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We always have paper maps with us. With the flick of a switch for national security reasons the country’s national GPS system can be degraded or intentionally interrupted or even turned off. Sadly many drivers that can’t read a map or don’t carry a map are oblivious to this. I am a huge advocate of our TST -TPMS system. Unless you have X-ray eyes 👀 😂 and can see all things going on with your tires inside and out, I don’t completely trust just a visual walk around. And we all know the likely hood of a blow out at a gas station or pull off is remote. It’s usually when you’re clicking off the miles on the “superslab” and hopefully you’re not in the hammer lane when your tire decides to grenade. I think @topgun2 can share a story about a blow out he had on a previously owned SOB camper and experienced such a situation. I will stick with our TPMS monitoring air pressure and tire temps along with a visual inspection of our rigs tires when we fuel up. Solid technology to help keep us rolling safely.

From what I have learned recently while researching a new Garmin GPS, it appears the vast majority of folks have abandoned their traditional GPS devices (road trips) in favor of systems like Apple Car Play via their iPhones or Androids. Suffice it to say there are a litany, almost bewildering array of options on the market that simply were not there half a dozen or more years ago. I am intrigued with the possibilities of Apple Car Play via either the Haloview devices, or ones like this: The Get Car Tablet However I am also skeptical an iPhone or an Android has the capability and features of a dedicated GPS device like the Garmin Smart Drive units. Of course this doesn't even address the amount of data one might use while traveling with smart phone as your navigation device. My goal is also to reduce clutter on the dashboard and in that vain would love to have a device that does it all, GPS, Rear View Camera, TPMS, and Apple Car Play but alas as far as I know no such device is in existence. Thanks, looking forward to learning how others have navigated this conundrum.

The "newer" Garmin GPS units come with so much more than the older units. This includes campgrounds to include boondocking spots, history data, sights to see, shopping, restaurants, height and weight limits specific to your rig, etc. I just saw a recent post on All About RV's (see here) where a "new rear view camera system" can combine several cameras and TPMS and dash cameras. Just might make those "schtinkin" cameras worth another try? Bill

Hello again, I recently purchased a TST TPMS system that includes a booster/repeater to get the signal to realiably link to the head unit in my truck. I am going to install it in the trailer this weekend and my thoughts are to include it in the Rear Camera circuit as both the rear camera and the TPMS will be powered up at the same time. The power switch for the Rear Camera is located on the Entry Switch Panel but is not tied to the Master Light Switch (it can be on when the Master Switch is off). Which DC fuse is inline with the rear camera switch- F2 Electronics? F5 Main Lights? or is it something different? Thanks for the help.

Eurekaj, To use the camera switch for your TPMS Signal Booster, you will have to tap into the "switched" camera power circuit, not the fuse. Check out the modification titled "Turning on the rear camera automatically." It has instructions and pictures for tapping into the camera circuit inside the attic, which is easier than running a wire to the camera switch. It also shows how to connect directly to the Electronics fuse if you decide against the switch and just run a hot wire. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/10461-turning-on-the-rear-camera-automatically/ Cheers! Geoff

Same. I ordered mine with the camera. Total junk. However, if I have some bikes back there, it might be useful to keep an eye on them. I did the same until I had two blowouts in the same camping trip. I now use a TPMS device that keeps track of not only pressure but temperature. I use this in addition to the old school method of "kicking" the tires.

We don't need no schtinkin' cameras! Our OTT installed 10-year-system camera system has never been used by us. Fired it up once and the screen is certainly low-res, never used while traveling. Been backing up trailers for 40 years without cameras and will continue to do so. When I cleaned up our front roof, I removed the forward camera, the cell booster and the Winegard dish, followed by a lot of fiberglass repair! Our rear camera is still back there and should be removed sooner or later. Don't like driving, especially towing, looking at screens while eyes should be on the road! Old school thinking here, but I also believe a TPMS system won't help in a blowout situation which is the main safety issue re tires. I've had a habit for decades of visual inspection of all tires before I ever sit in any vehicle, every time. I'll check all 8 tires when towing for proper shape, meaning tire pressure is likely still as I had set it, every time I'll tow the Oliver, a 360 walk-around, check the hitch connections too. The apps we use, Apple Maps, GasBuddy, Waze, Campendium, etc. are either running on Chris' phone or on mine only when I'm on breaks, not driving. Looking forward, concentrating a mile up the road, is something I realized to be extremely important from when I first riding motorcycles a long, long time ago and ever since. Most others are not looking, thus we must.

