Apex RCV and RPV Fast Deflators (1 Viewer)

[TeCKis300]

There's enough meat on this topic of Apex Deflators that it deserves its own thread.

Screw on RCV (Rapid Connect Valve)

Install / Replace valve stem RPV (Rapid Precision Valve) in std length (which should work with most OEM wheels)

From the following discussion

It's actually crazy timing for you to mention this--I'm taking them off and swapping to the other Apex valve--the RCV, which just showed up today. I had the standard length and you have to buy a bracket/adapter that just holds the trimmed TPMS adapters inside of the tire. I've now had two of them break off of the brackets causing them to spin around loose until they eventually wear through and break completely and then none can read because one is broken. The RCV's are not nearly as quick, but they install by removing the valve stem core from the factory valve stem and installing the RCV in it's place. I'm now about to have to swap back and install 5 brand new TPMS sensors since they cut the original ones to fit on the bracket. If you can live with potentially replacing one per year I'd recommend them because they've been awesome other than a poor TPMS bracket design.

Apex RCV

It appears to be very timely that I asked.

I was thinking about using the strap method for the TPMS because the Apex relocate bracket looks a little suspect. However, I had considered the RCV because I can install myself. It is time for balance and rotate so either way, install is not a big deal.

My main gripe with my current setup is using the ARB valve removal tool to air down… it’s just a PITA getting the brass on your fingers and I had one stem not screw back in and it blew out in the Utah sand, I was able to get it back in but it highlighted the obvious worst case scenario with that method.

What are your thoughts on the strap method for TPMS? The speed of the RPV is a major factor as I’m also doing 2 camper tires but if it means adding the con of TPMS issues than the RCV would be best for the Cruiser and run the RPV’s on the camper where I’m using the screw on ARB TPMS.

Great discussion! Had me digging into RCV and RPVs all morning. I'm trying to setup another set of wheels and I want need these!

Maybe this deserves a dedicated thread. @Romer ?

Looking at the RCVs, they add about 3/4" to the total length of the stem. OEM stem is about 1.2", +.73" = 1.93" I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that on the Tundra wheels I have as that'll have it closer to the face, putting it in danger of rocks. Whereas the normal length RPV will be about 1.62" total length.

 

[HSTexan]

Figure I'll reply here since it's a new thread--the added length was a pretty big concern for me as well with both style valves. I've marked up my wheels pretty good and have yet to break an RPV in 2 years, but I have definitely heard of people doing it. When I put the RCV's on I'm actually specifically going to not go OEM TPMS so I can avoid the rigid valve stems. Autel TPMS has a rubber valve stem and will be slightly flexible which I'm hoping will help with the added length. Reliability and durability is TBD, but the owner of my local tire shop has been running them for 3 years in his 4Runner without issues so hoping they'll play nice. Worst case I'm revisiting new TPMS again in a couple years and will just put Toyota ones back on and deal with the added length

Also; forgot to say occasionally with the RPV the tab get pretty stiff and the best way I could find to get them open was to move them side to side while pulling out. Minor inconvenience if you have baby finger tips like I do

Edit: I'll have a set of 5 RPV and TPMS brackets available in a week or so if anyone wants to try their luck longer than I do. Will make a FS thread in appropriate section, but prob at 50% of retail

 

[TeCKis300]

Figure I'll reply here since it's a new thread--the added length was a pretty big concern for me as well with both style valves. I've marked up my wheels pretty good and have yet to break an RPV in 2 years, but I have definitely heard of people doing it. When I put the RCV's on I'm actually specifically going to not go OEM TPMS so I can avoid the rigid valve stems. Autel TPMS has a rubber valve stem and will be slightly flexible which I'm hoping will help with the added length. Reliability and durability is TBD, but the owner of my local tire shop has been running them for 3 years in his 4Runner without issues so hoping they'll play nice. Worst case I'm revisiting new TPMS again in a couple years and will just put Toyota ones back on and deal with the added length

