Tire and bearing temps

[NorskeNY]

I justpurchased a Mastercool MSC52224A Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer. I'll use it to check tire, bearing and other temps. Anyone else use aInfrared Thermometer to monitor temps when towing?

[Lloyd]

My TPMS tells me what the tire temps are, along with the air pressure.

[rcflyer]

I use aNon-Contact Infrared Thermometer for the same reason. With the wheels I have which are similar to the ones in your picture I can get the temperature of the brake drums. I would not recommend touching a brake drum with a bare finger. I look for any big difference in temperature. If one drum is much higher or lower than the rest then there is probably a problem with the brake on that drum. Same for bearings.</span>

[happycampers]

CampMackay uses an infrared thermometer. Maybe he will chime in.
A TST TPMS is on my wishlist, but the infrared is definitely more affordable...But for now, I check psi every time I hook up and re fuel. I feel the tire and hub with my hand/arm to get a rough idea of temps.

[CampMacKay]

I use one I bought at Princess Auto, Canadian Tire has one on sale for this weekend only $19.98.
I check the TV, trailer tires and hubs right after I stop. The trailer's are usually around 115 degrees and the truck's are about 10 degrees cooler. I guess that's normal, any one else know what they should run at?
It really helped to pinpoint a sticky brake calliper on my truck. I knew right away, because the bad one was about 300 degrees hotter.
And it's fun to play with too.

[danskool]

I use my temp gauge all the time.. I also get around 115 on a hot day.. I never write it down but i look for the abnormal one or unreasonable hot one.

I also shoot my rear dif.. about 140/160.. I even installed a finned cover to help that. Used to be 180.

[CampMacKay]

Good call on the DIF. I'm going to add it to my list to check.

[Flyone]

Bob &amp; Pat---I have checked the temps after towing for a short trip---tire temps were around 115 F like others have said. Brake hub temps were (I think)160/165 F (if I remember correctly) I did not record the temps but looked for onehigher than the others.

Flyone

[Kamper Dave]

Norske, This is a great idea as well asgood insuranceagainst RV damage or injury to others. When in the work force we
became involved with infrared being used to monitor industrial process.
At one time we designed a bearing monitoring system for an earth shaking 2,100
ton metal forging press.

To monitor the bearing temperatures on the RV then I would
need to take the heat generated by braking out of the equation. The Infrared
device would have to be focused on the axle spindle not the brake drum. Of
course extremely high drum temperatures would be an alarm that there are
problems either with the brakes or a possible bad bearing and action could be taken to devert damage.

A few other ideas would be chalk or thermocouple wire:

The metal heat treating industry uses a chalk that changes
color with temperature. It is calibrated for a specific temperature and is
surprisingly accurate. This product with a high enough calibration and applied
to the drum and/or the axle would also be a way to check for excessive
temperatures.

A few feet of thermocouple wire with one end twisted
together and attached to the hub would produce a voltage that could be measured
with an inexpensive handheld pyrometer. A good sensor could be made from stranded
Type K wire. Type K wire is tuff, inexpensive, will not rust and it can be
ordered with PVC over PVC insulation. </span>If
the electric brake wiring can handle the bouncing of the axle then this sensor
wire ought to survive.

[NorskeNY]

Thanks for all of the info! Picked up our unit from the dealer this week and when I got it home I measure the temps - all were about the same. But - - it was 38 degrees out so I would not expect to see any high temps - only of there was a significant issue.

Kamper Dave - a thermocouple for the back bearing would work and use the infrared thermometer for the front bearing with the cap removed for the bearing zirc. The again if there was overheating it would be seen by both bearings - so a thermocouple would take care of both.

[danskool]

One more additional thing is i also read my Trans Pan. To compare the reading to my Trans' temperature gage, They are supriseling close readings..



I have never been over 170 Degree Transmission temperature, The big cooler is working nicely when pulling. Came close to breaking that mark this summer going through a town with the Torque converter not being locked @ 30mph.. It was a super hot day. Almost 100 degrees ampient

[Kamper Dave]

Dan,

A BD Tranny Pan is on my Christmas List.

How do you Lock and Unlock the Torque Converter? I use the
PacBrake but when down shifting at low speeds the truck sends out a grating
sound. I think it may be the Differential or the Torque Converter slipping.

Years back an old timer told me that you need to maintain 35
mph to have enough air over the coolers and radiators. I have found this to be
true driving my Transmission Temperature up to 185º on a hot days climb up a
mountain road.

[dhasenwinkle]

Thanks for the info. I just purchased an infrared thermometer from Princess Auto for $19.95 cdn.
Will be checking the temps on our next trip.