Good grief @Steve Morris indeed there are some sleaze bags out on the road. Never ran into this yet, hope I don't but something serious to consider now. In the meantime I also found another very interesting device on Haloview that I initially overlooked. It's the Rear View Camera integrated with Apple Car Play or Android Play. Link here For those who already have a TPMS system but not the newer tech found in new trucks and autos this could be beneficial. Thanks

Just came across this company today while investigating GPS devices, Infotainment system upgrades, and all things monitoring via 12 volt DC in the tow vehicle. Had not heard of this company until now but the inclusion of a TPMS system integrated into a Rear View Camara with high quality monitor and imaging seems like a double win to me. https://www.haloview.com/products.html And here this fellow provides and excellent review and YouTube video demonstration of the Haloview setup. Hope y'all find it usuful

Wow, that's a nice setup! I have the TST system for monitoring tire pressure and a VIOFO Dash Cam A119 Mini 2. And based on Mike Urbancic's replacement rear view camera at the rally, I just bought a Haloview MC7108 to swap for my Furrion. Combining these three into one unit would be fantastic, and eliminate some wiring. The Haloview I just bought was $200, and I could send it back. But I'm not sureI want to spend an additional $400 to replace the TPMS and dash cam I already have. Hmmmm... But if I were starting again, this is definitely the way I’d go.

