Dual Wheel tire inflation

robkathybat · 01-03-2015, 09:10 PM

I am finding it difficult to maintain the tire pressures equal on my dual tires. Since I won't be towing this winter I lowered the pressure to about 50 psig but I don't really have them at the exact same pressure. I've been researching and found these:THE CROSSFIRE DUAL™ TIRE PRESSURE EQUALIZATION SYSTEM. unfortunately they only have 100, 105 and 110 psi indicators which really doesn't matter since I have pressure indicated in the truck. Any thoughts on maintaining duals at the same pressure? What about just getting valve stem hose extensions so that checking/adjusting is easier? What are others doing?

spindrift · 01-03-2015, 10:17 PM

You can also use the Cats Eye system. Your dealer should be able to adjust below that pressure setting. You need a metal stem for the installation and they are the best systems avaavaable for maintaining equal pressure.

**Dave&Ginny** · 01-03-2015, 11:01 PM

The inside duals are always a problem. I carry a 9in hose designed for a valve stem extension system. When I need to check the air pressure, I'm able to sneak my hand behind the tire and screw that on. Then I can inflate or deflate as is needed. I keep my duals set at 60psi I used to run them at 80psi but found the ride much better at 60 and that's whats on the door pillar.

The reason I don't leave those on all the time is because I've heard stories of them leaking and causing a problem. There is a company that sells extra long valve stems I saw advertised somewhere but they were a bit pricey.

spindrift · 01-03-2015, 11:41 PM

Yes...valve extensions have a terrible reputation for leaking, unlike the CrossFire or Cat's Eye, which do not leak. Most folks attribute the tight seal on the equilibrium pressure systems to the method by which they are fixed to the wheel.

**Dave&Ginny** · 01-04-2015, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spindrift

Yes...valve extensions have a terrible reputation for leaking, unlike the CrossFire or Cat's Eye, which do not leak. Most folks attribute the tight seal on the equilibrium pressure systems to the method by which they are fixed to the wheel.

I've never heard of these....I'll have to research them. Thanks for the info

spindrift · 01-04-2015, 01:32 AM

You can't go wrong with the CrossFire. Around $75 per side.

markw · 01-04-2015, 05:04 AM

I had metal stems installed on my wheels then used 3" extensions on my inside tires. 5 years and never had a leak. I might have bought them at Camping World. Less than $10 IIRC. The TST system I got for the trailer came with 6 sensors. I now use the 2 extra on my inside duals. They are only about 2" but that's still ok. I've never had problems keeping my duals the same or within a pound of each other.
Mark

atom ant · 01-04-2015, 05:55 PM

I guess I didn't know it was that important to keep them equal.

Shane Wood · 01-04-2015, 08:24 PM

Have a tire shop put the longer metal valve stems on that they use on all the semi's. They don't leak and the inside tires are acsessible to add air to. If one of the duals have less air than the other it will wear out quicker as it is carrying more of the weight

atom ant · 01-04-2015, 09:16 PM

Ya I understand that, but 5 psi? Probably not. If it was that critical I would think the factory would have installed something.

Sometimes the less data feeding into me in the cab because of gadgets, the less I have to stress about

**Dave&Ginny** · 01-05-2015, 12:42 AM

Less air....more heat. You want the dual tires to be within a couple of psi of each other.

spindrift · 01-05-2015, 01:44 AM

We talk about gadgets and there are certainly plenty to choose from to help monitor things. And there are plenty of folks out there who don't have gadgets and you'll hear, "In fifty years of driving, that's never happened to me", whatever "that" is. In my mind, this differentiation is what defines the "enthusiast". Is one way better than another...that's up to you to decide. I'm anal about my rig. It's a fault and/or disease about me. I'll spend the $125 on a CrossFire system simply because I know it will save me a few 1/1000s of rubber over the life of my tires. Is it worth it to... me... ABSOLUTELY!

atom ant · 01-05-2015, 05:38 AM

I accept that Tom

I have to admit I am the opposite. Idiot lights were fine with me. My buddy always had the full pillar gauges on his Dodge, tire pressure, and I think his even transmitted engine data to his I-phone. He was always running around the campfire asking what his pyrometer should read and I just had to shrug.

The Garmin 760RV actually accepts engine data via a transmitter over Bluetooth and will display it on the screen. More comprehensive data than the normal. Kind of a neat feature for those that like that stuff. No idea what the transmitter costs.

Marilyn H · 01-13-2015, 05:31 PM

I looked at the Crossfire system for my F350 but it looks like the hubcap would have to come off for it to fit. Has anyone used the Crossfire w/ a F350 and if so, how did you address the hub cap?

spindrift · 01-13-2015, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marilyn H

I looked at the Crossfire system for my F350 but it looks like the hubcap would have to come off for it to fit. Has anyone used the Crossfire w/ a F350 and if so, how did you address the hub cap?

Hmmmm...good question. I removed my hub cabs long ago because I think the truck looks more bad azz that way.

However, they work just fine with the caps removed.