Automatic tire inflation provider P.S.I. announced the launch of the TireView tire management solution for commercial vehicle tractors and trailers during a press conference at the Technology & Maintenance Council's Annual Meeting and Expo. TireView provides fleets the ability to monitor tire pressure for tractors and straight trucks, trailers with telematics and work trucks. It also integrates the company's ATIS technology and system status, when applicable.
This launch comes two years after the company's the purchase of TPMS provider TST.
TireView provides easily tailored system alerts and a "fast leak" warning, with near real-time reporting. The management solution is compatible with multiple telematics interface methods, including RS232, J1939 and Bluetooth. Additional features include efficient sensor pairing with a unique six-digit identification on sensors. Tire rotations can be easily completed, allowing the fleet to rmove sensors that are already paired to different tire locations. The system comes with a two-year warranty.
The TireView TPMS product provides monitoring of tire pressure through two sensor options: cab sensor and rim band sensor. Both have benefits and challenges to the fleets. TireView provides an in-cab widescreen color display and is third-party telematics compatible.
A TPMS cap sensor requires removal of the sensor to add air to the tire, and can make it difficult to access the inner wheel. Benefits include ease of service and replacement, and easy adaptability to ATIS. A rim band sensor can sometimes present a a maintenance issue with challenges keeping the sensor attached to the rim, and there is an increased need for tire removal for battery replacement of the sensor. Rim band sensors are ATIS friendly, can protect from theft and damage, and make it easy to add air to the tire.
When used without ATIS, such as on drive axles or tractors, TireView can be used with a Flow Thru Kit, utilizing cap sensors protected behind a bracket. The sensors stay with the axle, not the tire, providing a solution to sensor management challenges experienced by some fleets.
Jim Sharkey, vice president of sales and marketing for P.S.I. advised next phases for the company will included integrated smart vehicle initiatives, availability for buses, and specialized applications.
