tyre pressure monitoring systems... good... bad... waste of money?

[wakychapmans]

having trashed too many tyres because I'm a) lazy and b) lazy and c) never notice them until they're so far gone that the tyre is a write off.

I was considering investing in a tyre pressure monitoring system for the 4wd and trailer.

It would be nice to catch a leaking tyre before it gets so trashed that it's an expensive write off...

does anyone have any experiance with them?

waste of money?

brands to steer clear of?

recommended brands?


thanks.

[Hewy54]

A mate and I bought the Tyredog system 4 years ago. I got the internal sensors, he got external. Saved a tyre for him on the Birdsville track, so basically saved the cost of both systems.
The internal system is safer and gives better temp readings, but is a pain to fit (luckily my kids have a tyre business so this is not a problem). My batteries have gone flat in the sensor and am waiting to find out if they can be replaced.
Given my time over again, I would get the external sensors.
I have just bought a cheapy on Ebay to go on the van and the spares.
Would not be without them now I have tried them.

[wakychapmans]

thanks for the feedback Hewy54.

[geopaj]

A mate and I bought the Tyredog system 4 years ago. I got the internal sensors, he got external. Saved a tyre for him on the Birdsville track, so basically saved the cost of both systems.
The internal system is safer and gives better temp readings, but is a pain to fit (luckily my kids have a tyre business so this is not a problem). My batteries have gone flat in the sensor and am waiting to find out if they can be replaced.
Given my time over again, I would get the external sensors.
I have just bought a cheapy on Ebay to go on the van and the spares.
Would not be without them now I have tried them.

i

Couple you please share a link to the eBay ones you bought? There are so many it's hard to sort the wheel from the chaff. Thanks in advance

[Hewy54]

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InChange InCTPMS-EXT01 TPMS Tire Pressure Monitor System with 4 Sensors &Monitor
( 221440677071 )
This is the one I got as a cheapy. Tried it on the 6x4 trailer and on the airbags and seems to work OK. Waiting to find out from Tyredog if I can replace the internal sensor batteries. If not I will try the cheapy and see how it works on the truck.

[tk421]

There was a bit of a buzz around these last year on one of the other forums I'm on. I've never fitted them though

http://www.fobotyre.com.au

[D4D]

I've got a 5 tyre Tyredog unit with external sensors for the Prado, it works well. When one of the sensors starting reading +2 PSI out of warranty, I took it back to the disty and they replaced it. Can't ask for better service than that. You do get OCD and keep playing with the pressures to get them all the same, or maybe that is just me

[AdrianLR]

I had one on the Paj which replaced the valves. Worked well when it worked but occasionally one sensor didn't register. As others have said, more accurate temperature reading but a pest to change sensors when the battery goes flat (it's the whole sensor for this type). I did appreciate the convenience when changing pressures of not having to remove the sensor. Now have OEM systems in the Y62 Patrol and my wife's CX-5. We've had two slow leaks due to a rivet & nail in one tyre and a tec screw in another in the last month and both times the systems have alerted low pressure so that we could add air to keep going before getting the tyre replaced and/or repaired.

[Swannie]

I'll be grabbing done soon. Looking at the sensa tyre brand

Swannie

[woftam]

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=45080.msg758702#msg758702
 In addition to the info on the above link I can now report the alarm is very noticable when it goes off. Had a high temp alarm when one of the tyres hit 47C with the limit set to 45C - mind you ambient temp was in the high 30's and we were fairly well loaded travelling at highway speeds.
Also have noticed the left rear tyre always runs at least 2-3 degrees above the other tyres and yes it was the left rear that alarmed
And yes D4D you are not alone in trying to match the pressures exactly. I also try and achieve the 4PSI rule as well. The TPMS makes both these much easier - so far I've managed to achieve a 4PSI rise for a full load on a highway run but this will undoubtedly change when I hook the camper up.

[Ray-C]

Hi, I've got the tyredog, six external sensors.about four years ago when they work they work well, I have replaced two sensors so far and I have another faulty, at a hundred dollars a sensor it begins to get expensive.

cheers Ray

[GGV8Cruza]

I have a cheapy from super cheap. Screws onto the valves and a small discrete screen unit plugs into the lighter socket. Only problem is it does not like it when the air is below 20psi. Happy with the unit and was only around $120 when specials were on


GG

[Snapman007]

I had a look at these at one of the shows earlier this year. One that I looked at was an internal one that wrapped around the rim. Can't remember exactly but they were around $400 - $500 for a set plus fitting but the big issue for me was the non replaceable battery that had a life expectancy of upto 7years before the whole unit needs replacing. To me this means normal battery life is 3-4years but one unit has made it to 7 years.
At the time I thought it was too expensive but the last set of tyres cost me $500 each. If it saves 1 tyre though it pays for itself.

