Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems – Cheap Insurance Against a Ruined Road Trip

But perhaps they should.

A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) keeps an eye on tyre pressures while you’re driving and, depending on the system, tyre temperatures as well. For road trippers, caravan owners, motorhome travellers and anyone towing a boat or trailer, that little screen on the dash can potentially give you an early warning that something isn’t right.

And early warning matters.

An under-inflated tyre creates more rolling resistance, can increase fuel consumption and causes additional tyre wear. More importantly, particularly when towing, incorrect pressure can affect handling and increase the likelihood of tyre failure.

From Porsche Supercar to the Caravan

Here’s the strange bit.

One of the earliest production cars to feature TPMS was the Porsche 959 in the 1980s – a technological monster capable of more than 300km/h. Its magnesium wheels actually had hollow spokes forming part of the tyre’s air chamber, with pressure monitoring built into the system.

Fast-forward four decades and similar thinking is helping someone towing a 2.8-tonne caravan to Dubbo.

Technology does take some interesting detours.

What Should You Look For?

Aftermarket TPMS units are now manufactured by numerous companies around the world, with much of the affordable consumer electronics manufacturing centred in Asia. Systems generally use either sensors attached externally to the tyre valves or internal sensors fitted to the wheels.

For touring and towing, we’d look for:

• individual tyre pressure readings
• tyre-temperature monitoring
• adjustable high/low pressure alarms
• high-temperature warnings
• enough sensors for your entire combination
• a clear display you can read without needing binoculars
• replaceable sensor batteries where possible.

And don’t treat TPMS as permission to forget about your tyres. Pressures should still be manually checked cold, particularly before a long trip, and against the vehicle, tyre or caravan manufacturer’s recommendations.

What We Like

It’s simple: information.

A slow leak in a caravan tyre sitting several metres behind you can be difficult to notice from the driver’s seat. Knowing pressure or temperature is changing before the tyre completely gives up could turn a potential roadside disaster into a relatively painless stop.

For Grey Haired Nomads doing serious kilometres, families towing caravans, younger adventurers with camper trailers and anyone hauling boats or trailers, it makes plenty of sense.

What We’d Like Next

Better integration. Rather than another screen stuck somewhere on the dashboard, we’d love to see aftermarket systems talking directly to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or the vehicle’s existing infotainment display.

Because touring vehicles already have enough screens, chargers and electronic gadgets hanging around the cabin.

DSP TIP: TPMS is an early-warning system, not a substitute for checking your tyres. Give the tyres a proper look before leaving, check pressures cold and carry a reliable gauge and compressor. A $100-ish gadget may be useful – but common sense remains annoyingly difficult to replace.

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