How to check the tire pressure in dual wheels

[kbhine]

We have a 2009 Pulse, and are stumped, as is the rv dealer on how to check the dual tire air pressure. It seems that there is some kind of glitch with the Sprinter tires which prevents extenders on the inside tires. We have been told that we ditch the wheel covers, and put in a "cats eye" setup. This all seems kind of crazy. Is this really the only way to keep track of the tires on these Sprinters?

[sailquik]

Hi kbhine,
I would check with a large truck tire dealer.
I'm sure they can put in high pressure valve stems
(either rubber or metal) that will allow you to check and
air up/air down your dual rear tires.
If the chrome wheel covers are in the way, I'm also sure the
truck tire dealer can find a way to modify them to clear the
inner and outer valve stems.
OEM Sprinter 3500's come with very nice plastic valve stem
extenders that seem to handle the higher pressure just fine.
You may need a dual wheel tire gauge and will need to check
your tire pressures at a truck stop or truck tire dealer as your
pressures are most likely high enough that normal filling station
air supply compressors will not provide enough pressure.
Also the truck stops have the dual nozzle on their air hoses so you
pull back to air up/test the outer wheel and push in to air up/test the
inner wheel.
Does you 2009 have the TPMS feature (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)?
If you need photos, I can probably get some in a couple of days of the
setup on my 2010 MB NCV3 3500.
Hope this helps,
Roger

[kbhine]

We are only coming up on a year on our Pulse, and haven't really taken it far from home. We are still in the midst of adding things to it, as we hear of various items. We do not have a tire monitoring system, and we think this sounds like a better idea that the cats eye. We do have the dual tire air pressure checker, and also had stems (from what we can see, they curve inwards) installed at an rv dealer, but it seems to be behind the front tire rims, to where you almost need a curved device to get to it. There doesn't seem to be a way to go straight thru to the dual tire. I had purchased the metal extensions, to be put on, but then returned them, as I was told that they would not work on these Sprinter wheels. A truck place as you said, might be the better way to go.

[Rich Niemeyer]

I installed flexible steel extenders on the inside wheels of my Pulse that work well. Pressure can be checked with a truck style pressure gauge (with flexible hose) and air can be added the same way. There is a problem with the rear wheel covers however. I managed to loose both of them on our first and second trips out. I've purchased new ones, but have yet installed them. Not sure they're really necessary and I'm not sure they'll stay on anyway. Front covers seem to be holding well.

[glas1700]

My 2006 3500 chassis (07 Navion) came with lightweight white plastic extenders for the inside duals. This is a MB installed part and can be ordered from a Dodge or MB dealer. It works fine with the OEM valve stems and isn't pressurized until you press on the stem pin. They've been used for 42K miles without any incidents.

Dodge P/N: 5166-591AA
MB P/N: A0014014613

Byron

[Stan the mailman]

The original SS wheel cover/simulators will fall off the rear dual wheels if they are the same style as the fronts.I found the supplier for them in my paperwork and contacted them.They were aware of the problem(wheel flex with the duals)and promptly sent me a pair of beautiful inset style simulators for no charge! They look great and never fall off! Stan

[couter850]

I've lost a cover too. What's the name of the supplier?
Thanks.

[atulin]

I've lost a cover too. What's the name of the supplier?
Thanks.

I bought mine here -> http://www.rvwheel.com/dosp16whsi7.html

[Papa Don]

I have a 2010 Fleetwood Pulse 24D and have also lost both my rear wheel covers. Do you know the name of the supplier. I have seen the question asked, but have not seen the answer. Going to check my paperwork.

Meanwhile, anyone have any problems with the simulator inserts? Seems to me that would make it a lot easier to keep a watch on the air pressure.

Thanks!

[Widman]

I have a spare set of front and rear wheel caps and rings. Make me an offer and I will ship them to you. I found that I could not balance my tires in spite of weights and beads added. I then bought a set of 4 Alcoa aluminum wheels and the wheel vibrations disappeared. So my
German wheels were out of round!

It also made it easier to access the valve stems using an extended tire gauge with 2 sided head.

[18Shane]

Hi, I have a 2008 Pulse duel wheels, I purchased valve extenders from Lordco in Canada and hat a tire store put them on, they come with stainless holders and look good .

If you do not have a Lordco store any truck service shop should be able to get them.

I have 10,000 miles on my extenders no problems

[al525pg]

Hi,

Suggest you use mechanix wire to wire the new wheel covers on and at least two opposite each other. Learned this through hard experience when the left rear wheel cover came off and tugged on the valve extenders and broke the metal valve stem which finished in a double blow out both tires. Now have all covers wired for double security to stay on. Is it only the Dodge Sprinters that lose their rear wheel covers? Noticed quite a few on the road with no rear wheel covers.

Al C

[azpathfinder]

I have a 2009 Fleetwood Pulse 24D. Installed Cat's Eyes right away and trouble free for over 30,000 miles. It's the easiest way to immediately see tire pressure on the duals at every fuel stop and before departing in the morning from a camp-site. Just replaced my Continental tires with Michelins and re-installed the Cat's Eyes along with high pressure valve stems. Lost one hubcap and then removed the others. Rarely add air. Cat's Eye's are 65 pound. Also easy to fill air in both duals if needed from the Cat's Eyes valve.