Hub Temperature

mtb4life · 08-20-2016, 06:12 PM

I towed our 2016 Whitehawk yesterday for about 122 miles for 3 hours in a 90 degree weather on a stop n go traffic. I was just cruising at 60mph on the last 5 miles with a little bit of descent here and there.

While waiting for my wife to check us in, i decided to check the hub temperature with a laser temp gun. The 2 front hubs (driver and passenger) of the tandem axle read about 130 degrees each. However, both back hubs (driver and passenger) read about 180 degrees. This is after the trailer has been on parked for about 5 minutes.

Are those temps normal? I don't have yet a baseline temp of the hubs and should have checked the hub temps every time we tow.

**norty1** · 08-20-2016, 06:40 PM

Seems high to me from my recollection when I used one of those. Did you lay your hand on one of them?

Grumpy · 08-20-2016, 07:06 PM

This is from a boat trailer site, but still applies:

As long as the grease isn't melting you are ok. Expect non brake temps to run up to around 120. If you have brakes here are the numbers
180-200 normal
250 o-rings fail in covers
300 seals fail

ALJO · 08-20-2016, 07:23 PM

Are you traveling level, because of the difference in temperature?
Seals are OK from -40 to 210 F (short period up to 250 F)
Bearings are OK up to 250 F

Bigmoo315 · 08-21-2016, 06:18 AM

Pointing the laser right where the bearings are I get between 112-122. One of my bearings always seems to be 5 to 8 degrees warmer than the rest. I just did 1800 miles a couple weeks ago and they seem to stay right around that range.

TxTwoSome · 08-21-2016, 08:02 AM

Just a little info concerning Laser heat guns to get an accurate reading do not point at chrome surfaces.

If you must put a piece of black tape on the shiny surface to get accurate readings.

I picked up this info from our Engineers at work using laser heat guns.

I figure they should know but then maybe not? Use this info accordingly

mtb4life · 08-21-2016, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALJO

Are you traveling level, because of the difference in temperature?
Seals are OK from -40 to 210 F (short period up to 250 F)
Bearings are OK up to 250 F

Yep pretty much level when parked and hitched up.

mtb4life · 08-21-2016, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmoo315

Pointing the laser right where the bearings are I get between 112-122. One of my bearings always seems to be 5 to 8 degrees warmer than the rest. I just did 1800 miles a couple weeks ago and they seem to stay right around that range.

The dot is pointed at the exposed portion of the hub in between the spokes of the rim.

Levinehikeski · 08-21-2016, 11:52 AM

In my opinion, you aren't even (weight-wise). Seems like you have more weight towards the back of the trailer causing more friction when the rear tires are spinning. Even so, I don't think it's an issue.

**norty1** · 08-21-2016, 12:15 PM

In addition to the temperature, I am also as much concerned that all four hubs are near the same temp.

That tells you a lot about the overall status and as long as you point the laser at the same spot, the chrome should not affect anything but the actual temp.

Bigmoo315 · 08-21-2016, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtb4life

The dot is pointed at the exposed portion of the hub in between the spokes of the rim.

This is where I put the laser,are you talking about the brake drum behind the rim that you are pointing the laser to? If that's what you mean that will be directly related to the amount of braking that you were in doing, if you're concerned about the bearing temps then you want to be where my finger is pointing I believe. If there is a difference from each axle it could be that the brakes are not adjusted properly. I'm no expert by any means but this is the way I learned to keep an eye on the temperatures. Of course most of that was putting my hand on each one and making sure was never hot to the touch, but now I have the laser to get a more accurate temp.

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mtb4life · 08-21-2016, 04:35 PM

Well not sure what's going on now, got home from camping and measured the hubs again thinking i could repeat hub temp inconsistencies, all 4 hubs measure at between 115-120 degrees after i parked.

mtb4life · 08-21-2016, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmoo315

This is where I put the laser,are you talking about the brake drum behind the rim that you are pointing the laser to? If that's what you mean that will be directly related to the amount of braking that you were in doing, if you're concerned about the bearing temps then you want to be where my finger is pointing I believe. If there is a difference from each axle it could be that the brakes are not adjusted properly. I'm no expert by any means but this is the way I learned to keep an eye on the temperatures. Of course most of that was putting my hand on each one and making sure was never hot to the touch, but now I have the laser to get a more accurate temp. Attachment 26351

Ahh. thanks i'll try to measure that area next time.

Bucko06 · 08-21-2016, 06:00 PM

Don't worry about these temperatures or the differences front to rear. Bearing temperature can easily vary due to load (unequal weight between axles or even how the clearance was set at oem), grease distribution, brake settings, the difference in airflow or even how the measurement itself is taken. The temperature levels you are measuring are not too extreme for the bearings, seals and grease used.

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