Also; forgot to say occasionally with the RPV the tab get pretty stiff and the best way I could find to get them open was to move them side to side while pulling out. Minor inconvenience if you have baby finger tips like I do

Edit: I'll have a set of 5 RPV and TPMS brackets available in a week or so if anyone wants to try their luck longer than I do. Will make a FS thread inappropriate section, but prob at 50% of retail

Sounds like a great approach. I'm not stuck on using the OEM/Denso TPMS. Seems like a good opportunity for an aftermarket rubber shorty as anything rigid will definitely not win against a rock. At least one of my wheel center caps are crushed so sometimes there's no avoiding rocks and having an inset stem that's flexible might be the safest play.

 

[Artie]

Quality stuff here, thanks @TeCKis300 for the thread and intro info.

I’m in the early stages wheel and tire hunting and will probably make the jump in a couple years when it’s time for tires. I tend to obsess over stuff so that type of time frame will allow me to have one heck of a excel spreadsheet sheet with colors, formulas and whatnot that would over complicate this type of decision for most people. In the mean time, these valves have been on my mind ever since I originally commented on @HSTexan post on them in May 2022. I’ve ordered the RPV’s already and looking at different TPMS straps now. They all look the same, basically big worm clamps with a bracket for the sensor. I’ll report back on what I end up getting and my thoughts on them.

 

[clrussell]

I will say as someone who deals with tires and tpms every day:
Be cautious using the bands. Your sensors on your valve stems were not designed to be mounted like a band sensor.

It’s possible the sensor won’t work properly, not saying it won’t 100% but there’s a chance.

I’ve dealt with many aftermarket wheels that have toms sensors installed and if they aren’t correctly installed they won’t work at all. I’m face we chased our ass for 2 days working on one that has “new” sensors put in elsewhere. Turns out they were upside down and the vehicle thought they were rolling backwards so it never learned them. They would respond every single time to the tool, but required a drive cycle to learn and being as they were going the wrong direction they would not pick up. I’ve also seen the same problem after a long drive cycle.

I do like that the apex valve has provisions for tpms sensors on it. Factory style mounting and where it’s supposed to be.

However if you have the sensors that require the funky little adapter just buy new quality aftermarket sensors and have them programmed. Mounting will be much more secure. You don’t want a Tpms sensor / mount rolling around inside your tire. It’ll kill a tire from the inside in a short amount of time.

 

[DesmoPilot]

I've been running the standard length on the LC200 and on my Patriot for 2.5 years now. They have been used extensively and absolutely love them!! I am running Alpha Equipt wheels, so have two valve stem holes. The protected hole has the factory TPMS. The secondary hole has the Apex valve.

Alpha Equipt has discontinued making wheels with the 5x150 pattern. If I ever need to swap wheels, I will switch to Methods with the bead grip and just drill/tap the wheel to accommodate the Apex valve. At this point, I don't ever see myself not using this type of valve. They work that well.

 

[Artie]

I will say as someone who deals with tires and tpms every day:
Be cautious using the bands. Your sensors on your valve stems were not designed to be mounted like a band sensor.

It’s possible the sensor won’t work properly, not saying it won’t 100% but there’s a chance.

I’ve dealt with many aftermarket wheels that have toms sensors installed and if they aren’t correctly installed they won’t work at all. I’m face we chased our ass for 2 days working on one that has “new” sensors put in elsewhere. Turns out they were upside down and the vehicle thought they were rolling backwards so it never learned them. They would respond every single time to the tool, but required a drive cycle to learn and being as they were going the wrong direction they would not pick up. I’ve also seen the same problem after a long drive cycle.

I do like that the apex valve has provisions for tpms sensors on it. Factory style mounting and where it’s supposed to be.

However if you have the sensors that require the funky little adapter just buy new quality aftermarket sensors and have them programmed. Mounting will be much more secure. You don’t want a Tpms sensor / mount rolling around inside your tire. It’ll kill a tire from the inside in a short amount of time.

