Tire pressure monitoring gives you real-time temperature and pressure alerts to help you avoid tire blowouts—one of the most common issues that all RVers deal with. Whether planning a cross-country RV road trip or a quick weekend RV staycation, this is a must-have safety feature. We’re exploring whether the Lippert Tire Linc TPMS is the best tire pressure monitoring system for your RV.
Benefits of the Lippert Tire Linc TPMS
Lippert’s CURT Tire Linc™ tire pressure monitoring system is one of the easiest RV TPMS to install. You won’t need any heavy-duty tools or advanced RV renovation knowledge to add it to your towing setup. It also pairs with Apple and Android smartphones to give you an interface you’re already comfortable with when customizing tire pressure and temperature settings.
Here are a few bullet point benefits of Tire Linc:
- Prevents towing with under or over-inflated tires
- Includes 4 TPMS sensors, but the repeater can provide data for up to 20 tires
- Compatible with all towable RV trailers, as well as boat trailers and other towables
- Allows you to set up multiple profiles to move the repeater from towable to towable with ease
- Connects to your smartphone wirelessly using Bluetooth technology
- Features a rechargeable lithium battery that can deliver up to 60 hours of active use
- Provides notifications when hazardous conditions increase the likelihood of a blowout
While the Tire Linc’s easy, DIY installation is one of its best selling points, Lippert has also included smart design elements like a low-power mode that actively preserves battery life when you aren’t towing. The repeater itself is durable enough to withstand the rigors of road towing, with an IP67 rating that’s waterproof and dustproof up to one meter.
Here’s everything you get with the Tire Linc TPMS:
- Repeater and dock assemblies
- 4 Tire Linc sensors
- USB harness
- 120V USB wall charger
- Splice-in wiring harness
Does My RV Have Tire Linc TPMS Prep?
Some RVs already come prepped for the Tire Linc TPMS, or have it already installed. The best way to determine if Lippert Tire Linc is installed on your RV is to look for the repeater, which will typically be wall-mounted in an underneath storage compartment if installed by the RV manufacturer. You can also contact the manufacturer directly or consult your owner’s manual for more information on your RV’s factory-installed tire pressure monitoring systems.
If your camper is prepped for the LCI Tire Linc TPMS, you’ll typically need to purchase the Tire Linc sensors, install them on each tire, and then pair the pre-installed repeater to your smartphone using the Lippert Tire Linc App—you’ll find this listed as Lippert OneControl in whichever application store your smartphone offers.
Lippert Tire Linc Install Guide
Before you install this RV TPMS, charge the repeater to 100% using the 120V USB wall charger. Charging for a minimum of four hours is recommended, as pairing can be disrupted if the repeater charge drops below 25% during the installation. Lippert also recommends downloading their OneControl app before installation and topping off the pressure in your RV tires to ensure it matches the recommended PSI specified by the data plate on your RV’s sidewall.
With the repeater charged, the Tire Linc app installed, and the tires filled to the recommended PSI, here’s how to complete your Lippert Tire Linc install:
1. Select Power Method
Lippert gives you two options for powering the Tire Linc repeater:
1. 12V power from your RV battery
2. Portable battery power from the rechargeable lithium battery inside the repeater
For continuous 12V power, you’ll connect the repeater to your RV battery using the included splice-in 12V wiring harness.
To use the included battery, you’ll simply need to mount the TPMS repeater and monitor the remaining battery, periodically removing it to recharge using the included 120V wall charger. This method is preferred if you plan to use the repeater for multiple towing setups or if you simply don’t feel comfortable wiring the repeater into your RV electrical system.
2. Install The Repeater
Choose a mounting plate location on the trailer frame, exterior RV wall, or inside a storage compartment. The ideal location will allow you to remove the repeater easily, if necessary. The best position will ensure that the repeater faces toward your tow vehicle, allowing the best possible connectivity between the repeater and your smartphone.
Technician Tip: For splice-in wiring, you’ll also need to choose a location that allows you to splice the pigtail cable into your RV battery without the completed connection being strained or overly tight. Remember that things will bounce around as you tow, so an overtight connection is more likely to loosen or disconnect entirely, powering down the repeater.
