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). 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

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). 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.