Home› Trailer & Towing

Bluetooth TPMS Systems

CatDaddyCatDaddy Member Posts: 115
in Trailer & Towing
Has anybody on the forum installed a Bluetooth-based TPMS system? Schrader has their AirCheck BLE and Dill has their Aftermarket Bluetooth TPMS system. Both systems are pretty similar. Special valves with Bluetooth radios are installed inside the tires. They report tire pressure and temperature to your smart phone. No monitor needed. The Dill version has sensors that can be mounted inside the tire on a band instead of in the valve. 

I've never liked the TPMS sensors in the valve cap. In my experience, they cause more problems than they help because they come loose and let the air out of the tire. They're easy to steal as well. 

I checked with Discount Tire. They cannot get the Schrader version but they can get the Dill version. I was hoping somebody on the forum has experience with either or both. 
Adventure Cats living in the Pacific NW USA
2022 NuCamp T@B 320S Boondock
2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S Plus AWD
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+

Comments

  • pthomas745pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,359
    Here are the threads here mentioning "TPMS".  I only scanned the headlines quickly, so I'm not sure if either of those are mentioned, however.
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • NorthIsUpNorthIsUp Member Posts: 194
    I know your experience with them isn't positive, but hear me out.

    The price of a TPMS-on-the-stem system was attractive to me due to the price, if it really worked. I also don't have to concern myself with using the phone to monitor it. I just have the small full-time viewer on the dash that comes with it, so I can glance at it whenever and as often as I want. No one stole them on a recent 3k mile jaunt nor did they loosen and fly off. If one or both were lost, the system that I bought came with four sensors. I also carry a 12v air compressor, to top the tires off, just in case. 

    I couldn't believe how well they worked for the month on the road.

    I initially doubted the quality of the inexpensive device, but just as we were leaving on the trip waving goodbye, a neighbor noticed a nail in the middle of a TAB tire tread. Too late on a Saturday to get it repaired and it was time to depart. I used the system for the next month to monitor that one tire and it alleviated any fears that I had by continuously confirming the tire was fine. I repaired it upon our return. The inexpensive device gave me peace of mind when I really needed it. Is it perfect? No. It occasionally lost contact with a tire, but corrected itself quickly. Well worth it to me. We're on the road about 5 weeks per season. This was season 8. New Endurance tires this year, prior to the trip. 
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DF2LJ4R2

    Jean & Arnie  Nevada
    2019 T@B 400 BL
    2021 Toyota Sequoia 4WD

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • Bill&SuzeBill&Suze Member Posts: 167
    I'll second the comments by @NorthIsUp. I've used the stem mount sensors for two years and agree that being able to quickly glance at the monitor screen on the dash to verify tire pressure and temperatures is a handy feature. My phone is already monitoring ABRP and Car Scanner and changing apps while driving would be an unwise distraction.

    The stem caps do not loosen and let air out in my experience because they are tightened up against a backing nut with a small wrench and are tough to loosen by hand. Yes, they could be stolen if someone wants them badly enough but the price was right.
    Susan & Bill, Yarmouth, Maine
    2024 T@B 400 Boondock Black Canyon
    2024 Kia EV9
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • CatDaddyCatDaddy Member Posts: 115
    edited October 26
    Okay, i guess this is a case of different priorities. I absolutely do not want yet another monitor on the dash. The rearview camera is bad enough. 
    The Bluetooth monitors integrate with Apple Carplay, and Android Auto so one doesn’t have to check one’s phone. You can setup alerts to notify you when there’s a problem and the alerts will pop up on the car’s monitor. 
    The Dill system also monitors tire temperature, something the cap sensors can’t do. 
    The advantage of the cap sensors are price and easy battery replacement. It seems like some of the cap sensors will also work on the spare tire. The Bluetooth sensors go to sleep when not rotating to preserve battery life. 
    Discount Tire quoted me $65 per sensor plus installation. 
    Adventure Cats living in the Pacific NW USA
    2022 NuCamp T@B 320S Boondock
    2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S Plus AWD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • SLJSLJ Member Posts: 628
    I have a Tymate TPMS also. Just sits on the dash when I'm towing. When I'm not towing it's not even in the car. Works great on both tires and the spare. I hate depending on and using the phone for anything RV related. Only thing I use the phone for is for displaying weather radar on the car's display when it's bad out and my leveling system when I'm pulling into a campsite. Camper back up camera displays on my Garmin RV GPS.
    2021 T@B 320 S Boondock
    2025 KZ Sportsmen 130RD
    2023 Ford Maverick XLT
    The Finger Lakes of New York
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
Sign In or Register to comment.