How to avoid Tire Valve Stem failures

 I received a question:

"I pull a 27 foot travel trailer with dual axles and carry two spare tires and I needed both of them. One is on the bumper and the other is on an under-mount. I do not use a TPMS because we had one and had issues with valve stem leakage.'

I have responded to similar questions and provided links to one or more of the dozen posts I have made in this blog on the topic of "Tire Valves".

I guess that some folks did not check these resources, so here is what I hope is a comprehensive reply to the issue of tire valve failure when TPM sensors are attached to standard rubber stems.

If you had problems with valve stem leaking, then it is most likely that you were using the "low-cost" rubber stems intended for passenger car tires, like a TR413 as seen here:

TPMS external sensors screw on the end of the stems, and while they are not very heavy, that extra bit of weight does result in vibration, which can result in the fatigue failure of the rubber stem as seen here.

Here is an example of the movement of a rubber stem with an external:flow-thru" TPMS.

 

There are some rubber valves called "Hi-Press" as they are "rated" for 80 psi.
Here is a short video showing a FAILED TR800HP valve stem.

[video width="406" height="720" mp4="https://www.rvtravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3-HP-rubber-valve-fail-due-to-TPM-sensor.mp4"][/video]

Here is a comparison of a few different stems.

From the left, we see a TR800HP that some call "Hi Press", next a TR413, then TR416 and TR435, which are both "bolt-in" stems and will not vibrate and fail due to flexing. Note: I placed pennies under 3 of the stems to raise the shoulders for them all to the same level for the picture. I wanted the comparison to be as if the valves were at the same level in the wheel.

Auto Zone has TR416 bolt-in stem Part # 20128 SKU #582043 at $6.99 for 2.

O'Reilly stores carry Part # 15-4559-2   1" chrome Tire Valves" - Fits Rim Hole Diameters of 0.438" and 0.625 Inch. The list price is $7.49 for 2.

Many other auto parts stores carry similar "bolt-in" stems

Some Aluminum wheels have a deep recess for the valve, as seen in this picture.

I understand that some Airstream RVs and some Ford vehicles have this type of bolt-in valve. It is a  "Dill-VS-902-W" and can be found with a quick Internet search for $2.50 to $6.50. I have read reports that some "Discount Tire" stores have or can get these Dill stems.

NOTE: There are 2 different hole diameters in the wheels. Most ST tires and LT tires will come on wheels with the smaller 0.375" dia hole.  The larger 0.625 gasket will not fit in the smaller hole. Both parts listed above show both sizes of rubber grommets. Select the appropriate size for your wheels.

This shows the two different grommets, so its pretty hard to get the wrong one. It is a light press fit or even "slide-in' fit into the hole in the wheel.

Special Caution. All of these "Bolt-In" valve stems need to be tightened to 25 - 45 INCH- POUNDS, so don't over-do it.

I believe that if you switch to "Bolt-In" stems, you will avoid the vibration failure of the stems. I always use "bolt-in stems" in my race cars and on my RVs and trailers and have never had a stem failure.