Many people go RVing for years before they wonder “Hmm, what do RV tire pressure monitors do?” Usually it takes a tragic incident for them to seek the answer. Today, you’re in luck. You don’t have to wait for tragedy to find you. Keep reading to learn the three benefits of an RV tire pressure monitor (TPMS). Once you know why they are so helpful, you will never go RVing without one.
A TPMS Stands Between You and Disaster
In summer, 2018, six people died from an RV tire blowout. The cause? A trailer that did not have a tire pressure monitoring system. An RVer was unknowingly driving on the highway after suffering a tire blowout.
As the metal rim scraped on down the highway, sparks flew and ignited the parched hillside. Within a month, the tragic wildfire burned 229,651 acres and cost over $1.659 billion in damages to over 1,000 homes and properties.
The RVer didn’t start the fire intentionally. But after driving for years without discovering the best tire pressure monitors for campers, the driver accidentally caused the sixth biggest wildfire in California history. You don’t want to be the next guy who does the same with a RV tire blowout. The most important thing that an RV TPMS does is prevent tire blowouts that lead to tragic events.
What Do Tire Pressure Monitors Do?
Tire pressure monitors are a critical aftermarket accessory for motorhomes, travel trailers, and truck campers. Many new RVs have build-in TPMS systems. This is a must-have device if your RV doesn’t have one. A TPMS is one of the best RV gadgets worth the money.
Here is a basic explanation of what tire pressure monitors do:
- After buying the best TPMS for motorhomes and trailers like yours, you attach small valve stem sensors to each tire on your RV and tow vehicle tire.
- The small, battery or solar-powered sensors sit on your wheels permanently. As you travel, the computerized sensors gather critical information about the state of your RV tires. The data streams to a small monitoring device located on or near your RV dashboard. For most new TPMS systems, tire data also appears on the accompanying app installed on your smartphone.
- Each TPMS sensor reads the temperature of the air inside of your tire. When it falls below your pre-determined high temperature threshold, it sends a loud alert to you. The TPMS tells you when tire pressure is too high or too low. It alerts when tire temperature is too hot or too cold. And it alerts when sudden air loss happens. You’ll also know when sensor batteries need replacing.
How to Choose Between Top Rated RV Tire Pressure Monitors
Top rated RV tire pressure monitors seem to be everywhere on the internet. And they are! Choosing the right one for our fifth wheel trailer was an overwhelming process. We started the TPMS research process by talking to other RVers with fifth wheels similar to our size and model.
Turning to RV discussion forums like iRV2 is a great starting point for any RVer. The following questions can help you learn what specific tire pressure monitors do to help RV tires stay safe:
- What is the easiest TPMS to install?
- Which model is durable enough for off-road conditions?
- Can TPMS sensors read the range (distance) between my wheels and driver cockpit?
- How much does the best TMPS cost for my RV?
Where to Find the Best RV Tire Pressure Monitors for RVs
Check out RV tire pressure monitor reviews on the web. Where else but Amazon can you find hundreds of in-depth RV owner TPMS reviews?
One of the most purchased TPMS systems are those made by TireMinder.
TireMinder’s systems are the most popular TPMS for motorhomes and travel trailers.
Other TPMS manufacturers popular with RVers include:
Guta RV Tire Pressure Monitoring System
and Vesafe TPMS
New RV TPMS systems enter the market every year. For your best bet, look for manufacturers with long track records of durability and customer support.
Whichever RV TPMS you buy, you can’t go wrong. All RVers are certainly better off RVing with a TPMS than traveling without one.
