Tire and Wheel Bearing Running Temperature

[Lowes48fan1]

I recently purchased an infrared temperature scanner to use when towing. Each time I stop for gas I plan checking the trailer tire and wheel bearing temperatures. Can anyone tell me what the acceptable range should be for towing a Salem Hemisphere 282RK tandem axle trailer on a 85 degree day? Perhaps the better question is, at what temperature should I be concerned?

Thanks,
Matt

[KRSmitty]

I recently purchased the infrared scanner also. I have been seeing temps around 100* on the tires. I have not used on the hub/bearing area. Usually feel those by hand.

[acadianbob]

Depends on the outside temp to some degree. I know that my tires run about 10 to 15 degrees warmer than the ambient temperature.

[northstar1960]

Originally Posted by Lowes48fan1

I recently purchased an infrared temperature scanner to use when towing. Each time I stop for gas I plan checking the trailer tire and wheel bearing temperatures. Can anyone tell me what the acceptable range should be for towing a Salem Hemisphere 282RK tandem axle trailer on a 85 degree day? Perhaps the better question is, at what temperature should I be concerned?

Thanks,
Matt

I just touch with my hand . nothing over warm ever so if i touch and get burned then i know something is up . with the infrared i would guess anything over 120 bearings and 110 tire . but just a guess

[youroo]

I would just shoot all 4 and see if they within the same range,whatever that might be! The chances of all 4 going at the same time is slim! Youroo!!

[dieselbobcat]

Do the same thing at every stop... I use a M18 Milwaukee infrared with laser... It usually lives on my work truck. I shoot the sidewall, tread and hub... looking for anomalies... the temps vary with speed and outside temp... I can tell you there is a interesting correlation with loading as well- the rear tires of the TV are always 8-10 degrees greater than the fronts. I do a overall walk around, shoot the tires and hubs on TV and TT and check lights in the time the DW and DD's use the on board facilities.

Hoping to buy a TPMS this season... but I will probably continue out of habit.

[jeffnick]

One More Time Around: Hot Hubs & Trailer Bearing Grease

[palmetto rogue]

Shoot the temp on your tow vehicle also. My trailer and TV run the same. Any temp above 150 deserves concern. If you use the touch method 160 is the limit that you can touch comfortably.

[rsdata]

I would just shoot all 4 and see if they within the same range,whatever that might be! The chances of all 4 going at the same time is slim!

X2

back in the day before electronics... touch the tires and the hubs... any one hotter than the others ( take into account on sunny days, the sunny side can be 10-12 degrees hotter than the shady side) then take notice... stop again in another 10 or so miles... if it is really hot to the touch, and your not in the south in August, then investigate before getting back under way

[D W]

Originally Posted by dieselbobcat

Do the same thing at every stop... I use a M18 Milwaukee infrared with laser... It usually lives on my work truck. I shoot the sidewall, tread and hub... looking for anomalies... the temps vary with speed and outside temp... I can tell you there is a interesting correlation with loading as well- the rear tires of the TV are always 8-10 degrees greater than the fronts. I do a overall walk around, shoot the tires and hubs on TV and TT and check lights in the time the DW and DD's use the on board facilities.

Hoping to buy a TPMS this season... but I will probably continue out of habit.

Nothing beats a walk-a-round and having a look-see. TPMS has it's purposes, but it can't see a ply separation, bulge in the sidewall or a chuck of tread missing. There's probably a wide spectrum of hub temperatures depending on what your rig is and how much of a load you have onboard. As a rule of thumb, if it's too hot to touch-you have a problem. Just keep in mind that they will get hotter when you first stop due to no air flow to cool them.

[Harkerr]

I look for differences between axles on a side. I typically see 100-120 degree temps. Note you will see higher on the sunny side.

I caught a dragging brake problem with the measurement. Initially thought it was a bearing problem. Backing plate had come loose.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by youroo

I would just shoot all 4 and see if they within the same range,whatever that might be! The chances of all 4 going at the same time is slim! Youroo!!

Spot on advice.

I see varying temps with my IR laser thermometer according to ambient (outside) temperature and sun. As long as all 4 are the same (or within a few degrees of each other) you are good to go.

[Blaster 84]

I check at every stop. I check tires where the wall meets the tread and wheel hubs. Ambient temperature and the sun will make a difference which can vary day to day. So I mainly watch for a temp that is out of synch with others measured.

[DreiHunde]

Originally Posted by youroo

I would just shoot all 4 and see if they within the same range,whatever that might be! The chances of all 4 going at the same time is slim! Youroo!!

Yep! This

[DickiedooFlagman]

Originally Posted by youroo

I would just shoot all 4 and see if they within the same range,whatever that might be! The chances of all 4 going at the same time is slim! Youroo!!

X2 The IR tester is a great idea. The thing to watch for is the temp difference between tires and bearings. If one tire/bearing is significantly different than the others, that is a sign of a problem or developing problem. Tires on the sunny side are a bit warmer than the shade side.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by KRSmitty

I recently purchased the infrared scanner also. I have been seeing temps around 100* on the tires. I have not used on the hub/bearing area. Usually feel those by hand.

Just wondering why if you have a temperature scanner,,, why would you not use it on your hubs as well ???

[Davidg]

At stops, I will shoot all 8 tires, and at least the 4 trailer hubs. I'm mostly looking for a change. As I recall, the hub temps would run in the 130 degree F range, and tires mostly around 105-110, except for the truck's rear tires which will run a little warmer. But as long as both rear tires are close, I just roll-on. This is interstate driving in summer.

[Windjammingnc]

On our last trip, I measured the hub temps when we stopped for fuel...

Driver's side Front/Rear: 117 and 127 respectively
Pass. Side Front/Rear: 137 and 145 respectively (Sunny Side during travel)

This is consistent with a previous stop before I had the IR tester. I felt by hand and the Driver Front was cold. I am concerned that either the driver front brake is not working effectively or grease is in the brakes (this is a new trailer).

Thoughts?

[Harkerr]

Seems like a big difference side to side. I do not see that on mine. Brakes set tighter on that side may be slightly dragging or spindle nuts tighter. Bears checking for sure. Temps seem high to me.

[rsdata]

On our last trip, I measured the hub temps when we stopped for fuel...

Driver's side Front/Rear: 117 and 127 respectively
Pass. Side Front/Rear: 137 and 145 respectively (Sunny Side during travel)

about what was the outside temp at the time?

I don't shoot the temp with a meter, but my hubs feel only slightly warmer than the outside temp... to me yours look a bit high