View attachment 3656924

View attachment 3656925

Is there a new quality aftermarket sensor you recommend?

I’ll be carrying my wheels and tires and new apex valves to Discount tire for the install… anything I need to tell them or is this pretty straightforward for the tire monkey to understand?

No offense to tire monkeys, yall some of my favorites.

 

[clrussell]

Is there a new quality aftermarket sensor you recommend?

I’ll be carrying my wheels and tires and new apex valves to Discount tire for the install… anything I need to tell them or is this pretty straightforward for the tire monkey to understand?

No offense to tire monkeys, yall some of my favorites.

We personally use Schrader 33500. I would wager discount sells a quality sensor as well. I would purchase from the installer as they will need to program the universal sensor to your vehicle. If they have your old sensors (and still
Operational) they can copy and paste the sensor ID# so they do not have to be reprogrammed to your vehicle.

At least that’s how we do it.

I’m not sure on discounts policy but we don’t deal with carry in sensors as it ends up costing us time and money over just putting in the ones we install every day.

If it wasn’t for the fact of programming to your cruiser I could preprogram a set and mail to you. But they would still have to be trained to the vehicle.

(Patiently awaiting road trip pics)

 

[Artie]

(Patiently awaiting road trip pics)

They’re coming. My current view as I type this:

Heading east, one more big stop before home, Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

 

[clrussell]

They’re coming. My current view as I type this:

View attachment 3657681

Heading east, one more big stop before home, Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

I was an hour away from there with intention to go during the year of the Vid and they were closed

Enjoy

 

[HSTexan]

Shop squeezed me in yesterday--turns out I did not break a second TPMS out of the bracket, however, it was loose and able to rotate causing the issues I was experiencing with intermittent TPMS failure. Initial impression of the RCV's are cautiously optimistic. They are actually much faster than I imagined, however, they stick out past the face of the wheel by about 1/4"-3/8" (still well inside the outside face of the rubber). Unfortunately the Autel TPMS with rubber stems do not have a traditional rubber stem and there is a brass core so they have no give--as such I stuck with the full metal versions. I already carried a 2 pack of Colby Emergency Valves as a last resort in the off chance I broke one of the RPV's on my main wheels and then again on my spare. Those seem even more important now with the RCVs. I thought I would sell the RPV's, but with how much these stick out I'm going to keep the them in case I ever need to switch back if it proves to be an issue breaking these.

I did some testing and it seems 30-35 seconds is the sweet spot to get to my usual airdown pressure from standard street pressure. It's borderline where I'd want to do them individually still rather than get to all four at the same time. Downside is that my tire pressure gauge needs to come off to use the dump valve whereas I could leave it on the RPV and monitor where the pressure was.

Photos of the RCVs and how much they stick out:

Deflating a 285/70R18 (~34") Falken Wildpeak RT; 38psi to 17psi in 35 seconds on the dot:




And again for reference this is a 275/70R18 (33") Nitto Ridge Grappler going from 41psi to 18psi in just under 20 seconds with an RPV

 

[HSTexan]

View attachment 3656925

I forgot to comment about this, but unfortunately this style mount is not offered for Toyota OEM style TPMS sensors. The only way to mount Toyota sensors is with the bracket you had crossed out.

 

[clrussell]

I forgot to comment about this, but unfortunately this style mount is not offered for Toyota OEM style TPMS sensors. The only way to mount Toyota sensors is with the bracket you had crossed out.

I believe that to be correct.

That is why I stated to get new quality aftermarket tpms sensors that valve stem mount.

For the exact reason you had with intermittent issues.

 

[Artie]

@HSTexan

Thanks for the feedback on the RCV’s, especially the pictures.

35 seconds is fast. If imagine it’s as fast as oullling the core without fiddling with the removal tool. Can you drop air with your gauge attached?

 

[HSTexan]

@HSTexan

Thanks for the feedback on the RCV’s, especially the pictures.

