Thermometer for wheels

[limit4]

Forgive me for asking this but when folks talk about checking wheel temp, what type thermometer are we talking about? Thanks for any advice.

[busterbrown]

An infrared thermometer works best...like this one on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lase...4487885&sr=1-1

[Ddubya]

If you want to check them manually just get a laser temp gauge. Amazon has them for under $20.00.
I have one but also have the Eez tire monitor system that monitors both temp and pressure automatically.

[limit4]

To the touch, how hot should the hubs and the drums be when pulling down the interstate? Also what should the thermometer read and where do you hold it? Thanks so much. I have some concerns about my brakes over heating. I am pulling a 9900 lb rig.

[sourdough]

Different areas read differently. I read the tread, wheel and hub on each tire. I also have a TST 507 tire monitor system that gives temp and tire pressure. The temps from the monitor system are consistently lower than the wheel/hub. The temps of the wheel/tire/hub will vary with the temp outside, orientation to the sun and other variables. You need to read them all to get a norm for the wheels. If one is way off you have a problem. Off the top of my head I think about the hottest I've ever seen one of my hubs (usually the hottest place) is about 120. Others will chime in I'm sure. If you're worried about brakes/wheels etc. you need to invest in the infrared gun as soon as you can. Inexpensive and very informative.

[Canonman]

We have the TST 507 as well and would recommend if you are concerned about tire/wheel/hub temps, get a TPMS like the 507. What you're really looking for is if one wheel starts to get hotter than the others. If the variance is noticeable then you have a chance to pull over determine the cause and possibly effect repairs before any damage is done.
We had an incident where one wheel was significantly hotter than the others. All the pressure readings were 80lbs. At first I thought we had a bearing getting hot. When we pulled over I could smell hot brakes. Since we knew which wheel, I raised it off the ground and found the brake was indeed sticking.
Simple fix was to reset the brake controller and the brake started to operate normally.
Had we waited a couple hundred miles to check the temp at our next planned fuel stop, things might have turned out differently.
I'd never tow without a TPMS. Peace of mind ia wonderful feeling

[Ken / Claudia]

Be careful about touching the hubs. If there is a problem the hub and or wheel can burn your fingers. I just had a sticking brake on the boat trailer, the hub was 174 F after 10 miles. Checked with a IF whiles the others were 65-70.

[CWtheMan]

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

Be careful about touching the hubs. If there is a problem the hub and or wheel can burn your fingers. I just had a sticking brake on the boat trailer, the hub was 174 F after 10 miles. Checked with a IF whiles the others were 65-70.

To be on the safe side you should have that tire dismounted for heat damage inspection. Probably the safest thing to do is replace it.

Polyester really doesn't stand-up well to excessive heat.

[SummitPond]

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

... Checked with a IF whiles the others were 65-70.

How much time does one have before the tire/hub etc cools off to the point you see a significant difference? One minute? Two minutes? More?

Thanks for the feedback.

[Tinner12002]

One thing I noticed on mine is that the curbside tires run about 10 degrees warmer than street side but as others have mentioned the TPMS systems will monitor that pretty good. May not be exactly the same but pretty close.

[Canonman]

We also noticed that as we are driving, the readings on the side facing the sun are a few degrees warmer than the shaded side. That's sensitive enough for us.
As for how long to cool down, it took about 30 minutes for the "hot wheel" to get back down to the same temp as the others.
Once back home we pulled the wheel and checked the bearings and brake shoes and drums for heat damage. We got lucky and had no visible signs of discoloration.

[CWtheMan]

Originally Posted by Tinner12002

One thing I noticed on mine is that the curbside tires run about 10 degrees warmer than street side but as others have mentioned the TPMS systems will monitor that pretty good. May not be exactly the same but pretty close.

Sometimes road camber can cause that.

[gearhead]

Use a infra red heat gun with a laser. Take the temp at the same place...mid sidewall, etc. you're looking for the "outlier".
I shoot the temp gun between the spokes to the brake drum and also try to get as close to the bearing area as possible. Like others said...the sunny side will always be hotter. Depending on ambient temp, 20-30 over ambient isn't unusual.
I've had my brake drums 300F+ while seating new shoes.

[limit4]

Thanks everyone. Just ordered one. Not leaving again for 2 weeks, so it should be here in plenty of time. This forum is great because of the folks that are willing to help.

[notanlines]

We'll make you a deal. DW and I will overnight you an infrared thermometer and you overnight us a large Imo's pizza; loaded. Seem fair?

[limit4]

Jim that sounds very fair, but mine will be here tomorrow. We came through Memphis sat. On our way home from Destin. No Imo's in the big town of Festus. Thanks for the thought

[ctbruce]

Originally Posted by limit4

Jim that sounds very fair, but mine will be here tomorrow. We came through Memphis sat. On our way home from Destin. No Imo's in the big town of Festus. Thanks for the thought

Mmmmmmmm...Imo's. None in Kansas City either. And no White Castles. So very sad. [emoji25]

[limit4]

White castle we have. Exit 175 Festus Missouri I 55

[notanlines]

Limit, we've stopped at the Imo's in Festus, just south of the White Castle I believe next to the UPS Store. Sorry Chip, but I can't bring White Castle back to Kansas City.

[limit4]

Jim I was told it was closed. I will check next time I am in town.