Cap It Off

Removing and losing valve caps is a common ritual among RV owners. If you have internal tire pressure monitoring system sensors or simply don’t run one of these devices, Gator Caps really come in handy.

Checking tire pressure before any road trip is one of the most important tasks owners can perform. More and more owners are turning to tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) to keep them informed of proper tire pressure and temperature, and factory-installed internal sensors are becoming more popular every year. Those of us with internal sensors — or no monitoring device at all — can opt for Gator Caps, eliminating valve stem caps, which must be removed when using a pressure gauge or air chuck.

Gator Caps, also known as Alligator Caps replace typical valve caps on standard Schrader valves and allow you to check air pressure without removing them first. Gator Caps were invented more than 50 years ago in Europe and have been used extensively by truckers who check air-pressure frequently and dislike removing — and losing — valve caps. Gator Caps have two built-in grommets that create a double seal to prevent air loss. When screwed onto the end of a Schrader valve, the Gator Cap depresses the valve core, and the air is blocked from escaping by the second seal in the end of a grooved extrusion that accepts air chucks.

The Gator Caps have two built-in grommets that provide a double seal. There are no threads on the end. Instead, groves that are cut into metal offer a smoother fit for air chucks — and are more suitable for holding on to clip-on air chucks that are commonly used with portable compressors.

Installing the Gator Cap could not be simpler. Just remove the existing valve cap and screw on the Gator Cap. Here the Gator Cap is screwed onto the Schrader valve in the front wheel of a Ram dual-rear-wheel truck. When screwed onto the Schrader valve, the Gator Cap depresses the valve core. Air is held in by the second seal, which is depressed only when checking and/or adjusting pressure.

Clip-on air chucks hold better on the Gator Cap grooves, which also make it smoother when using other types of air chucks and pressure gauges. Many times, the Schrader-valve threads become boogered over time and create resistance for the air chuck.

There are no threads in the end of the Gator Cap, thus external TPMS sensors will not work, but the grooves allow any air chuck to slide on smoothly without having to “booger up” threads on the Schrader valves that make it difficult for the air chuck to seat properly. These grooves also help hold clip-on air chucks more securely, which is a boon for those RVers who use portable compressors that take a while to reach desired air-pressure in the tire.

A 10-pack of Alligator-brand, V2B Double Seal Gator Caps can be purchased on Amazon for $15.79. According to Alligator, its caps have logged hundreds of million miles by truckers with a proven reliable track record.

You should never travel with the Schrader valves uncapped, and removing a valve cap doesn’t seem like a big deal — but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to crawl around on rough terrain while looking for a cap that got away. My knees have thanked me for this upgrade.