Shortly after arriving home from our delivery trip to Hohenwald, I installed a TireMinder i10 Tire Pressure Management System (TPMS), with six sensors, a monitor and a signal booster (installed later). Four of the sensors were fitted to the valve stems of the four trailer wheels on the ground, one on the trailer spare and one to the tow vehicle spare. The sensors transmit tire pressure and tire temperature status continuously to the small monitor in the tow vehicle. The 433 MHz RF signal booster is to ensure the signals from the sensors reach the monitor. The TPMS is quite configurable and can support up to 10 sensors simultaneously. Thresholds can be user specified and the system is preconfigured to create alerts for slow leaks or catastrophic loss of tire pressure. I first mounted the sensors to all the six wheels. The sensors appeared to have no problem communicating with the monitor in the tow vehicle. I deferred about a month installing the signal booster. Mounting the sensors is quite straightforward, requiring only insertion of provided disc batteries to the sensors, then screwing the sensors onto the valve stems. I like the inclusion of a lock nut to secure the sensors to the valve stems, using a provided small wrench. TireMinder Air Pressure & Temperature Sensor TireMinder i10 Monitor On each spare wheel I added 36" long extension hoses ($11 each) and 90 degree valve stem extensions ($7/pair), based on a recommendation from @John E Davies. The TireMinder sensors are mounted to the end of the extension hoses, which are routed through the wheel spokes to the accessible side of the spares. The valve stem extensions allow the hoses to be attached to the valve stems with no danger of kinking. These accessories eliminate a huge PITA- both spares are stored with their valve stems inaccessible. The trailer spare mounts with the valve stem facing the rear wall of the trailer. The tow vehicle spare is stowed valve stem down in a well under the cargo area at the rear of the vehicle. Now the TPMS reports the tire pressure with no hassle. Even if the spares require addition of air, the access is easy, without removing the spares from their storage positions. I always intended to install the signal booster, but had not settled on the best location. The installation instructions recommend locating the signal booster on the undercarriage, toward the front of travel trailers, with the antennas pointed toward the ground. The signal booster requires 12 volts DC for operation. I searched the OTTO forum seeking information on locations chosen by Oliver LEII owners for mounting such signal boosters. I found references to mounting signal boosters within the doghouse or in one of the upper storage compartments, neither of which appeared to offer ease of connection to a 12 VDC supply. Other owners indicated they had not installed the signal booster, since the monitor seemed to reliably provide tire pressure and temperature information. While vacuuming fiberglass dust from all areas accessible under the interior access hatches, I found what appeared to be an ideal location for the TPMS signal booster. The hatch under the rear dinette seat is the location of the Progressive Industries Surge Protector, mounted to the wall on the aisle side of the compartment. Adjacent to that location is a large area of unobstructed wall. Just below the surge protector is a ground bus and on the forward wall is the rear of the DC distribution panel. I believe this is a very desirable location for the signal booster. It is located low, slightly forward of the axles, in a protected space near the needed power supply. TPMS Signal Booster Location The TireMinder Signal Booster is attached to the fiberglass wall using an Industrial Velcro Coin, which enables easy removal. TPMS 12 VDC Power Switch I chose the top of the Progress Industries Surge Protector to mount a switch to turn the 12 VDC power supply to the TireMinder Signal Booster ON/OFF. The signal booster has a green light to indicate the power is ON. The wires from the signal booster are very thin and are both black (despite the instruction manual indicating one to be red and the other black). I don't believe it matters which is +12 VDC and which is Ground (GND). I routed the wires along cables in the compartment. The pink zip ties appearing in the photos provide clues to the routing. I arbitrarily selected a position on the Ground Bus to mount one of the wires to be Ground. The other wire was routed to the rear of the DC Distribution Panel, mounted on the forward wall of the compartment. Fuse position 14 was unused, so I selected it and connected the second wire from the TireMinder Signal Booster, using a crimp-on connector. Finally, I inserted a 3 amp fuse to the front side of the DC Distribution Panel, position 14. DC Ground Bus DC Distribution Panel (Rear) DC Distribution Panel (Front) Summary Although I had encountered no problems with the communication between the tire pressure/temperature sensors and the TireMinder Monitor, I believe having the signal booster installed reduces the risk of loss of communication between the sensors and the monitor. I have been leaving the signal booster on while traveling and turning power OFF when in storage. The signal booster draws only 75mA (Transmitting) to 14mA (Inactive). I tested the range with the signal booster installed and powered ON. I was able to walk over 300 feet from the trailer with the monitor receiving signals. I have been impressed with the TireMinder TPMS system. I have not mounted the monitor in the tow vehicle, but keep it on the center console, where I can view it as desired, and also hear any alarms which may occur. I purchased the TireMinder i10 and six sensors from TechnoRV (https://www.technorv.com/) for $279.65 (no shipping and no sales tax).

I thought that I'd post this in case anyone else runs into the situation that I did whereby the TPM sensor battery compartment was unable to be removed with the supplied stamped sheet metal wrench. In my case the battery compartment was so stuck on that the supplied wrench began rounding off the plastic hex nut profile of the sensor, had I gone any further the sensor would have been ruined. I ended up using a 1/2 inch six-sided socket that provided much more surface area contact than the wrench and the socket did not mar the surface of the plastic nut; even doing that I was unable to grasp the barrel end of the sensor with enough force using my hand to unscrew the barrel from the sensor until I squeezed the barrel between the padded hand grips of my channel-lock pliers ( don't use the jaw end or you'll risk crushing the barrel ). Curiously ProSmart used to ship a tool that more accurately fit the profile of the sensor but have included only the stamped sheet metal wrench in the current kits which provides significantly less surface area contact leading to the possibility of destroying the plastic nut profile. Also, when replacing tires I'd recommend changing the tire stems to metal versions rather than rubber to prevent premature failure of the stem as a result of the added weight of the TPM sensors.

