Hub Temperatures While Traveling

[travelingjw]

I've seen people refer to taking the temperature of the wheel hub while traveling. A few questions.
1. I would think that you need to measure at the metal cap, not the plastic decoration cap on the hub.
2. What is an acceptable temperature of the hub.
3. Does it make any difference if you have two wheels on each side (I have four wheels on my Whitehawk 23MRB.

[dxrobertson]

Originally Posted by travelingjw

I've seen people refer to taking the temperature of the wheel hub while traveling. A few questions.
1. I would think that you need to measure at the metal cap, not the plastic decoration cap on the hub.
2. What is an acceptable temperature of the hub.
3. Does it make any difference if you have two wheels on each side (I have four wheels on my Whitehawk 23MRB.

1. Best you can around the outer axle end/hub (where the outer bearings are). Same for backside (inner bearings). Its not that technical, if its hot- its hot and you will know it.

2. Hot to touch by hand. Do it a few times on a good set of bearings, you will get to know an OK warm feeling.

3. No difference on number of axles, A hot bearing is a hot bearing needing attention.


I have made it a habit to periodically at stops to wrap both hands around the outer axle end at/near the cap. Then reach around back inside and feel with 1 hand the axle about/around where the axle meets the brake plate.

[Marcm157]

Temps will vary widely by many factors like weather, ambient temps, sun side vs shade side etc.

What I look for is relatively close temps at each wheel hub. I use an infrared thermometer and take readings from various points at each hub.

[LuckyDuck]

I shoot the IR gun right about here — same place on each hub. But I first touch it here. If it’s too hot to hold my fingers on it, there’s a problem. IR temps will vary depending on ambient heat, sun exposure, braking etc but I’ve found they typically are within 10* or less of each other on the same side...unless there’s a problem.

[ttavasc]

Ignore the tire chains - this was the close-up of the wheel I have on hand. On my prior 195RB I just took off the decorative chrome cover and ran with the hub and dust cap exposed. I've not wanted to do that on the new camper so you can see where the red arrow is pointing. I aim my IR gun at an angle to get as close to the rear bearing as I can. I usually check the temps at every fuel stop on longer trips.

Under normal circumstances I have found that at that position it runs ~15-20 degrees hotter than the outside ambient temperature and all 4 hubs are within ~5 degrees of each other. In hotter weather if you are running with the sun hitting one side a majority of the time you can expect that side to be somewhat hotter than the shaded side. Uneven loading or even excessive crowning of the road can also make one side or one axle a bit hotter than the other.

[kirkelli]

i just do the feel test. They will get warm but if they are too hot to touch then i would be concerned. Also, when i plan to check them, i'll turn the trailer brakes off to avoid the brakes adding additional heat which can throw you off. Best to do this on a long stretch of highway when you are pulling in for fuel or a rest stop. Just preplan your stoping and watch other traffic around you.