Boy I hate the stainless hose valve extenders. Go out to move the coach and have two flat tires. Tires are new only about 30 miles on them. So put air in and can hear the air pouring out on the extenders. Had these type of extenders on our last rv and they failed too. Call a tire shop a couple miles from my house to see if they could install new ones. They said no they no longer install the hose style because they always fail. So tried camping world and they could do it next week for $180. So call the first store back to see what they would recommend. They had some extenders they use on semi wheels hard steel with no hose. So that's what I went with. He said he has never seen one leak or fail. So I hope this is a permanent fix. Plus they only charged $100 for all six wheels. Plus they look so much better then the hoses.
Sorry to hear that; two flat tires is not a very good wake-up call!
Please give an update when installed, with photos preferably. :)
Greg,
I will get a couple pictures when the monsoon stops lol.
Many LD (and other) owners have installed brass or steel "configured" valves from "The Tireman" or the Borg clone from Myers' Tire Supply:
Tire-Man: Products (http://tire-man.iwvisp.com/products.html)
Dually valve kits for Motor-homes, Busses and 6-wheeled chassis (http://www.yourtireshopsupply.com/category/796/dually-valve-kits)
Each vendor sells the kits; be sure to get the correct kit for your application.
The valves can be installed by a competent tech who is able to read and follow the instructions and not maverick off, thinking s/he knows how to do the job without that pesky "RTFM" stuff! The job is not difficult, but I have seen a couple of installations with missing or poorly placed rubber grommets, valves inadequately tightened into the wheels, and valves turned the wrong way. I suggest that the rig owner read and understand the installation instructions first, go over the job with the installer, and check the job when it's done.
Be very sure that the valves clear the holes in the wheel covers; the long inside dual valve is particularly vulnerable to being sawed into by shifting/rotating wheel covers. IIRC, the design of the wheel cover changed from the 8-hole, two lug bolts attachment style in 2007 (?) to a push on 4 hole (?) wheel cover that tended to migrate around the rim. The holes in the wheel cover on my 2003 are the 8-hole style; I had the two "valve" holes enlarged/elongated on both rear wheels to make sure that there would be no contact between the wheel cover and the valve. Additionally, each valve is covered with a "sleeve" of 3/8" ID plastic tubing.
YMMV, as always.
So tried camping world and they could do it next week for $180.
Our prior '83 had the hose extenders on from LD, and when they failed, they were about 25 yrs old! I bought replacements from CW, and they were crap! Failed almost immediately, so I scrapped the wheel covers so I could reach the valves. Probably all the ones available currently are low quality imports, and will fail. Hope your solid extenders hold up - I bought some I threw out because also crappy quality. Best solution is properly curved replacement valve assemblies to replace the original straight ones, and that is what we have on our current '04.
Steve
Greg here are before and after pictures. Don't look at the dirty wheels tomorrow is wash day.
Now put the topping on the ice cream by adding "Gator" flow through valve stem caps. You can inflate and deflate without taking the Gators off and then perhaps losing them. Problem solved and finished. And should our paths cross I'll give you six out of my box of 50. O:)
I gave up on 28 year old valve extender hoses. I bought a truck tire inflator. Use. Hex caps on the inside stems, for socket wrench removal.
I will add a schrader not adapter so I can inflate on the road.
Many LD (and other) owners have installed brass or steel "configured" valves from "The Tireman" or the Borg clone from Myers' Tire Supply:
Tire-Man: Products (http://tire-man.iwvisp.com/products.html)
Dually valve kits for Motor-homes, Busses and 6-wheeled chassis (http://www.yourtireshopsupply.com/category/796/dually-valve-kits)
Each vendor sells the kits; be sure to get the correct kit for your application.
The valves can be installed by a competent tech who is able to read and follow the instructions and not maverick off, thinking s/he knows how to do the job without that pesky "RTFM" stuff! The job is not difficult, but I have seen a couple of installations with missing or poorly placed rubber grommets, valves inadequately tightened into the wheels, and valves turned the wrong way. I suggest that the rig owner read and understand the installation instructions first, go over the job with the installer, and check the job when it's done.
Be very sure that the valves clear the holes in the wheel covers; the long inside dual valve is particularly vulnerable to being sawed into by shifting/rotating wheel covers. IIRC, the design of the wheel cover changed from the 8-hole, two lug bolts attachment style in 2007 (?) to a push on 4 hole (?) wheel cover that tended to migrate around the rim. The holes in the wheel cover on my 2003 are the 8-hole style; I had the two "valve" holes enlarged/elongated on both rear wheels to make sure that there would be no contact between the wheel cover and the valve. Additionally, each valve is covered with a "sleeve" of 3/8" ID plastic tubing.
YMMV, as always.
I had to go back to the tire shop because the Tire-Man valve stems were not on correctly. Also although I have a 2007 LD, vin 1FDXE45S07DA59xxx, I have the old style wheels and wheel covers. When I ordered Chuck was sure that I had a O6 E450 that Lazy Daze finished building in 07. But I believe the VIN is for a 07. The reason I bring this up if you have an 07 be sure to note the wheels before you order the kit.