My 2 cents: We've done fine with just the Norcold 3-way trailer fridge. It holds more than we expected. Harbor Freight has inexpensive multimeters. We have the Progressive Industries 30 amp surge protector. It's an outlet tester, too. https://a.co/d/7r1GfAS We have the Fort Knox hitch lock. A bit cheaper. https://a.co/d/2mTY5Z7 Trash can that hangs on pantry door: https://a.co/d/c1gUm5B Agree on Magma pots, TPMS, and rubber chocks. Especially TPMS! I'm too tall for a shower floor cover. We have a small mat that fits the shower floor. During the day it keeps dirt, etc. off the shower floor. In the morning, it becomes the bath mat. The are other products reviewed on our blog. Have fun shopping.

Greetings! I need to remove the TPMS transmitters to inflate the tires but I can't get them off. The little wrench they supplied does not do the trick. Any other suggestions? Carl

I just installed the TireMinder i10 on my 2022 Oliver which was straightforward enough; however now two of four tires have leaking (stuck) stem valves! I managed to screw all the transmitters on so the leaks are stopped and the tire pressure is at the planned 55 psi. Questions: Is this a common problem/result of installing this product? I assume I need to install (learn how to) some new valve stems and not some how fix? Any recommendations on brand or model for new stems? Install method advise? I have Cooper Tires "Discover HT3" tires as equipped by the factory. Thanks for any advise.

A friend with 2021 Ford f150 is ordering an Elite. Can anyone tell me if Ford supplied tpms and backup camera is available to work woth Ford screen?

Part of Annual Maintenance is to Check Tire PSI. We have TPMS on our tires. At last year's Maintenance service, per the invoice the PSI was not checked due to our TPMS. The TPMS keeps track of PSI. We can remove the TPMS upon arrival at the service center. If you remove your TPMS, how do you keep track of each sensor to its tire. What do people do? I know many have TPMS. I would like Oliver to be able to check the PSI as we believe one tire may be low. Maybe I am being overly concerned about something of little consequence. ty

In looking at TPMS for the trailer that we are getting in November, I like the TST 507 tpms. It gives both tire pressure and temperature of the trailer tires and an audible warning when limits are exceeded. My vehicle has a tpms which lights up when the pressure is low. I like the idea of monitoring all tires (8) on truck and trailer. Is that overkill? Do you all just monitor the trailer and rely on the vehicle system for pressure only? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

I have the TireTraker TPMS with the external sensors that thread onto the valve stem in place of the normal valve caps. While doing my spring cleaning on the Ollie, I noticed that all 4 aluminum rims have a wear mark on the rim directly adjacent to the valve stem (see picture). In researching this a bit, I found some comments on other forums about the weight of the external TPMS sensor causing the valve stem to deflect when the tire is rotating at highway speeds, and in some cases even causing the valve stem to fail. Anyone else observed this? Has anyone ever experienced a rubber valve stem failure while using the external sensors?

Can anyone tell what breand of metal valve stems work well on our rims (2021 Elite II). I purchased a TST TPMS system and want to use metal stems. Had a local dealer install the metal stems. The TPMS sensors have been on three days. Today when checking the tires to see if the tpms read the same as my guage, one tire was a few pounds low. I removed the sensor, added air, then when I screwed the sensor back on there was a distinct air leak. Yjought it was the core, but it seems air is leaking where the stem meets the rim. must be a bad seal. So my thought is our rims may need a particular brand of stems? Monday moring i'll be on the phone with delaer.

“HOW OFTEN IS A SENSOR TRANSMITTING INFORMATION? This varies among manufacturers, but generally, sensors have different settings while parked and while in motion. The better question is what causes the sensor to transmit? When a sudden change in pressure is detected, the sensor should transmit whether the sensor is stationary or moving. When the tire starts to roll, tiny accelerometers cause the sensor to wake up and start broadcasting at regular intervals. In rolling mode, sensors transmit, on average, once every 30-120 seconds. While parked or in stationary mode, depending on the manufacturer, sensors may transmit only when a significant pressure change is detected. If a TPMS sensor transmitted all the time, a sensor would not last very long. Most TPMS sensors will transmit when movement is detected through a simple accelerometer inside. If the wheel stops moving, the sensor will stop broadcasting after a programmed amount of time. But once it is triggered, the sensor transmits on a predetermined interval set by the manufacturer. A sensor will immediately send a signal if it detects a sudden loss in pressure.” https://www.underhoodservice.com/tpms-radio-frequency-theory-and-operation/ Mine has screw on sensors, and when getting ready to leave in the morning I “wake up” each one with a couple of raps from my finger so they transmit today’s value, not the one from when I arrived, in case one of the tires picked up a nail and was quietly deflating overnight. I would much prefer to see that warning or low pressure reading in the campground than a couple of miles down a busy highway… and this is a great reason to NOT choose a type that installs inside the tire. You can’t wake those up except by driving away. John Davies Spokane WA

