RVI TPMS and BRAKE

After reviewing a number of systems available for TPMS and toad braking, I came to the conclusion I would like a single system.  We chose the RVI system.  We didn’t have a lot of time to test things out before we left town.  But – when I plugged in all the TPMS sensors and the tablet and hub – it all worked.  But as the trip wore on, sensors started either dropping out or giving erroneous readings.  What was really odd was some would show lower than normal numbers – other higher than normal.  Some simply didn’t show up at all.

It took me a while and a few conversations with RVI to figure it all out.  The chassis is an E450 with real duals.  The toad is an F150 that has standard rubber valve stems.  The 450’s front tires had short steel stems.  The rear inners had long rubber stems.  The outers wheels had short steel stems with 120 degree stems added for easier access.  ALL the 450’s wheels also had a 1 inch extension added to whatever was on the rim.

The TPMS sensors have a small plastic dimple with a slot and hole in them to press down the valve core and let the pressurized air into the sensor.  The extensions that were on the 450 – had domed tops – and depending on which stem they were inserted – the dome pressed up into the dimple on the sensor – squashing the dimple and sealing off the sensor.  So when I put one on after checking pressures manually – a puff of pressure would get into the sensor – which would then be blocked off.  Over the next hour, readings would go wonky.  I have new extensions, with flat tops and adequate travel that I believe will work properly.

The sensors on the Toad started dropping off on the way home – that turned out to be a manufacturing problem – and they were quickly replaced by RVI.

Finally – I had some issues placing the hub where it would receive all the sensors well.  I’m still experimenting with placement and have a much longer power cable now – further testing is necessary.  I finally found a working location. It helped to not have several radio-blocking objects, including my drone on the shelf between the hub and the rear wheel.

On the RVI Brake 3 – the system senses the E450 slowing down and applies the brakes to the toad.  But, with a 14,000 pound RV and 4500-pound Toad – it seems to take a fair amount of braking before the RVIB3 applies the brakes.  When it does, it applies them fairly hard.  The RV has a full-length slide.  When we hit the brakes hard enough to trigger the RVIB3 – we feel the Toad brake and its sometimes hard enough we hear the slide – slide forward just a little bit.  It’s a bit disconcerting.  I wish the RVIB3 would brake sooner and more gradually.  But it does work and liked not having to install even more hardware in the F150.  There is a new firmware for the system so we will have to see if it works any differently.

ADDENDUM:  With the new sensors they sent me, the system worked flawlessly on the Tennessee trip this spring.  Then we parked the RV and the Toad for most of several months.  On the current trip, 4 of 10 sensors are not working correctly.  I’ve contacted RVI and will probably re-pair all the sensors because there was an update in between the trips.  One can hope anyway.