Tire Valve Stems

[skissinger]

I don't know if this is a confessional or not, perhaps more of a cautionary tale.

Early this spring (2022) I thought to be proactive and have my CI tires replaced, since they were 8 years old, and even though didn't have many miles on them, I wanted new tires just to be sure I'd be all good for the season. Took it to an RV place about 5 miles from my house, they replaced the tires, all good!

Or so I thought... about a month ago, was getting ready to go, and as per my checklist, I check the tire pressure on the tires to be sure they are within range. Well, apparently, I twisted it wrong while checking with the gauge, and the tire valve stem got stuck in the "open" position. Immediate flat tire. Well, I'm not a tire person. Thankfully, I was in my own driveway still. Jacked it up, removed the tire, went to a local Firestone place (not the RV place), and they replaced the Valve Stem. They also said "it's very dry rotted, if this one is dry rotted, the other one is too".

So... apparently, I am supposed to be savvy enough that when I ask to get my tires replaced.. that I explicitly tell the RV place that replaces my tires to ALSO CHECK and REPLACE the $3 valve stem part.

Makes me question why that isn't a standard thing that is done? Once I knew what it was called, and it's apparently a universal part, it's literally a $3-$4 part that one can replace oneself... but I, a not-savvy person, wouldn't just happen to have those parts with me.

 

[JohnC]

That's surprising. When you buy tires for your car they ALWAYS make sure to sell you new stems.

 

[Vince G]

I agree most places replace since it is a minor part. Some dont even ask justbadd to invoice.

 

[Sweeney]

What they said --- that is pretty shady. I've NEVER had tires replaced where the valve step wasn't just part of the deal.

You were lucky -- your old tires were probably about the same condition as those stems...

This is probably a conversation with the owner of the RV shop --- it sounds like there is a significant training issue there. Had that happened while traveling it might not have been as uneventful. Someone, sales or service, needs some training.

If this kind of failure happens without warning to a small pickup pulling a big trailer...this could kill some one.

 

[Tour 931]

With the advent of tire pressure monitor valves shops no longer automatically replace the stems on newer cars.

 

[Lipster]

Pretty hard to put them in yourself. You have to break the bead from the rim. Best done with a tire machine. Hard to do with a hammer and pry bars.

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

I'm noticing the quality of troubleshooting and repair in "the RV place" business is highly variable. See also Sweeney's advice.

I dont trust my local Camping World to get it right, after a couple basic boo-boo's on an old tent trailer, so I've had to shop carefully, for anything RV related and notice Discount Tires can service our sized wheels and tires.

The fact the CampInns are made so well, and the advice from the Nest and on this forum is so superlative, its very reassuring one can learn to DIY or give competent advice and know what to expect from a shop.