I second this suggestion. I installed the Truck System Technologies TST 507 TPMS on our Ollie and our previous TT. Wouldn’t consider towing a trailer without this important safety equipment. Now on clearance for $149 at TechnoRV!

Your list is pretty good. Although you might want to make sure you will use each item enough to warrant storing and taking them. Space is a consideration Here are a couple of additional things that I always take: - Small plastric storage bins for inside the pantry (take some measurements and look on Amazon) so your items stay in place while traveling - Since you have a F150, Anderson No-Sway Hitch - Anderson Levelers - 3 Anderson jack blocks (to reduce the length of travel for the electric jacks) - Camco Waste Tank (so you do not need to break camp to empty a waste tank) - Some replacemnt fuses (check the sizes that you have in your trailer) - Small electric Dehumidifer - Tire changing iron to loosen the wheel nuts in case of a flat - A second 30 amp power cord (and adapter to connect both cords) for time when one cord can not make the distance to a CG power pedistal. - Two water hoses to connect to a distance water source. - TPMS system to monitor tire pressure and temperature while in transit. - Trailer wheel chocks for use while disconnected from the truck. - Maybe a RV GPS. The Garmin RV 890 is great. You can program your trip, find gas, find CG's and it will keep you off roads that have height restrictions. - Lubricant to pour down the waste and gray tanks to lubricate the tank valves Welsome to the forum. Happy travels

I started this as a PM to GeronimoJohn and it got so wordy, I decided to post it here. I researched these systems a long time and decided on the Tire Traker. They have stellar customer service and are sometimes at (really) big RV shows and places like Quartzite. The sensor batteries are to be replaced annually, but may last longer - they use cheap button cells. I bought a repeater in case the distance was too far but have NOT needed it. I suggest that you buy the four sensor set, an extra sensor for the spare tire, and the maintenance package. The only thing I did not like was that the trim on the perimeter of the display is bright and it reflected sunlight in the windshield. I painted the upper part on mine flat black. Some electrical tape would also work. The display is rechargeable and runs up to a month, and in sleep mode it wakes up when there is a signal from the wheel sensors. They too wake up when moving, to save the batteries. I try to remember to shut my display off every evening. The mount is a suction cup and very nice. There is no case for the display; I use a soft cloth drawstring bag from a set of sport goggles for storage. The system shows individual tire pressures and temperatures. There are preset alarm levels for both. If you get a slow leak, the alarm will come on at a reduced level to let you know that you need to pull over. By watching the display you can tell if it is slow or a big one. If it is a big leak the alarm is more intense. The sensor on the spare tire lets you know that it has not gone flat, since it is a small PITA to check. If one of the main sensors fails, you can swap the spare onto that wheel until you can get a replacement. Or just order an extra sensor now... The temperature display is useful since it shows the temps increasing as the tires heat up during towing, which is completely NORMAL, and if there is one that is abnormally warm, you can stop and see if there is a brake or bearing issue on the hub. NOTE: because the sensors are spinning in ambient air on the end of the valve stems, I doubt that the displayed temps are especially accurate. A sensor inside the wheel would be a much more reliable and accurate system. I honestly don't see how the external sensors could read inside temps, but they do to a certain degree (pun intended). I don't think that the display dims, I have never used it at night. I suspect you would want to take it off the windshield and just set it in a low cupholder. It would still alarm if needed. If somebody knows if the lighting dims, please comment. The system gets very good reviews, you can get from Amazon, but I ordered direct from Tire Traker. Setup: Charge the display several hours. After first checking and adjusting your COLD tire pressures (I use 60 psi), it will take you about ten minutes to set it up, there are many videos showing how. You have to set the alarm threshold (enter the cold tire pressure), install batteries into sensors and put them on the wheels one at a time. As each one "wakes up" it will show up on the display and you can adjust its position of the vehicle diagram, for example "left rear" on the trailer drawing. Position of the display: I mount mine at the lower left corner of the windshield. It is easy to see, but neither in my direct line of sight, nor close to my Garmin gps. Aftermarket devices like a gps that use radio signals may possibly cause interference. My RV 660 is mounted along the center of the windshield and I have noted no interference when using my Garmin remote (trailer backup) camera. If you have trouble with the TT-500 signal, you may need to mount their booster inside the trailer connected to an always-on power source. If you have the factory backup camera, the area behind the switch would be a great location, and you can use the switch to power on the booster when you switch on the camera. https://www.tiretraker.com/proddetail.php?prod=TT500-4 https://www.tiretraker.com/proddetail.php?prod=TT50 https://www.tiretraker.com/proddetail.php?prod=TT-MAINT Installation video: If you are driving an older tow vehicle without its own TPMS, you can order extra sensors and use the Tire Traker to monitor those tires also. This system is versatile and mine has been reliable for a year. It gives great peace of mind when towing, especially in inclement weather and in remote areas, which is priceless. Anything you can do to reduce your anxiety level while towing is a good thing. HIGHLY recommended! I towed trailers for 45 years without TPMS, and I am very glad I invested in this. John Davies Spokane WA