35 seconds is fast. If imagine it’s as fast as oullling the core without fiddling with the removal tool. Can you drop air with your gauge attached?

I can't and don't think it would be possible; I swapped the normal single tooth chuck that came on the ARB gauge with a quick release chuck so as mine is it is definitely too big to stay attached. When you pull the valve there are only 3-4 threads showing so I'm not sure if any gauges would be able to stay attached.

 

[Artie]

My order arrived today, 8 RPV’s, a high flow chuck, and several rebuild kits. They are of high quality and the machine work is stellar.

I’ll probably have them on my camper first sometime next week then Cruiser as long as I can just drop off the tires.

 

[Artie]

I just dropped off my camper tires at my local Discount Tire to have the RPV’s and 2 ARB internal TPMS installed… there was a rather long behind closed door discussion between the tech and manager on if they would install them. Eventually, they decided they could install them, they do not have a torque wrench or blue loctite. Thankfully, I provided the loctite and the instructions cover the install without torque wrench so I left them everything and will return when they’re done.

I don’t know if I just have trust issues or what but I’m wondering if I made the correct choice or if I should have just let the air out and installed them at home and just carried them here for the balancing.

Also, they are unable to just copy over my Cruiser TPMS to new ones, I need to bring them the vehicle. He quoted $62 per sensor and said they were willing to hand loosen and tighten the lugs.

I’m at the point in my life where I peruse Craigslist and marketplace for lathes, mills and now tire mounting and balancing shop tools . Apparently I skipped the “get off my lawn stage” or it’s just not in my DNA.

 

[TeCKis300]

I'm always a bit anxious hiring work even to professional shops these days. Common sense seems to be in low supply.

Let us know how it goes and I'll probably be following in your footsteps shortly.

Also interested in the high flow chuck. I do notice that using my octopus to fill multiple tires is faster than just the sum of filling tires individually... likely due to flow resistance with the volume of air im trying to push through. Things that matter more when filling larger volume tires.

 

[Artie]

I'm always a bit anxious hiring work even to professional shops these days. Common sense seems to be in low supply.

Let us know how it goes and I'll probably be following in your footsteps shortly.

Also interested in the high flow chuck. I do notice that using my octopus to fill multiple tires is faster than just the sum of filling tires individually... likely due to flow resistance with the volume of air im trying to push through. Things that matter more when filling larger volume tires.

If it’s just the 4 Cruiser tires I’ll fill individually just to save hassle on packing up the octopus but if it’s also my camper or it’s hot it’s octopus all day.

I’ll report my thoughts on the high flow chuck. I’m eyeing their air hose spool thing as well, I think it will fit nicely in my bumper mounted spare tire area but I’ll need to run a line back there. For some reason the chuck on my ARB compressor is always filthy and it’s all over my hands by the time I’m done. I suffer greatly from mission creep.

I’ll update on the valve install. I guess it will be great until it decides to not be. Fingers crossed they apply the loctite.

 

[clrussell]

I just dropped off my camper tires at my local Discount Tire to have the RPV’s and 2 ARB internal TPMS installed… there was a rather long behind closed door discussion between the tech and manager on if they would install them. Eventually, they decided they could install them, they do not have a torque wrench or blue loctite. Thankfully, I provided the loctite and the instructions cover the install without torque wrench so I left them everything and will return when they’re done.

I don’t know if I just have trust issues or what but I’m wondering if I made the correct choice or if I should have just let the air out and installed them at home and just carried them here for the balancing.

Also, they are unable to just copy over my Cruiser TPMS to new ones, I need to bring them the vehicle. He quoted $62 per sensor and said they were willing to hand loosen and tighten the lugs.

I’m at the point in my life where I peruse Craigslist and marketplace for lathes, mills and now tire mounting and balancing shop tools . Apparently I skipped the “get off my lawn stage” or it’s just not in my DNA.

I wish you were closer. We could do this in a one stop shop.