Tire leaks with EEZ TPMS

[Beachcamper]

I wanted to write a post about a recent experience I had with one of my tires losing air. This happened first on my way to an Alabama campground I noticed one tire lost 10lbs on trip but it did not register it as a fast leak. Once I got to camp I put in more air to usual 80 psi and examined tire, sprayed soapy water around stem and tightened stem valve as well. No issues were found. Next morning I lost 5 lbs on that tire, took out sensor and tightened more after filling up tire. No further issues into Florida and once back to my winter spot, I always remove sensors and fill up tires until we leave in May.

It is now May and I bought new batteries for the sensors as they go back on tires in anticipated prep for summer trip. I monitor again after installing them and one day later that same tire is at 65 psi! I switch sensor to a different tire and confirm it is the sensor.

So I called EEZ and was told to change out the rubber o-rings as the sensors are over 3 years old. They sell a kit for $5 and $1 shipping so I went that route before ordering a new sensor.

Removing the small o-ring requires a dental tool or other pick. The bigger o-ring is to the base for waterproofing the sensor. Now on for 2 weeks and no leaks. Just thought to share in case anyone has had issues such as these with the sensors.

[TucsonJim]

This is a good reminder Vivian. TST also uses O-rings, and a replacement kit runs $9.00. But shipping is a very high at $7.50.


Jim

[dustinsn3485]

Changing the seals is a good reminder.

TST also uses O-rings, and a replacement kit runs $9.00. But shipping is a very high at $7.50.

It's always tough for me to understand why a bag of orings is so expensive. If anyone has a spare new kit, I'd be glad to match up the orings and ship in a USPS envelope. Shouldn't be more than $3-4 with shipping.

[Jlawles2]

A trip to the local hardware store or auto parts house should get you access to a variety of o-rings. Standard Viton o-rings are all that's needed.

[Cate&Rob]

I ran a TireMinder pressure monitoring system for years. Constant false alarms and resets. The basic premise of a tire cap holding the schrader valve open and depending on cap torque and O ring seal to maintain trailer tire pressure is questionable at best. My new truck has the ability to monitor internal (like OEM truck) trailer tire pressure and temperature sensors. Accurate monitoring and never a false alarm . . . definitely a stress reducer while towing.

Rob

[Beachcamper]

I ran a TireMinder pressure monitoring system for years. Constant false alarms and resets. The basic premise of a tire cap holding the schrader valve open and depending on cap torque and O ring seal to maintain trailer tire pressure is questionable at best. My new truck has the ability to monitor internal (like OEM truck) trailer tire pressure and temperature sensors. Accurate monitoring and never a false alarm . . . definitely a stress reducer while towing.

Rob

I bought my EEZ TPSM in 2018 and never had a false alarm. I did have rapid air loss alarms two times and it was one time before getting on the highway found a nail in tire. Last summer when 30 minutes before getting on the Mackinac bridge, a sharp rock (like a spear head) somehow pushed into tire and ripped open a huge hole. Thank goodness I found all these out while in safer locations. I will always have them on my trailer tires. The company is very quick to help on the phone or online. The rubber o-rings for $5 and $1 shipping is not unreasonable and cheaper than me driving 30 miles each way to Lowes.

[Tigger1]

Beachcamper Thanks for the heads up. We’ve been using the EEZ TPMS since 2015. I haven’t needed to replace any seals yet but I have put new batteries in several times. I have the little bag of O-Rings in my box though. I did need to replace one sensor last season but that was my fault. When I was removing the old battery I accidentally broke the part that holds the battery in place.

No other issues but occasionally one sensor will drop off the monitor, lose contact during travel, for several minutes before it shows back up again. I replaced the battery but it still does it. The sensor might need replacing.

[Beachcamper]

Beachcamper.

No other issues but occasionally one sensor will drop off the monitor, lose contact during travel, for several minutes before it shows back up again. I replaced the battery but it still does it. The sensor might need replacing.

Tigger1 that’s interesting you mention one sensor drops off. It is same thing that happened a few months before on the sensor that was causing tire leak. I will see if replacing these o-rings help stop that issue. We are full time so I will test it these next few months while we are on the road and report.

[Jlawles2]

Tigger1 Note that the baggie of o-rings should not be a clear bag, but a paper bag or opaque dark colored bag is better. UV light (even florescent tubes) are bad for o-rings.

Note: I worked for a company that actually had excessive quality control on elastomer compounds. All o-rings in clear bags upon receipt were immediately placed in brown plastic bags and stored in a climate controlled room using incandescent bulbs. Location of the seal room was such that when the door was opened, external lighting was minimal and could not enter the room.

[Tigger1]

Tigger1 Note that the baggie of o-rings should not be a clear bag, but a paper bag or opaque dark colored bag is better. UV light (even florescent tubes) are bad for o-rings.

Note: I worked for a company that actually had excessive quality control on elastomer compounds. All o-rings in clear bags upon receipt were immediately placed in brown plastic bags and stored in a climate controlled room using incandescent bulbs. Location of the seal room was such that when the door was opened, external lighting was minimal and could not enter the room.

Good to know, thanks!

[Scott'n'Wendy]

I ran a TireMinder pressure monitoring system for years. Constant false alarms and resets. The basic premise of a tire cap holding the schrader valve open and depending on cap torque and O ring seal to maintain trailer tire pressure is questionable at best. My new truck has the ability to monitor internal (like OEM truck) trailer tire pressure and temperature sensors. Accurate monitoring and never a false alarm . . . definitely a stress reducer while towing.

Rob

Did you buy four Ford sensors and have them installed on your trailer wheels?

[Cate&Rob]

Did you buy four Ford sensors and have them installed on your trailer wheels?

The Ford “Trailer TPMS” is a receiver mounted to the trailer and hardwired to the truck through an additional cord that plugs in beside the standard 7 pin connection cord. The TPMS sensors are replacement valve stems with the sensing components inside the trailer wheel rim like OEM vehicle tire pressure and temperature sensors. The only curious thing about this system is that the sensors go to sleep when not rotating. So . . . you can’t use this system to pre-check trailer tire pressures until you get rolling in the morning.

Rob

[ncitro]

The Ford “Trailer TPMS” is a receiver mounted to the trailer and hardwired to the truck through an additional cord that plugs in beside the standard 7 pin connection cord. The TPMS sensors are replacement valve stems with the sensing components inside the trailer wheel rim like OEM vehicle tire pressure and temperature sensors. The only curious thing about this system is that the sensors go to sleep when not rotating. So . . . you can’t use this system to pre-check trailer tire pressures until you get rolling in the morning.

Rob

I run the same system as Rob and I love it. I think the reason they go to sleep is to extend the battery life, they are rated to 10 years. I agree it would be nice to be able to use it to check pressure before pulling out. I have gotten in the habit of having the trailer pressure display up when I head out and watching all of the pressures come online.

[Cate&Rob]

I have gotten in the habit of having the trailer pressure display up when I head out and watching all of the pressures come online.

I do this same thing, but have also gotten in the habit of checking trailer tire pressures after parking the trailer (usually the previous evening)

Rob

[Scott'n'Wendy]

So there are little accelerometers in there?