Toad Ready...

[bushpilot-TC]

got the base plates installed on our new Jeep and did some TESTING....
we're SET !

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

That looks cool hooked to the p/u truck. Are you going to wire up the tail lights so you can plug and power them from the truck? I know it's probably more work to set up that way but maybe less work down the road?

 

[bushpilot-TC]

that WAS my plan bob - but theres some wiring change in the '12 jeep, the mopar part doesnt work - they are revising so i had to go w/ magnetic lights for now.

 

[bushpilot-TC]

sorry for the poor quality (operator error...i was hurrying around loading up at the chance to leave a day earlier than expected).

26 hours door to door (houston to virginia) - that included a 3 hour nap (at the Alabama/Mississippi line) and about 2 hours in other stops (fuel & walkin' the dog).

 

[bushpilot-TC]

over the last couple of weeks id been working to eliminate the Magnetic Lights i was temporarily using for dinghy brake/running lights.

wasnt easy - theres are plenty of issues w/ the factory integrated jeep harness like -
non standard plug and color wiring, not ENOUGH wiring/cable to comfortably reach the coach (and still be able to make turns.

I hacked the factor jeep harness/plug added some length to it and put a more standard trailer plug under the front bumper on the drivers side (jeep would have you put their plug IN the grill on the passenger side)...everything is better disguised this way & i can still go back to jeep/factory wiring or buy a coach to dinghy cord at just about any trailer parts or RV store.

Since i had to make my own safety chains (needed a little more than 6 feet) I OVER BUILT and used Grade 70 chain and clevis latch hooks.

I can hook pick up and drop the jeep in less than a minute now.

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

Looks great, Don. I like the color matching too. Do you use a tire pressure monitor? I bought a "Pressure Pro" system a couple of years ago at the HDT rally and I like how it has the capability to also monitor my trailer. Might be a good idea since you probably wouldn't feel a tire going flat on that Jeep while driving the truck. Isn't it fun fabbing up your own stuff and getting it to work better and look better than some off the shelf stuff?

 

[#90-GTSC]

Looks great, Don. I like the color matching too. Do you use a tire pressure monitor? I bought a "Pressure Pro" system a couple of years ago at the HDT rally and I like how it has the capability to also monitor my trailer. Might be a good idea since you probably wouldn't feel a tire going flat on that Jeep while driving the truck. Isn't it fun fabbing up your own stuff and getting it to work better and look better than some off the shelf stuff?

Bob might remember that my "introduction" to motorhoming was from a friend who owned a string of five Liberty Prevosts! He and his wife went on many, many trips and met many people MHing. He told of story of a motorhome friend of his who had a tire blow out on the tow vehicle in the days before cameras in back. Remains of the blown tire got hot and started a fire which the driver could not see in his rear view mirrors. By the time someone got him stopped (probably between the middle of nowhere and you can't get there from here), the fire was going pretty good. They were able to get the thing unhooked from the motorhome and get some distance between them. But eventually the owner lost the race between the fire, the fire extinguishers he had on board, and the fire department. Scratch one tow vehicle!

Moral of the story: Don't ever say something wouldn't happen ... it just hasn't happen "yet".

 

[bushpilot-TC]

Looks great, Don. I like the color matching too. Do you use a tire pressure monitor? I bought a "Pressure Pro" system a couple of years ago at the HDT rally and I like how it has the capability to also monitor my trailer. Might be a good idea since you probably wouldn't feel a tire going flat on that Jeep while driving the truck. Isn't it fun fabbing up your own stuff and getting it to work better and look better than some off the shelf stuff?

we just bought and (partially) installed the TST system. we selected the 507 system (w/ replaceable batteries) - I didnt buy the 4 extra sensors (for the dinghy)...YET...I wanted to become familiar w/ the system 1st and I'm not as worried about the jeep tires (since its brand new & has great tread).

I like the TST system - its interesting to see the pressure and the temp changes of each. We spent the weekend in Palmetto State Park (Tx) and put another 400 miles on the Coach (and jeep).

Interestingly enough after our trip home, I was dumping & rinsing our tanks and discovered the tires on the outside (exposed to the sun) reached 137* (f)....something i hadnt ever really considered before (they never got that hot the entire interstate run (and it was 100* when we left on friday).

Eventually I'll be adding sensors to the jeep...but w/ TWO back up cameras (one mounted low w/ a full hitch view & the other mounted high for a full view of traffic & the jeep) i think im ok (for now).

now all i need are some recommendations for VALVE extenders so i can get the sensors on the inside rear tires

 

[bushpilot-TC]

BTW we've now logged 14k miles on the coach (in 12 months of ownership) !

 

[hot rod]

We've been using the TST system (old version) on our tri-axle trailer for about 2 years now. I've got the opposite theory you do, I have them on the trailer and have been holding out on buying them for the truck. Theory being (from past experience) that I can blow a tire on the trailer and never feel a thing and don't know it unless I happen to be looking in the mirror when the belts are flapping, or somebody flags you down. The truck I can feel.

Anyway, the system works great, after an initial bout of sensor failures which they replaced under warranty with an updated version. The readout really does a good job of educating me on pressures and temperatures. I am usually on the edge of the tire weight rating, and it is amazing to see what a few miles an hour make in pressure and temperature. If I see things creeping up, I can back off a few miles per hour and everything goes right back down.

I figure the $300 investment easily pays for itself on a single saved tire. I have already had several occasions where the alarm went off for a slow leak (nails and such) where I was able to continue to a SAFE place to change the tire, and save the tire before it was ruined. Not to mention saving damage to the trailer from the tire. And peace of mind. I don't have to strain to keep an eye on the trailer tires in the mirror all the time any more.

Get those things on the toad, new tires or not you can pick up a nail at any time, and the investment is well worth the peace of mind, and a drop in the bucket compared to the investment in the unit. Keep in mind you need rigid bolt in valve stems to mount the sensors, the extra weight can damage the stems. I think the oem tpms sensors on the Jeep are bolt in deals, and you should be ok on that front.

Thinking of the inners, I have not mounted them there yet, but I am leaning towards the RV style stainless hose style extensions. My thinking is I am not sure if I trust the sensor screwed on the end of a really long rigid extension. I'm thinking that long assembly, while light, could put a lot of strain on the valve stem or loosen up. I'm interested in any input on that issue myself as I am looking to add them to the truck.