With your location marked, orient the mounting plate vertically and mark the holes for installation. Then pre-drill those holes before using the included self-tapping screws to secure the mounting plate.
You can then slide the T-channel on the back of the repeater into the mounting plate to secure it in place. Ensure you hear a click to check that the mounting plate tab is engaged. To remove the repeater, simply push the tab backward and slide the repeater up and loose.
3. Connect To Power
To power on the fully charged repeater, simply press the button on the front to wake it up. The LED on the front should turn red for five seconds to indicate the repeater has power.
Technician Tip: For a splice-in connection, ensure the trailer’s power is off. Then, connect the terminal at one end of the wiring harness to the port on the side of the repeater. Finally, connect the red (power) wire and the black (ground) wire to the trailer. Ring terminals are useful here, connecting the red wire to the battery’s positive terminal and grounding the black wire to a secure location on the trailer’s frame.
4. Sync Repeater
Assuming you’ve already downloaded it, it’s now time to open the Lippert Tire Linc app (OneControl). You’ll need to follow the prompts in the app to accept licensing agreements and set up a new account or log into an existing one.
From there, select “Pair Device” under the Tire Linc icon, and the available TPMS repeater(s) should display under “Devices Found”. If multiple devices are present, select the one with the lowest dB value in the device ID (e.g., TireLinc -62dB). You can then tap the “Connect’ button and wait for pairing to complete, which will be evident when a notification displays and the app returns to the home page shortly thereafter.
5. Install Tire Linc Sensors
It is now time to use the LCI app to install the included tire sensors. Open the app, select the Tire Linc icon, choose “Open”, and then select “Set-Up”. The default configuration is for a single-axle trailer with two wheels, so you’ll need to use the buttons at the bottom of the screen to add wheels until the display shows the number of tires you need monitoring for. With that complete, select “Confirm”, and you’ll progress to the next screen.
Technician Tip: Do not select “Confirm” until the tire/axle configuration is correct. A change to the configuration after selecting “Confirm” will require a repeater reset. The Lippert Tire Linc Manual provides full instructions on a factory reset.
In the “Pair Sensors” screen, select the tire you want to pair and screw the sensor onto that tire. Fully tighten the sensor. It may take up to 90 seconds for the sensor to wake up and connect. It’s imperative that you proceed in this order by “tapping ‘Pair’ and then screwing on the sensor,” as the connection will likely fail otherwise. When the sensor is found, proceed to the next tire and repeat these steps until all sensors are installed.
Technician Tip: You may also use the lock nuts as a theft deterrent when installing the Tire Linc sensors. To do so, add them to the tire stems and leave enough room for the sensors. Once the sensors are installed, they will be fully tightened.
Lippert Tire Linc Battery Replacement
Each Tire Linc sensor comes with a small CR1632 replaceable battery. If a sensor stops working, you may simply need to complete a Tire Linc battery replacement. To do so, follow these steps:
- Remove the sensor from the tire stem and locate the included stem sensor tool.
- Take the tool apart by rotating the upper and lower pieces in opposite directions and gently prying them apart.
- Place one piece on top of the sensor and the other on the bottom.
- Unscrew the top cap of the stem sensor to reveal the battery.
- Remove and replace the battery and the stem sensor O-ring.
- Use the stem sensor tool to tighten the top cap back in place.
- Secure the sensor back on the tire stem.
Hopefully, these tips will help you install your CURT Tire Linc™ tire pressure monitoring system. But if you don’t feel comfortable installing or adjusting this Tire Linc™ RV TPMS, contact our Service Department.
Here are a few other easy-to-install RV upgrades to consider:
- CURT TruTrack™ 4P: Your Ideal Weight Distribution Hitch?
- Does Your RV Need a Trailer Sway Control Kit?
- Is The Echo Brake Controller the Easiest RV Upgrade?
What questions do you have about Tire Linc compatibility or installation for your RV? Let us know in the comments below.
