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Old 08-28-2022, 05:57 AM   #1
clockmanjim
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Laser Thermometers

I've been reading posts that broach the subject of carrying one of these to check wheel bearing & brake temps. Well,I went to the store and picked one up to add to my growing bag of goodies. After I tested it a couple of times, I got to thinking, if I stop at a rest area or when I reach my campground and use this handy gadget to check the temp of my bearings, how do I know if they are hot or normal? I realize that the heat generated will depend on the weight being towed, terrain and distance being towed, but is there any type of chart that tells me what might be normal?
Thanks as always for any input


Jim
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Old 08-28-2022, 06:00 AM   #2
WNY Bullet
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Originally Posted by clockmanjim View Post
I've been reading posts that broach the subject of carrying one of these to check wheel bearing & brake temps. Well,I went to the store and picked one up to add to my growing bag of goodies. After I tested it a couple of times, I got to thinking, if I stop at a rest area or when I reach my campground and use this handy gadget to check the temp of my bearings, how do I know if they are hot or normal? I realize that the heat generated will depend on the weight being towed, terrain and distance being towed, but is there any type of chart that tells me what might be normal?
Thanks as always for any input
I look for one being abnormally hot. All the bearings won't go bad at the same time, so look for one or two to be abnormally different!
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Old 08-28-2022, 06:04 AM   #3
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There may be more accurate methods, but what I look for is a large inconsistency in temps between wheels.

An eTrailer Q&A is saw indicates over 200* could indicate an issue.
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Old 08-28-2022, 09:16 AM   #4
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Thank you both for your responses


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Old 08-28-2022, 12:59 PM   #5
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I use the back of my hand to feel each of the wheels at a fuel stop. Not very scientific, but you can easily tell if one is hotter than the others.

On my recent trip, I found the driver’s side rear wheel very hot at a fuel stop. I jacked the wheel to check the bearings and found a broken spring hanger. We limped it to the next campground and got a welder to come out and weld the hanger. While I had the wheel off I decided to pull the hub and check the brakes and bearings. The bearings were good, but I repacked them anyway. However the brake pads fell out when I pulled the drum. It appears both the primary and secondary pads came unglued from the shoes and were binding in the drum creating the heat. The rest of the trip went good and there were no more temperature issues.

The likelihood of more than one wheel heating up at the same time is very low, so as much as I love gadgets, the back of my hand is all I need.
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Old 08-28-2022, 02:06 PM   #6
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I use the back of my hand to feel each of the wheels at a fuel stop. Not very scientific, but you can easily tell if one is hotter than the others.

On my recent trip, I found the driver’s side rear wheel very hot at a fuel stop. I jacked the wheel to check the bearings and found a broken spring hanger. We limped it to the next campground and got a welder to come out and weld the hanger. While I had the wheel off I decided to pull the hub and check the brakes and bearings. The bearings were good, but I repacked them anyway. However the brake pads fell out when I pulled the drum. It appears both the primary and secondary pads came unglued from the shoes and were binding in the drum creating the heat. The rest of the trip went good and there were no more temperature issues.

The likelihood of more than one wheel heating up at the same time is very low, so as much as I love gadgets, the back of my hand is all I need.

Rob go ahead and get the gadget! The hand thing works pretty well until you get someone jabbering to you (and you jabbering back) while putting your hand on the hubs absent mindedly. A person can blister their hand and come up with some very colorful words!! You can get one of those infrared temp gauges for $13-14 and have it in a couple of days (just got my 3rd one yesterday).
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Old 08-28-2022, 03:48 PM   #7
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What I’ve noticed is my hubs tend to run pretty consistent around 20-25 degrees warmer than ambient temps. This last trip we were running in 95-100 degree temps, the hubs were right around 120. If one was significantly warmer than the others, I would have checked it.
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Old 08-28-2022, 03:49 PM   #8
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The IR temp guns are handy for lots of things. Good for checking a/c return air vs discharge air temps, thermal leaks around seals, and for checking breakers and wire connections for heat frome loose/arcing connections to name a few.
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Old 08-28-2022, 03:54 PM   #9
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The IR temp guns are handy for lots of things. Good for checking a/c return air vs discharge air temps, thermal leaks around seals, and for checking breakers and wire connections for heat frome loose/arcing connections to name a few.
In some cases, you can use them to find aluminum studs in the rv walls too. There is a slight temp difference where the stud is vs the rest of the wall.
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Old 08-28-2022, 04:01 PM   #10
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The IR temp guns are handy for lots of things. Good for checking a/c return air vs discharge air temps, thermal leaks around seals, and for checking breakers and wire connections for heat frome loose/arcing connections to name a few.

Lots of things. Heck the one I just got is to check temps on an induction range I put in the house. Who knows what 1-9 or "power" means in temps? The the type of pan makes a difference, this way I'll have some idea. Use it on the smoker we carry in the RV etc. etc. - handy little gadget.
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Old 08-29-2022, 04:24 AM   #11
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I did get one of these devises and with the trip planned for next month, I’ll have plenty of opportunities to use it. Heading to an area north of Toronto to visit my wife’s relatives. From there it’s the Lake Superior circle tour.
We been camping for many years now and haven’t paid much attention to potential problems. Now that I’m older and wiser��, I find it necessary to to be precautious about all things. I just recently ditched my Trailer Kings for a set of Goodyear Endurance tires. I’ve sensors for reading my propane levels. Yup, this stuff works for me
Jim
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