Braided air extensions on tires

[Dwight Wilson]

Hi folks,
Many of you may be getting your coached ready for the summer season after sitting for several months over the winter. This is just a heads up before you move the coach.
I removed the covers from my tires a couple days ago and everything looked good except the outer tires on my duals looked a bit low on each side. I needed to check the level height as I had just purchased a new tow bar from my Ford Edge so I backed the coach out of its parking spot, about 20 feet to a paved surface, made my measurements then returned it to its plywood surfaces and started measuring the tire pressure. Well the outside duals still had the 90 lbs in each but when I measured the inside tires they were both completely empty. Pulled out my compressor and they wouldn't hold air. Yep, the beads broke loose when I backed it up. I had a mobile truck tire repair guy come out. He removed all 4 tires , checked everything, reset the beads on the inners and the tires are fine. I had those popular braided air extension lines on the valves and the two connected to the inside tires had failed with just a pinhole in them where they bend at the wheel mounting bracket. This was enough to bleed out over the winter. These have been removed now and the tech installed valve extensions instead. He also turned the ones around in the tag for me. Just seems stupid that those valves faced inside anyway.
Had I just driven away for a short road test those inside tires would have caused some catastrophic damage so please check them before you move the coach and get rid of those braided lines.
BTW the guys at Kal Tire in Calgary, Alberta where wonderful so if you need assistance don't hesitate to contact them.

[Bill Sprague]

I've had two tire failures due to valve extensions.  Were not fun. 

You don't any sort of valve extensions if you have "trucker style" gauge and air chuck. 

[Jim Edwards]

I recently had a pressure loss of in mine as well so I contacted the manufacturer (still under warrantee). They focused in on the seals in the braded hoses that attach to the valve stems. I ordered a replacement braded hose because of time issues and they sent me a few extra gaskets as well. In the leaking hose, the gasket was really an O ring that had become distorted. The replacements seals were what I would describe as a flat rubber washer. I replaced the seals and lightly tightened the hoses and haven't lost a PSI since.
I think 2 things were going on. I think they had a bunch of "O" rings where there should have been flat washers, and the seals are sensitive to overtightening. (first question they asked was if a wrench was used to tighten hoses)

Just my experience.   

[Frank Bergamo]

Here is a web site that will allow you to eliminate the braided lines and all the connections with a 1 piece valve stem.  I have used these trouble free for several years. Hope this helps.http://yourtireshopsupply.com/category/796_944/motorhomesbusesclass-steelalum-wheels

[Bill Lampkin]

After several episodes with flat tires caused by braided valve extensions, we went with the bolt on stems that Frank mentions in his post.

[Roy Boles]

    When I had new tires installed by Pete’s tires in Indio. They offered me a valve stem package that has long valve stems for the inner wheels that pass through the holes in the outer wheels. I love the way they work and no more air leaks.