D4 Tyre Pressure Sensors?

[GeorgeK]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking at getting tyre pressure/temp sensors for my new caravan. I would extend this to tyre pressure/temp sensors for my new D4. Next year I intend to do extended touring with the D4 towing the van and I think the sensors would be a good aid.

Does anyone have any thoughts WRT tyre sensors. Are they a bad/good idea? Are there any particular types I should be considering? Does any one have any personal experience with the sensors and would share their thoughts with us and lastly are there any better brands?

Thanks,

George

[Dingmark Jim]

I've used the TyreDog "screw-on" type sensors. Twice they let me know that I had a tyre deflating and was able to stop and change it before ruining the tyre (now have MTRs and they don't seem to go flat:D). They also sense temperature and I had one case of a dragging EPB causing a rear wheel to get hot. The warning gave me time so stop, cycle the EPB, and get it to quit dragging. Sometimes the sensors have a bit of a conniption fit and quit transmitting for about 10 minutes, but in about 40,000 kms no outright failures. The sensor batteries have to be changed about once a year. I can't comment about having sensors on the caravan as I only have a 4 tyre system.

It'll be interesting to hear what others say.

[Graeme]

They also sense temperature and I had one case of a dragging EPB causing a rear wheel to get hot. The warning gave me time so stop, cycle the EPB, and get it to quit dragging.I've wondered whether the heat transfer would be soon enough. It makes the sensors more worthwhile on these vehicles so I might get a set for mine.

[Jesse B]

Interesting that this thread has bobbed up now - I've just ordered a set of TyreDogs, having sadly destroyed a tyre over the weekend through not recognising the loss of pressure quickly enough. Feels like shutting the door after the horse has bolted, and I'm kicking myself because I nearly bought a set early in the year - but "once bitten, twice shy"! They would certainly have saved me in this situation.:(

[Duck's Guts]

August 2010 4x4 Australia magazine has a 1 page article / product test on the TPMS Australia Multi-tow tyre pressure monitoring system.
Gave it the thumbs up, & website at www.tpmsaustralia.com.au (http://www.tpmsaustralia.com.au)

Monitor cost $175, transmitters $50 each. Able to monitor up to 11 transmitters.

It read so well that I am toying with the idea of getting one...

[Dorko]

Its cheaper than some i have seen... but it looks so big! where would you put it?

I was hoping for one to clip on the window about the size of a iphone.

Dorko

[Duck's Guts]

Its cheaper than some i have seen... but it looks so big! where would you put it?

I was hoping for one to clip on the window about the size of a iphone.

Dorko

It looks relatively small to me, just comparing the photo in the article which shows the transmitters with the monitor.
If the transmitters are 10mm diameter (based on the photo on the tyre valve stem), I'd guess the monitor was about 40x55x20mm. Unfortunately I couldn't see any dimensions listed on the products web site.

[Ashes]

I've just got a 6 sensor system which is expandable. Only put about 1000km on it so far and works perfectly. Receiver unit isn't that huge. I just leave it in the cubbyhole under the radio. I haven't bothered mounting it in the holder but will do so for a long trip.

[ADMIRAL]

I've used the TyreDog "screw-on" type sensors. Twice they let me know that I had a tyre deflating and was able to stop and change it before ruining the tyre (now have MTRs and they don't seem to go flat:D). They also sense temperature and I had one case of a dragging EPB causing a rear wheel to get hot. The warning gave me time so stop, cycle the EPB, and get it to quit dragging. Sometimes the sensors have a bit of a conniption fit and quit transmitting for about 10 minutes, but in about 40,000 kms no outright failures. The sensor batteries have to be changed about once a year. I can't comment about having sensors on the caravan as I only have a 4 tyre system.

It'll be interesting to hear what others say.

I have the TyreDogs, but only for about 3 months, and no big trips as yet.
They seem to work ok, and the tyre pressure is pretty accurate. The temperature looks logical, but I cannot check for accuracy. Still haven't permanently mounted the monitor. Not as easy to find a hidey hole on the D4 dash. I was going to look at the 3 way adaptors, but there have been a few negative posts on them.

