Tire inflation access on wheel pants

[RV8Squaz]

This what I did many years ago. I use a 3/8” nut driver to remove the valve stem cap and access the valve stem with a 6” extension.

[rswalden]

Lots of good ideas here for making a quick-access to the tire valves. I did that too. But now... I never use them...
When its time to add air, I take off my wheel pants and look things over... especially the brake pads to see if they need replacing.
Using Nord-Lock washers instead of safety wiring the 7/16 bolt makes removing the wheel pants a breeze...

[Scott Hersha]

This is what I’ve used on all 6 of my RV’s to plug the 1”access hole:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-2-P...e-Plug/3109067

They come in black and white where I live, and they are paintable. I use my pocket knife to pry it off. Then I use a piece of fuel line rubber hose to remove the valve stem cap. I have a valve extension that threads onto the valve stem - easily - and holds air. The whole process takes a couple minutes and costs very little.

I have a couple of those spring loaded hole covers that I have never used because of the perceived difficulty with in use servicing. Plus the extra effort required to install them. The plastic caps snap right into the 1” hole you make. Buy a couple extras because they are so cheap.

[pilotkms]

This is the easiest way. Skybolt quarter turns.

[Larry DeCamp]

I have small holes in the fairing that will pass a 10mm socket to remove the Michelin inner tube stem cap. The hole is so small I don’t cover it. I could turn custom plastic plugs like Scott purchased, but don't know if it matters. What is the problem with a small diameter hole ?

[BH1166]

I use hole covers like Scott uses. I don’t use valve stem caps ( no attacking please) , mark the tire with tire marking crayon, a valve extension ( such as this)
https://www.amazon.com/Dually-Valve-...-2-spons&psc=1

Pretty simple.

[Bill Boyd]

Not attacking (I'm on your team), but I'm clearly not understanding the perceived importance of valve stem caps. I ditched them about a decade into my 20 year RV-6A ownership and never looked back, tossed the next set in the trash when I was building the RV-10, and do not see any tragedy that may be lurking just because they aren't still in my way every time I want to check or add air. They may keep dirt out (never an operational problem in my experience) but they don't hold air inside if the Schrader valve is leaking.

I'm honestly not sure why we preserve this ritual. Is it like safety wiring an oil filter - we've just always done it and we can't seem to stop?

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by Bill Boyd

Not attacking (I'm on your team), but I'm clearly not understanding the perceived importance of valve stem caps.

I ditched the stem caps years ago too. Then landed one day after a visit to a local grass field and had a low tire that went totally flat while I went to the FBO for a drink and a restroom visit. The culprit was a piece of trash that fouled the valve stem.

I went back to the stem caps after that.

Anecdotal, I know...

[plehrke]

Caps keep dirt and brake dust out of the stem opening. That dirt is pushed into the valve when putting air in. There is potential for that dirt to hold the value open causing a value stem leak.

[Carl Froehlich]

Originally Posted by plehrke

Caps keep dirt and brake dust out of the stem opening. That dirt is pushed into the valve when putting air in. There is potential for that dirt to hold the value open causing a value stem leak.

+1
And it is simple to remove and replace the valve stem cap with a 10mm socket.

Carl