Don't be taken in

Pippah45
Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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edited July 2016 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

A cautionary tale - I noticed one of my caravan tyres looked a bit flat - and dug out my tyre inflator - dead - borrowed one from kind warden and inflated so both equal at 50 psi.  (Yes now I know it should be 58 according to the plate but....)  Moved on to the next site and went to Halfords.  Michelin tyre inflator - salesman said - it had the ability to preset the required amount and auto cut off when the preset was reached.  BUNKUM it has no such feature.  So I had two friendly gentlemen neighbours who willingly assisted the set up and reading the instructions.  With my friends we inflated to 40psi on the machine on each wheel but it was overheating.  I was concerned and dug deep in the car to find my old "pen" type pressure reader.  "They aren't very accurate" says one of my friends when I approached him with it.  I had already tested the caravan tyres - so I asked him to indulge me and check his car - 40 psi - about right he said - OK please now test the van - NINETY psi in both tyres!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  So please beware - I took it back and demanded a refund which I got - so now I am looking for something reliable.  It would seem that the machine added 40psi to the existing 50 without recording the original tyre pressure - what use is that to anyone unless they start with a flat?   I did question that the tyre was flat but both my helpers reckonned it was bad!  A  reliable easy to read and preferably not too noisy one would be good - any recommendations?  

And yes I am having both tyres thoroughly checked out for any damage and possibly renewing the valves one of which looks very dodgy - surprisingly its the side parked in the shade and not in the sun at home too. 

Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2016 #2

    Wait until Aldi or Lidl next have them on sale,they are simple to use,but i still use pencil guauge for psi ,as is said the old ideas are normally the bestWink

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #3

    Pumps in Lidl right now.  Sorry, did not look at spec or price, but if you go have a look and don't want one you will still come out with half a dozen other things!

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #4

    I have long given up of automatic tyre inflators and have gone back to a foot pump, evenm for my motorhome that requires 80psi on the rear tyres. I do use a digital tyre pressure gauge. Having said that my old Dunlop steel pen gauge was pretty accurate.

    David

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #5

    I have had a couple of supposedly auto shut off inflators and have not been impressed enough with their accuracy to use the option on either. I just use the manual option and as DK check periodically with a digital gauge. I also still have one of  the old steel pen gauges and its readings compare favourably with the digital version, just more fiddly to read. Once they are at the right pressure the tyre pal sensors, I invested in, are great for keeping a check on them.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited July 2016 #6

    Hapilly my preset tyre compressor is accurate but I still check the reult as a matter of habit

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2016 #7

    I have long given up of automatic tyre inflators and have gone back to a foot pump, evenm for my motorhome that requires 80psi on the rear tyres. I do use a digital tyre pressure gauge. Having said that my old Dunlop steel pen gauge was pretty accurate.

    David

    .Does your. m/van really req a bone jarring rattle enducing 80psi have you looked at reduceing it,ours was much quieter and more comfortable at 55psi all round as recomended by the M/van manufacturer

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭
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    edited July 2016 #8

    If you want an accurate tyre gauge then this months PC has tested a few and checked this.

  • xtrailer
    xtrailer Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited July 2016 #9

    i use a good quality bycycle hand pump,  you put your feet on the base and pump with your hands, they are rated up to 125psi and easily reach 65 psi for caravans. i dont rely on the gauge i just use a digital one . 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited July 2016 #10

    I have a good quality cycle pump - maybe thats the way to go with a pressure guage as back up.  Can't take risks with tyres I feel. 

  • xtrailer
    xtrailer Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited July 2016 #11

    yes pippah  bad tyres and low pressures equals a ruined holiday and well lets not dwell on what could happen.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited July 2016 #12

    I agree not to dwell on it - although I can't help wondering what might have happened if I had driven it with the 90psi pressure! 

  • Biggarmac
    Biggarmac Forum Participant Posts: 364
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    edited July 2016 #13

    I have the Michelin tyre pump and have found it good for car, motorhome and bike tyres.  Maybe I've just been lucky.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited July 2016 #14

    I invested in a Ring compressor from Halfords. It clips on to the battery terminals and is an excellent piece of kit. More expensive than most inflators but I have never regretted it.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited July 2016 #15

    I think you must have been Meg - it doesn't get great ratings on Amazon - but maybe I was just unlucky with one that didn't do what it said on the tin - not to mention the Salesman over egging what was on the tin! 

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