go and check each one. Beyond that I have alerts whenever there is a problem and it certainly has saved me a few times.
Once the system is fitted it's easy to overlook what could have happened each time the alert goes off. I love this system and really
believe that every Rv'er should have one for safety.
Alice M - Montana
I could not have spent my money on a better system. I am so relieved that I averted the failure and the costly damage that would surely have
resulted. If I had not have had a TPMS showing heat buildup I don't think I would have been alerted to the problem.
It was now my turn to see how hard it is to get a tire changed in a rest stop :) But hey at least I was not stuck in the outside lane on the interstate
dodging hectic holiday goers and 18-wheelers and my family is safe.
Andrew B - North Carolina
Video of How to Setup The TPMS