We've often "lectured" on the necessity to caring properly for your tires. 'Take care of your tires and they'll take care of you!' has been our mantra. A major part of caring for those rubber donuts is making sure you've got sufficient air pressure. How do you test yours?
Some folks rely on "built in" gauge on the hose down at the gas station. You may have noticed that those gauges have been becoming fewer and fewer as the days roll along. And even when the hose does have a gauge, after having been slapped around like a TV wrestler, they tend to get a bit punch drunk and don't give reliable information.
Some folks like the "put it in your shirt pocket," "stick" style air gauge. They may have a point, but we've found the "stick" type aren't always accurate, and often have the drawback of having fewer "graduations," making it difficult to ensure what the pressure is within less than five pounds. Here's another case of spending a few more bucks, but spending it wisely. The "dial" type air gauges are more accurate, and usually read down to the precise pound of pressure.
If you spring for the dial style, do take good care of it. Dropping it on the pavement can cause irepairable damage. We carefully put ours away in the "glove box" (who--other than snobs maybe--drive with gloves these days?) when not in use.
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14 comments:
Could you address the digital tire guages please? I take good care of mine (glove box like you) and believe it's accurate.
I always enjoy your informative and helpful articles.
I know I need to check my air pressure in my tires. BUT
I need a inpack wrench to remove the wheel covers.
Were are the gas stations that have 80 / 100 pounds air pressure ?
How about a digital with a readout that holds until released?
You did not address digital tire gauges. I use one and I find it to be very accurate.
Any feedback from anybody?
We use the digital gauge by Haltec and believe it's pretty accurate. At $45+/- (rally price) it's probably more than many RVers are willing to spend. We use the truck-style dial gauge that Camping World sells as a backup. I think the key is to use a quality gauge that's designed for the pressure range of the rig you have (e.g., we need 115 PSI CIP in our steer tires).
With respect to finding high pressure air, any truck stop should do. We use Flying Js a lot because they're RV-friendly, but anywhere you see semi traffic, you'll find the air pressure you need.
What about the ones that can be purchased from a major camping chain that attach to the valve stem and display a color change when the air pressure falls below a predetermed, set level?
Big L in TX
Please address the ones that can be purchased from major retail camping outlets that attach directly on the valve stem. The end of the stem changes color when the air pressure falls below a predermined, set value.
How do you know if the gauge you just paid good money for is ACCURATE ??
You have not addressed the "accuracy" of either gauge. The dial gauge gave you a more precise number than the stick gauge but unless you check each of them against a Master Gauge, you have no way of knowing the correct value of the pressure in the tire.
The "Big O" tire service that I use at home for my cars and trailer gave me the same gauge that they use. It is probably accurate to within a couple of pounds even if it is the pocket type. I also use nitrogen in the trailer tires (60psi) and my tow vehicle (50psi). So far all is well
I have tried a digital gage and find its readings to be irratic. I can measure the same tire 5 times and get 5 different readings. How, indeed, do you know what is accurate? I also carry a small electric compressor which is good for up to 120 psi and can fill my tires anywhere I need to as long as the generator starts or there is shore power available.
I have a digital guage that I obtained on sale at Sears.quite a savings. holds its display. I have also put extenders on my wheels which helps . A self contained battery compressor also is a handy device. But you have to keep ther charge up . I got this from Sears also. A.D. Copestakes, NH
I've checked my stick tire guage against my digital and both against the guages on my large air compressor.
The stick often stuck, resulting in low readings. My digital is consistently 4 pounds lower than the guages on my compressor. The only guage that reads the same as the guages on the compressor is the dial-type that's built into a handle and tire chuck arrangement.
Perhaps the two guages on my compressor and the dial-type are equally wrong, but that seems like quite a coincidence.
I use the same guages that the truck industry uses. Pick one up at any truck stop. Work great and are accurate. For the Jeep and Harley, I use a everyday round guage from Snap-On that I've had for years, Still accurate.
As for obtaining air on the road, use truck stops, tire shops and such. At times the tire shops cast a disarming glance but as a rule, they are pretty good. All you have to do is to "ASK" and if they're ugle, just smile and move on. I have an on-board air compressor system on my Jeep Wrangler that will allow 120 psi if needed. Check with one of the Jeep suppliers like 4 Wheel Hardware, Quadratech and others. I also am thinking of purchasing a small portable compressor for the "A" . Hmmm----dual air systems?
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