I had a unique opportunity on a recent trip we took while towing our Ollie down to the Chesapeake Bay for a little vacation. Actually observed a trailer tire failure in real time. Driving in moderately heavy traffic on an interstate at 60-65 mph, we were a bit behind a pickup truck towing an SOB dual axle travel trailer. It was a section of the interstate with 3 lanes in each direction. I was in the far right lane as usual, and the pickup truck/TT ahead of us were in the center lane. My wife and I both noticed that the forward tire on passenger side of the trailer ahead of us was low and the sidewall of the tire was oscillating side to side noticeably. Our position to the rear and right of the other trailer gave us a great viewpoint. The oscillations were getting worse, but the pickup truck driver was showing no indication he noticed anything at all as he happily maintained his speed. I tried to speed up an little to get alongside to try to honk/wave to warn him, but traffic opened up a bit at that point and he actually sped up significantly, so I fell pretty far behind. At this point, small chunks of rubber were now being thrown off the tire, but the driver continued on at speed. I gave up on my attempt to get alongside to warn him since I didn't feel safe getting closer, and actually backed off a bit further. Within another 30 seconds larger chunks of tire started coming off, followed by pieces of aluminum siding from the trailer side wall around the wheel well as the entire tread started coming off the tire and whipping around in the wheel well. So I slowed down even more to get a very safe distance behind from the impending disaster. Incredibly, the driver was still maintaining his speed! Probably doing 70mph and in the middle lane of three lanes of traffic! The full tire tread soon came off, fortunately I was far enough behind to avoid it easily along with all the other debris laying in the road at this point. By now other drivers closer to him in traffic were honking & waving at him, and he probably felt some drag or vibration at this point, and he finally figured out something was wrong, but because he was in the middle lane of the three lanes, and with the traffic, it took him quite a bit of distance to finally get over to the far right lane and he exited at an off ramp and pulled off on the shoulder there. By that point the tire was completely gone, but fortunately since it was a dual axle trailer, the driver never lost control. Some lessons learned, and/or reinforced. A very strong reminder of the need for a good TPMS system (I've had one since day one with our Ollie Elite II). A great demonstration of the advantage of a dual axle trailer for stability. And also a reminder that keeping to a reasonable speed and staying in the right hand lane most of the time are good practice.