John DaCrema
07 MB
Just got the valve extenders which I ordered from Tireman in Ridgecrest CA. Had them installed at Parkhouse Tires 72171 Varner Road Thousand Palms CA (Coachella Valley) 760-343-1018. Sergio the manager was very helpful. He had not installed these extenders, but followed the instructions provided by Chuck the Tireman without difficulty. He is available for installation for those in So. Cal.
Tire man extenders were ordered before my LD was even completed and very first thing I had installed. Happy with the kit and out come.
I forget whether I bought Borg or Tireman valves but I wound up using tin snips to open up all the holes the valves used. Actually bent back the metal so there was a smooth lip for the new opening. Makes it easier to check and add air.
I forget whether I bought Borg or Tireman valves but I wound up using tin snips to open up all the holes the valves used. Actually bent back the metal so there was a smooth lip for the new opening. Makes it easier to check and add air.
This is a common problem with extenders, almost every wheel cover need to have the valve stem opening increased in size to accommodate the stem.
I use a Dremmel, with a grinding stone or, preferably, a die grinder, with carbide burr.
Larry
The Tireman kit that I bought did not require any grinding or bending of the extenders. Everything slipped in per the directions provided.
The long and U-configured *valves* need no grinding, shaping, or burring, but the holes in the *wheel covers* usually do; elongating the valve "outlet" holes in the wheel covers allows the valve to clear the hole and prevent the wheel cover from rubbing or cutting through the valve.
Hmm, I'll have to look at the installation a bit closer, but from what I saw today none of the valves was rubbing against the "simulators" or the wheels. In fact, Lazy Daze provided a set of 8 extensions to the lug nuts to prevent the "simulators' from rotating and bumping up against the metal valves and thereby preventing the possibility of cutting the valves.
This is the main reason I bought Alcoa wheels. A bit expensive at first but amortized over 14 years not so bad. Look good, easy and reliable airing.
Terry
2003 26.5' RB
Gardnerville, NV
Reviving this thread...
Another braided extender has failed... I tried to order the Tire Man extenders last week. No one replied to my email, 2 out of three of the phone numbers seem disconnected. I left a VM on the third and never heard pack. Perhaps this business has closed.
Anyway, after no luck I searched for the Borg extenders and they came up for $28 a set at Camping World! I checked the Borg company site and they seem to be the ones referenced here. I ordered them and have located a place to install them. I will post how it goes.
Here are the links:
Borg @ Camping World (https://www.campingworld.com/duallyvalve-older-motorhome-dually-16-steel-oval-375-x-275-class-c?cvsfa=2734&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=3834373330&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjo7bhvmm2wIVFsNkCh3vGwUfEAQYASABEgKOMvD_BwE)
Borg Link (http://yourtireshopsupply.com/product/3449/dl1sstc-chrome-duallyvalve-dl1sstc)
Have a great Memorial Day!
Pete
Pete,
Ditching the braided valve “extenders” is a wise move. I have, as have others here, moved to solid one piece “long” valves mounted directly to the rims. It helps in so many ways. The least of which is the ease of checking/adding air to your tires.
I saw the Borge’s on CW for $28 but was hesitant to have my brother order his set through them in preference to dealing directly with Borge.
The CW price seemed low. I paid about $165 for a four piece set for the inner and outer rear dually’s and that was about two years ago.
You will appreciate the long valve stems over the braided “extenders” in peace of mind alone.
If you haven’t already done so, a TPMS adds even more comfort level to your travels.
Kent
I am sorry to report that Chuck, the owner of Tireman, has passed away. I just received a phone call from his daughter apologizing that my order was not responded to. The business is closed.
Pete
Pete,
Ditching the braided valve “extenders” is a wise move. I have, as have others here, moved to solid one piece “long” valves mounted directly to the rims. It helps in so many ways. The least of which is the ease of checking/adding air to your tires.
I saw the Borge’s on CW for $28 but was hesitant to have my brother order his set through them in preference to dealing directly with Borge.
The CW price seemed low. I paid about $165 for a four piece set for the inner and outer rear dually’s and that was about two years ago.
You will appreciate the long valve stems over the braided “extenders” in peace of mind alone.
If you haven’t already done so, a TPMS adds even more comfort level to your travels.
Kent
Yes I agree, the price is very low. The exact same set goes for 120 on the Borg site. My guess is CW might be dumping them as most people have newer rigs requiring a different set.
If the set I ordered does not work out for any reason I will post it here. Probably that is 1 to 2 weeks from now.
In looking at the CW site, it raises the question: For a Ford chassis of a given year, are the metal parts the same regardless of the wheel type you have-- meaning, the only difference is the grommets? They list different grommet numbers that I will research to find the appropriate ones for my Alcoa wheels.
For a Ford chassis of a given year, are the metal parts the same regardless of the wheel type you have-- meaning, the only difference is the grommets? They list different grommet numbers that I will research to find the appropriate ones for my Alcoa wheels.
No, the extenders need the proper length and bend to fit a particular wheel the.
I have never seen a grommet for aluminum wheels, not sure how this is handled.
Please let us know, if you find out.
Larry