Valve Stem Additions
While our new Rickson Truck Wheels were round and true and reversible from front to rear, there was a major problem that should have been taken care of before they were powder coated or certainly before I mounted five new Michelin XZL 335/80R20 tires. These new wheels absolutely had to have valve stems on both sides. We often air our tires up and down two or three times a day, going from pavement to dirt, sand or gravel and back. Better ride and fewer punctures are the results. If the valve stems are on the inside of the wheel, that means crawling under the truck to air down or up. A 90° extension was not the answer. That would create a potential leak point and make it just as difficult to access. We drilled a 5/8” hole in each wheel. Then it was partially broken down to insert the new valve stem. I knew this needed to be done when the wheels were ordered, but Rickson Truck Wheels said they couldn’t do it. Remind me to ask Rickson why. Please don’t ask me why we didn’t do this before we mounted the tires.
A 90° extension was not the answer. That would create a potential leak point and make it just a difficult to access.
We drilled a 5/8” hole in each wheel to insert the new valve stem.
Installing valve stems on both sides of the new wheels was a simple process that should have been done before we mounted the new tires.
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