TPMS

[Snoopy1971]

Does anyone use an aftermarket TPMS on their vehicle? I recently got this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S7CP3PB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I didn't really get it so much to use while I'm driving my Bug, because if I have a sudden loss of tire pressure, I'll feel it, but more for when I am flat towing it.

I had an incident a couple weeks ago when flat towing it on the highway, when a tire shredded and messed up my fender.

I'm guess something punctured it while pulling it and of course I didn't know ... I saw the Bug moving a little side-to-side and just as I started slowing down to pull over, within like 3 seconds it got to the point where the top layer shredded off, causing the fender damage.

So I'm going to use this TPMS unit to prevent this from happening again, I figure it will let me know if a sudden loss of pressure happens ... was just wondering if anyone in here has any experience with them.
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1968 Bug

[Tim Donahoe]

I’ve only had one major tire blow-out, and that was in a Karmann Ghia in 1970. I’ve also had a few flat tires since then, but not enough to warrant the installation of a system to warn me.

As the years roll by, sometimes shit happens. Concerning tires, I check mine once a week on all my cars, for damage, and air pressure. So, the shit doesn’t happen to often.

One blowout on the highway fifty-one years ago. Another blowout on a city street, fifty-one years later, while going 30 mph, a few months ago. Both times, I immediately knew what was happening. The two or three flat tires, I noticed while the cars were parked.

And in only once did I tow a bug. How often do you tow a car?

To be honest, I think TPMS is a waste of money, especially in new cars where you have to replace them when the batteries go dead. Expensive, a pain in the ass, and unnecessary.

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[sb001]

[kpf]

I understand your concern: You can't feel the tires on a towed vehicle like you can if you're riding inside the vehicle.

That product looks intriguing. Apparently the range is sufficient that you can have the screen inside your truck, and the sensors on the bug's tires.

It says the sensor batteries last up to 2 years, so depending how often you tow, that could mean replacing them after a very low number of tows, but it could totally be worth it if it saves you from body damage!
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1971 Super Beetle

[birddog1]

[61SNRF]

Not sure how of if it would work on a Beetle because of their staggered tires pressures, typically something like 18 front and 24 rear.

Most systems I'm familiar with look for one low one compared to the others.
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-Bruce

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[Paul Windisch]

[61SNRF]

[Paul Windisch]

Most factory TPMS alarms are set for +/- 15-20%, so set the low alarm for 15 psi. The high alarm doesn't really matter, as that is more for overfilling, but I would set it at 28 psi. If the OP is utilizing this to monitor the tires while being towed, the high limit isn't an issue.

Also, the big advantage is the rapid pressure loss alarm. This will let him know right away that a tire experienced a major problem, and he can pull over before wrecking another fender.
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*ASE Recertified Master Automotive Tech*

1984 Mexican Beetle
-1914cc
-L3 Heads 35x32 valves 52cc chambers
-0.040" deck for about 9.1:1 Compression
-Engle W110 cam
-CB Super Stock 1.1:1 Rockers
-Stock Heat Exchangers w/ Tri-Mil Muffler
-Dual Weber IDF 40s w/ 26mm venturis
-034 SVDA Distributor

2013 Chevrolet Volt DD
2005 Pontiac Montana SV6

MAHLE Service Solutions
Applications Engineer

[Paul Windisch]

Another thing; I don't know unequivocally about this particular system, but since the sensors are fixed to a position (LF, RF, LR, RR) it might be the case that front and rear thresholds can be set independently.
_________________
*ASE Recertified Master Automotive Tech*

1984 Mexican Beetle
-1914cc
-L3 Heads 35x32 valves 52cc chambers
-0.040" deck for about 9.1:1 Compression
-Engle W110 cam
-CB Super Stock 1.1:1 Rockers
-Stock Heat Exchangers w/ Tri-Mil Muffler
-Dual Weber IDF 40s w/ 26mm venturis
-034 SVDA Distributor

2013 Chevrolet Volt DD
2005 Pontiac Montana SV6

MAHLE Service Solutions
Applications Engineer

[VW_Jimbo]

Or buy 2 systems. 1 for the front and 1 for the back. Cost a little bit more, but you would be covered on all 4!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[cbeck]

Tst 507 on my travel trailer. Color monitor, 2 styles of mounting, pressure and temp, rapid loss, scrolls to another tire every 5 seconds, comes with a repeater. Can monitor tow vehicle and multiple trailers, spares, over 100 sensors, and more my simpleton mind doesn’t need. $330 from tst.com with four sensors. Available are standard, flow thru, and waterproof sensors. Almost forgot, internal battery charged with usb cord. When charged there is no wire to the monitor required.
The cabinet and flooring ruined in my old tent camper cost far more money and effort.
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My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[Snoopy1971]

[kpf]

Here is the user manual (for the Tymate product linked above):
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/C1AUaW23pHS.pdf

I does have separate pressure alarm thresholds for front, rear, and spare (see the bottom of page 4 and top of page 5).
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1971 Super Beetle