TST Tire Monitor saves the day

[Summitstev]

Wanted to share a quick TST success story - I was traveling on I-80 in Indiana - at approximately 62-65 MPH. I have almost 2 year old Hercules 901S tires with approximately 10000 miles on them - I have been really happy with their performance thus far. All tires were aired well and no temp issue. I got the TST warning beep and immediately pulled over. Rear driver side tire was flat.
See pic below. Damage shown is on the inside tread and side of tire.
I have had the TST on this and a previous 5th wheel - really happy with the performance and comfort level having this system.

Also - huge shoutout to Indiana State Police - my wife called and provided them our status and mile marker location. The dispatcher was great and a State Police officer arrived to provide some protection within 5 minutes. I did a quick tire change - felt like the old man from A Christmas Story!
After a successful tire change - we pulled off the next exit to recheck lug nuts and pressure.

[twindman]

My TST system saved me once also. Pulled on to I-10 from the rest stop overlook at the top of the hill in Las Cruces. Apparently ran over a bolt or such. Shortly the alarm went off and I was at 40 lb. Of course JUST AFTER an exit. Almost immediately it was at 20, so pulled over on top of the overpass!!! I had about 1 foot on the right and 1 - 1 1/2 feet to the white line on the left! Yikes. I walked back about 50 yds to put my reflector on the side and when I got back to the rig, it was resting on the rim. Probably only 1 minute from alarm to flat.


After a wait, the repair guy from good Sam showed up and changed it on the spot. Took us to a parking lot at the next exit and examined the tire. Patched it for a spare and was on the way. Only went to El Paso before returning to Mesa, so wasn't too worried.



I noticed 2 tires were wearing on one side, so when home took it to an alignment place and got it aligned. The tires were a few years old, so I bought new ones.


Without the TST I would have been going 65 mph and running on a rim.....

[432bartman]

The TST or any TPMS can really save you from a tire grenading on you. Glad it saved you. I still have two friends, who are still rolling the dice and do not use any TPMS on their 35' Reflection 5th wheels. I've told them several times to get one and they just don't think it will happen to them. Money is not the issue either. Mine saved me earlier in 2023 with a huge 6" long 1/2" diameter bolt through one of my Sailuns.

[Summitstev]

Agreed - any TPMS is well worth the money -

[Daryles]

An excellent write up by Monte

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=89929

[twindman]

Originally Posted by Daryles

An excellent write up by Monte

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=89929

I remember this post. But this summer with my TWO blowouts, the alarm sounded within 2-5 seconds. I could tell because I heard both blowouts when they happened. Alarm soon sounded. I am glad, but when I read the link above I was worried a bit, but not much because in 140,000 miles and I had no blowouts. Then 2 within a week...

[brycesteiner]

That looks bad. Glad you got it without much hassle. Harbor Freight had their small impact wrench on sale with a battery this week for $79 and I bought 3 - one for each vehicle. I am amazed at how much power they have for such a tiny package. I've had a DeWalt cordless impact and have used it many times - mostly to help others, but it's nice to have it available.
Questions:
1. Can I add that to a 2001 Montana or does that come with the new rigs? If so, what would you recommend?
2. I torque my lug nuts on vehicles - trucks and cars - to 100 Ft pounds. Is it the same for the Montana?
3. How do I read the age of my tires when I bought the 20 year old RV used?

[h2ojocky]

brycesteiner
1. yes you can add it to your rig. make sure to install on metal valve stems.
2. My trailer lugs are 120 lbs
3. On one side of the tire you will see a 4 digit code after D.O.T.
Example 0223 Manufactured 2nd week of 2023

[brycesteiner]

Great info! Thanks for sharing.

[brycesteiner]

I was looking at my tires and I don't recognize what I'm looking for. Where is it on this tire after DOT?

[jpwhite]

My TST has saved me from disaster on more than one occasion!! I installed it 4 years ago and will not travel without it.

Within the first year, the advanced warning it provided saved me a whole lot of grief. The right rear tire picked up a screw on HWY 17 /98 in central Florida. I noticed the pressure dropping just as I was getting through Lakeland. I was able to get off the highway, out of traffic and in a safe place to put the spare on before the tire was completely flat. We were even able to find a shop to plug the flat tire before continuing. That way I had a spare for the remainder of the trip.

[Tom N OH]

Originally Posted by brycesteiner

I was looking at my tires and I don't recognize what I'm looking for. Where is it on this tire after DOT?

Turn the tire over & look at the other side. It will have the letters DOT, then the 4 digit week/year code inside of an oval.

[Foldbak]

Ya I'm interested in knowing the date of manufacture. Something you should always check when purchasing. They could in fact be 4 years old.

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by brycesteiner

I was looking at my tires and I don't recognize what I'm looking for. Where is it on this tire after DOT?

Here you go

https://www.discounttire.com/learn/dot-tire-id

[brycesteiner]

I took my wheels off tonight in the near zero degree temperatures. i looked at two of them and one was 0611 and the other was 3210

It appears these are 13 and 14 years old if I'm reading them right. i guess it got me from Toledo to my house, but I don't want to gamble so I'm having new tires put on the rims tomorrow.