Tires Leaking 2014 Big Sky - Montana Owners Club

packwood2 · 01-31-2014, 03:15 PM

We are losing air pressure in our tires due to the valve stem connection inside the wheel.Is anyone else experiencing this problem?
We have a 2014 3625 Big Sky...

**DQDick** · 01-31-2014, 03:25 PM

Do you have Marathon or 614's?

bncinwv · 01-31-2014, 03:35 PM

Since it is a Big Sky, it has 614's. I can almost guarantee that the leakage is at the base of the valve stems. Some owner's have had this problem and reported it on the forum. Unfortunately the only reliable fix is to have the valve stems replaced. I would take it to the dealer and have the work done under the warranty. If that is not possible, you will have to remove the tires and take them to a tire shop to have the work done. Most tire service companies will not have the expertise needed to jack the rig up properly to remove the tires. If you elect to take this approach, thank goodness for the Level up system, it is a definite benefit, pull it into their lot and use the level up to raise the rig and have them remove the tires, they will be amazed and you will be the talk amongst all the customers there!!

On edit: Read John's response below, if they can be tightened, that is the first approach to try for sure!
Bingo

johncamtravel · 01-31-2014, 03:36 PM

If you have the metal valve stems try to tighten the nut that pulls the valve stem against the rim. I had a problem like that on my old rim. Once that I tightened the valve stem against the rim the air leak stopped and it was fine after that.

packwood2 · 01-31-2014, 04:15 PM

Thank You for all the input...We aired up our tires and drove our rig yesterday to a commercial tire dealer and he replaced the the valve stems, but he was not confident that we would not have further problems. Due to the position of the valve stem on the rim. So we are taking one of the tires to another dealer for further inspection. But it sounds like other people are having the same problem.
So we will wait another week before we venture out on the road...

HOOK · 01-31-2014, 10:36 PM

Ours are maintaining pressure well. Check not only the stem to wheel contact, but the valve core inside the stem.

Phil P · 02-01-2014, 01:42 AM

Hi

I had my commercial Goodyear tire dealer install G614’s on the original 80PSI wheels that came with the trailer and in 3 years I never had to add air.

I have had real good luck with the G614 on the heavy 110PSI Tredit wheels. I have not had to add any air since the commercial Goodyear dealer I do business with check the tire installation and valve stems before inflating the tire and balancing them. These wheels were shipped to me with the tires installed but deflated.

Phil P

jfaberna · 02-01-2014, 02:03 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by bncinwv

...If you elect to take this approach, thank goodness for the Level up system, it is a definite benefit, pull it into their lot and use the level up to raise the rig and have them remove the tires, they will be amazed and you will be the talk amongst all the customers there!!

Bingo

Exactly how do you use the Level Up system to change tires? Obviously a manual process. Do you just extend the rear jacks until all 4 tires are off the ground? Do you need to keep the front jacks at the same height to reduce stress on the trailer?

bncinwv · 02-01-2014, 02:31 AM

Even though the manual recommends against it, it is possible to raise the rig enough to change the tires. There were previous posts on the varying procedures that "could" be used. My preference would be to do one side at a time. This is not an endorsement of the practice, but if the system has the capability, why not utilize it? And yes, you would have to use the manual functions to accomplish it.
Bingo

jfaberna · 02-01-2014, 02:45 AM

I did notice that when I auto leveled in James Island County CG. The system had no problems extending my driver side of the trailer so the tires were completely off the ground. I had not issues that week and the system still works.

richfaa · 02-01-2014, 03:34 AM

Yes three of the stems on our 13 Big Sky were bad. They were improperly installed..

Captain Joe · 02-01-2014, 05:27 AM

Had a similar problem, but Camping World was able to put a small socket over the valve and tighten it. It was loose and the rubber seal was not seated tight. Problem fixed.

Phil P · 02-01-2014, 09:35 AM

Hi

The reason the manufacturer doesn’t recommend using the level up system to change tires is because like any hydraulic system there is the possibility of the system suddenly retracting all or some of the cylinders for various reasons like a hose failure.

While if I had it I would use it for this purpose I do have 4 jack stands that I would put under the axels to prevent the trailer from sitting down on the drums (possibly with me under one) in the case of some inadvertent retraction of the hydraulic cylinders.

Phil P

mail2us · 02-01-2014, 10:23 AM

We purchased our BS thru CW and they have inspected all our tires and even the spare. While we had no leaks I did ask that they be checked and all is good thanks to CW techs. They have been excellent to us here in the Ocala area as well as in NC near Asheville. Rig has been good since purchase of April 2013. Love it.

You may also like: