TPMS systems info needed

[Mike Nel]

As the title suggests. It’s time for a new system. I’ve got the 6 valve system (external) and one got lost.

I’m thinking of getting Internal but would like input from members with experience towing and using them.

- tire inflate and deflate. Can I proceed as normal or would the sensors be a problem?
- can any tire place fit them?
- which brand can I have a look at?

Thanks

[Mad Manny]

I like the internal ones - yes it's a schlepp taking the wheels & then tyres off and fitting them.
But they don't get lost or stolen.
A negative with the internal ones is deflating takes a bit longer.
I assume inflating would too.

Years ago I bought the only internal one you could get - The Steelmate TPMS85.
It was great.

Then a sensor got faulty & I swopped it out.
Then another failed & I couldn't fix it.

I called that oke who was the SA distributor & he was as worthwhile as a Covid Vaxx. Unhelpful twot.

So I took it out.

Then TW&T (Tiger Wheel & Tyre) were selling one. Bluetooth.
They sold you 4 internal sensors for the wheels.
You plugged a reader into the cigarette lighter & downloaded an app on your phone.
R2000.00
It worked great...
...for about year or so. then the sensors started failing one by one.

So I went to the Twats at TW&T and asked if I could BUY spare sensors.
They said they no longer bring this cheap crap in from China & there is no warranty & no back up & I should get stuffed.
So my only experience with the TW&Ts was very negative.

I then took them off & gave up.

But Andreas imported one that he was happy with.

[AndreasR]

Hi Mike

I have not used the internal monitors due to the perceived hassle of inflate/deflate and having them moved from tyre to tyre etc.

I did get a cheaply Chinese one which worked well but was a hassle to have another monitor on the dash.

I now have a system from Cawe called nGauge. They have internal and external monitors. They measure pressure and temperature. I chose external for ease of use. If one gets lost etc, I’ll just buy another one. They have an app on your phone where you can set all the parameters that you require.

Cawe also have other monitors that work on the same app like temp monitors for your fridges, battery voltage monitors etc.

I have done some extensive trips and have found their stuff to be reliable and resilient. I think they are slightly more expensive than average but in my opinion well worth it.

Website is Cawe.co.za

[Outlaw Shaun]

Hi Mike

Internal works best .

There are a couple available .
Check what works for monitor installtion inside the vehicle and of course , backup of parts

[BushWacker]

I read somewhere else (cannot remember where now ! ) that when one reflates tyres one needs ‘recalibrate' the system or sensors … is this in fact so & is it a problem ?

[Mad Manny]

Once the system is set up you can inflate and deflate at will.

No recalibration required


But, if you rotate tyres you need to move the sensors otherwise you may think your fr Lt is flat, meanwhile it's the spare.....

[AndreasR]

Chas

On most the systems it is best to turn the system off when inflating or deflating and then turn back on once done. This prevents the annoying alarm going off while adjusting pressures. You might also want to adjust the alarm parameters when traversing different terrains. On tar you might want your alarm to sound when pressure falls below 1.6 bar and in soft sand you may want it to sound at a much lower pressure. In this regard I find the nGauge system very user friendly.

No actual recalibration of sensors is required.

[BushWacker]

OK thanks guys… with good tyres costing what they do these days, TPMS is an important accessory.

[LesseW]

Mike ek het al beide gehad in my voertuie, ek is tans meer n fan van die wat op die valve vasskroef omdat dit die minste moeite is met installasie en om batterye te vervang.

Let wel dat in my geval die temperature verskil het tussen die binne en buite sensors, my teorie:

- buitse sensors word “kouer” geblaas deur die wind se vloei soos die wiele draai
- Binne sensors raak “warmer” omdat hulle op die rim sit.

Dis my teorie, my vrou se ek is altyd verkeerd.

Ek het al my tpms sisteme op takealot gekoop deur tyrecare. Ek sien wel my 5de en 6de sensors op my karavan wil nie optel as ek die base station voor in die 200 het nie, ek moet die base station na agterskuif voor hulle optel (in my Prados tel alle sensors op met die base station op die dashboard).

[Mike Nel]

Thanks for all the input.

I ordered 2 sensors from Cawe for the Bushlapa.

They are not too expensive - I will give them a go first...

[AndreasR]

Let us know what you think about those.

[Flipside]

Mike ek het al beide gehad in my voertuie, ek is tans meer n fan van die wat op die valve vasskroef omdat dit die minste moeite is met installasie en om batterye te vervang.

Let wel dat in my geval die temperature verskil het tussen die binne en buite sensors, my teorie:

- buitse sensors word “kouer” geblaas deur die wind se vloei soos die wiele draai
- Binne sensors raak “warmer” omdat hulle op die rim sit.

Dis my teorie, my vrou se ek is altyd verkeerd.

Ek het al my tpms sisteme op takealot gekoop deur tyrecare. Ek sien wel my 5de en 6de sensors op my karavan wil nie optel as ek die base station voor in die 200 het nie, ek moet die base station na agterskuif voor hulle optel (in my Prados tel alle sensors op met die base station op die dashboard).

Is the 200 that much longer? That the controller is now in a different suburb from the ‘van?

[Mad Manny]

Is the 200 that much longer? That the controller is now in a different suburb from the ‘van?

Great post Flip.
No, the Land Cruiser 200 is NOT longer than the Prado.
In fact, it is shorter.
Prado 150 - 4995mm
LC 200 - 4950mm
The reason is the Prado carries the spare on the rear door.

BTW: The Land Cruiser 300 is 4980mm long, so only 30mm longer than the 200 but still shorter than the Land Cruiser Prado 150

[Renier_c]

Is the 200 that much longer? That the controller is now in a different suburb from the ‘van?

Great post Flip.
No, the Land Cruiser 200 is NOT longer than the Prado.
In fact, it is shorter.
Prado 150 - 4995mm
LC 200 - 4950mm
The reason is the Prado carries the spare on the rear door.

BTW: The Land Cruiser 300 4980mm long, so only 30mm longer than the 200 but still shorter than the Land Cruiser Prado 150

Wow... Doesnt look that way!

[LesseW]

It’s all about the spare wheel…