[Dingmark Jim]

I thought I ought to clarify what I said earlier about temperature monitoring. I don't think for a second that the sensors accurately measure the tyre or wheel temperature. However, my experience has been if a tyre is getting hot or a park brake is dragging, the sensor reports a temperature increase. I've just set the alarm at 50C (unless outback in summer) and it has twice alarmed to show a problem. One time the brake drum could have boiled water and the other time I'd thrown a weight and the tyre was bouncing about and getting hot (but on a dirt road the suspension masked it). The sensors can show which tyres are in the sun and which in the shade.

[Desert Traveller]

I purchased TyreDog sensors about 2 years ago. The batteries needed replacement annually. However I have had 2 sensors fail. Other have had the same issue (disco4 forum). The Tyredogs appear not to like vibration, read corrogated gravel roads. :(
I am looking for a more reliable sensor and am open to feedback. :confused:

[CSBrisie]

I highly recommend Tyredog having done minimum 10,000kms serious off road driving with them and twice (only a week ago) them warning me of blown GGAT2's on the Dalhousie Springs road.

[Dorko]

mix reviews.... hmmmm

Dorko

[Ashes]

Not sure the reviews are that closely mixed so far..6 punters have no issues, 1 had 2 sensors fail.
I've also got a system installed on my motorbike which has been issue free so far as well. I can now monitor the slow leak I know I have on the front easily and add a few PSI every couple of weeks.

The things I really liked about the car system - TD2000 in my case was
- it caters for more than 4 wheels. You can setup a trailer and the spare tyres if you wish.
- has replaceable batteries
- locking mechanism (would probably take these off when I expect to air up and down a few times a day on a offroad trip)
- can leave the unit on in the car, it powers down after 15 minutes and wakes up on any movement
- sensors should be easy to replace if they fail or get lost
- easily tranferable between vehicles if needed

[gmeddy]

I've been looking at these for a bit before reading this post, i came accross the tyredogs on the "electronic-bay" (i'm an addict) and then came accross a (possibly better looking) system made or sold by a mob called Orange. looks like the sensors have to be fitted to the rim from the inside.
this would mean you'd have to take it to your tyre shop and get them to take all your tyres off and fit the valve/sensors. - ?

the system looks and sounds real good, and all parts are supposedly replaceable if broken, valve, sensor seperate.

the display looks modern and small. but only caters for 4 sensors by the look of it.

but here's the really nice sounding thing - 7 year battery life!

anyone got this system? any comments?

http://www.orange-electronic.com/eng/07product/main.html

[CSBrisie]

Not too fussed about battery life - they only cost $4 and mine lasted well over 12 months. I did have an issue with my Tyre Dog - I lost a sensor (my fault) and as mine was an early model (TD1000A) I had to send the whole unit back to them to have them reset it and "link in" a new sensor; this is only an issue on early models - later models you can do yourself.

[GeorgeK]

Thanks everybody for your comments. I still haven't made my mind up. While I would like tyre sensors for the D4 and caravan (eight sensors in all) I'm still wrestling with my caravan reversing camera screen and nav system dilemma. Once I work out what how much I am going to have to shell out for the Nav'Screen combo I can deal with the tyre sensors.

Cheers

George

[Ashes]

I looked at inside vs outside systems as well. Inner rim systems have the advantage of not getting lost or stolen but as gmeddy said, you need to remove tyres to fit or maintain sensors. On motorbikes there were quite a few reports of sensors being damaged by fitters. Bike tyres also get changed a lot more frequently though. Anywhere from 5k to max 25k.

I've only used the tyredog system so can't compare in real life against other systems. As long as it saves you a tyre or accident, any system is a good one!

[Tassierob]

I have a Tyre Dog system on the D3 and it has saved me at least one new tyre. They have been on for about 40,000 km now with no problems other than flat batteries about once per year.

We also tow a van and have 2 sensors permanently on the wheels. back up, hook on, hold down one button on the Tyre Dog display, select 6 wheel config and drive off. I would never tow a van without them now. The peace of mind that comes with a quick glance that tells you the van tyres are running at the right pressure is fantastic. You can also set the alarm to go of if the pressure in the van tyres lowers past a pressure you have preset and that can be different to the car tyre alarm pressures if you wish. It also has high pressure alarms that will quickly alert you to a tyre that is not doing what it should.
In summary:):):)