[Aussie Iron]

I run a six sensor Tyre Dog setup on my Canter (external sensor). Have done for four years, saved three tyres so far and have never had a sensor fail yet. I don't chase pressure that much as I have a good gauge I use when changing pressure but use it for the over temp alarm (slow down as you are going to fast for the pressure you are running at the time) and when a tyre gets a leak. You can change the batteries in the external ones and have to do so at least once a year. REAL CHEAP INSURANCE.

Dan.

[HKB Electronics]

I would highly recommend a TPMS to everyone, they have saved me grief a few times now.

I've tried a few, the only one I would now recommend is the Inawise units,
you don't need a repeater if monitoring a van, sensors are in wheels which
you may or may not like but they have 6+ years battery life and my monitor
has one button push reset when airing down which I have found very handy.
Sales and after sales support is excellent.

[Snapman007]

How much $$$ are the Inawise?

[HKB Electronics]

http://www.inawise.com.au/

[LongGU]

I am running an 8 sensor innawise system and dont like driving without it.
I had a small problem with the unit and there back up service is 2nd to none.
Replaced it with the upgraded unit no questions.
If your doing alot of 4WDriving and dropping pressures regularly i would definitely recommend the internal sensor tyoe system.
For the cost it has only got to save one tyre and its paid for itself.
Also great for watching temps when tyres are deflated.

[feisty]

Killed a tyre. Bought a tpms and Murphys law says I will never kill another and never need the tpms. Win/win I reckon. Tyre dog 5 tyre version

[briann532]

I have bought 2 x tyredog systems........

First one worked really well.
Till I went on an outback trip.............
Admittedly we drove some pretty serious stuff and it was tough going, but I wrecked the external sensors.
Then ones on the camper just copped too many stones on them and got destroyed and I wrecked one on the car.............

That negative said, I have had a really positive experience with them. I only put them on when I go on a trip, I don't use them for every day.
I think the  best bit is being able to monitor the camper tyres from the car.

Don't expect an external sensor to cop serious off road business and you should be fine.
In hindsight, I should have fitted the internal sensors, but also in hindsight I'm a billionaire............

Live and learn, but I reckon they are worth the money.

Cheers
Brian

[McGirr]

I have a cheapy from super cheap. Screws onto the valves and a small discrete screen unit plugs into the lighter socket. Only problem is it does not like it when the air is below 20psi. Happy with the unit and was only around $120 when specials were on


GG

X 1. Have done 2 Cape Trips, a gulf trip and driving on corrugated roads out here at Warburton and still going great. Only put in new batteries recently.

Mark

[PenUltimate Destinations]

I've got a 4 tyre system from tyredog, external sensors on the 4wd. I've loved it for the last 12 months(ish) that I've been running it.

So much so that I really now want to monitor the tyres on the camper as well. Tempted to get a second system for the remaining 4 tyres (spare for car, camper, and 2 running tyres) but without the hassle of running 2  systems.

[Gunsrunner]

X 1. Have done 2 Cape Trips, a gulf trip and driving on corrugated roads out here at Warburton and still going great. Only put in new batteries recently.

Mark

I'm also using the SC 4 tyer external system. $100 on sale, 12mths 45k km and still going strong. Also thinking about a second set. 20psi alarm is a pain though.

[Wagon Man]

I would highly recommend a TPMS to everyone, they have saved me grief a few times now.

I've tried a few, the only one I would now recommend is the Inawise units,
you don't need a repeater if monitoring a van, sensors are in wheels which
you may or may not like but they have 6+ years battery life and my monitor
has one button push reset when airing down which I have found very handy.
Sales and after sales support is excellent.

Leigh, how long have you had the Inawise unit for?

[HKB Electronics]

I have had the Inawise for around two years with no issues.

The internal sensors have survived all the Len Beadell roads as has the receiver so they are a pretty robust unit.

The one touch reset for airing down is great, though if you want to set actual alarm pressures you can't on the unit I have, it works
on a percentage basis but I have not found this to be an issue. On the Anne Beadell I found the conventionly TPMS in the cars stereo
to be a bit of a pain as it took a few days travel to find maximum tyre temperatures encountered due to tyre slip on soft sand towing etc resulting in the occasional temperature alarm, then having to stop access the TPMS menu fiddle the temperature settings etc. On the Inawise just press the reset button and keep going.