BAC Forum
General Boards => Sources for Suppliers, Parts and Maintenance Materials => Topic started by: Tim Bentley Co-Admin on April 18, 2012, 10:39:42 PM
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We all know that a tire that is running hot can be a problem. I often check mine at rest stops with a laser temperature gun. If you spot one that is noticeably hotter than the rest, you need to pay special attention to it.
Found this on Amazon, its a great deal ($16.88) and it has good ratings.
HDE Temperature Gun Infrared Thermometer w/ Laser Sight
Use this link http://amzn.com/B009RUPQGW
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If all else fails, I got mine back in 2007 at Sears. It works pretty well.
Joel
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Some guy named Bentley gave me one of those Temperature guns for a present a few years back. It has many uses. Like checking the AC output vs intake, Breaks or wheel temperature, refrigerator temperature. Use your imagination. The price Tim listed is good, and $5 less is even better.
Larry
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What is the guidance on temperatures considered normal for our tires after driving the coach for a couple hours?
I have this laser, but had to pay $25 for it. ??)
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I don't think you have a laser. You might have an IR meter with a laser pointer.
I bought one. Mine is a Craftsman. I learned they do not measure actual temperature. The measure reflected energy and "translate" to degrees of temperature. Try putting a white plate and a black plate in the oven. Take them out and point the ray gun at them. The reflected temperature will be different because black reflects energy differently than black.
So, when it comes to tires, the idea is to look for differences. It makes no difference what energy my tires reflect to my IR thermometer. It matters only what yours is doing. As you walk around the coach, see if the tires and hubs match.
Perhaps the most interesting time to do this is after a long down hill run. If tire or wheel is significantly hotter than the rest, it is doing more than it's share of the work. If it is significantly colder, it is doing less than it should.
After you get used to the IR gun, try the same technique with your hand. The surprise to me was that, for relative differences, my hand works as well as the $50 meter. Apparently our hands are pretty well trained by using them to test for shower temperature each day!
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If you are going to use your hands, let me pass along a tip from back when I had to check aircraft for hot brakes after landing. Fire Chief taught us to use the back of our hands because it is more sensitive and the urge to grap is removed. The gun works better.
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If you are going to use your hands, let me pass along a tip from back when I had to check aircraft for hot brakes after landing. Fire Chief taught us to use the back of our hands because it is more sensitive and the urge to grap is removed. The gun works better.
My Flight Engineer didn't show me that.
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We also used a wax like stick that we would use on the brakes. If it melted, the brakes were hot.
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I wish Tim would reply to this post I've made because he posted that he routinely checks his tires in rest areas with his gizmo for determining temperature.
No one has answered my question. So I'm asking again and all I want to hear is from those who use this device to check their tires. What is the normal temperature from this device (whether it's accurate or not) to expect after driving the coach on highways, etc.?
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It all depends on the OUTSIDE temperature!!! Can vary by 60-70 degrees from winter to summer.
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How the hell do I know if my tires are too hot or not using this device? :-/
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All,
This thread seems (to me) to be an example of turning a simple procedure into a complicated one. Whether you use a laser or your hand, you are looking for a significant temperature difference (noticeably hotter). Unless you are extremely unlucky, it will only be one tire or wheel. The actual temperature of the remaining tires / wheels is not the critical parameter, assuming tires are inflated to normal PSI range.
Steve
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I use such a device, as mentioned in a prior response.
George is right, Richard. I think the question was answered. You want us to give you a set temperature to look for and there is no such animal. As Bill already explained, you use the unit to see if there is a tire running substantially hotter than the others, on both the coach and the toad.
The temp can vary across the surface of a tire and from one side of the vehicle to the other, if wind or sun are strong on one side for example. You measure generally the same area of each tire and a few degrees difference among tires is acceptable. An unusually large difference in temperature between one tire and the rest is indicative of dangerously low pressure that needs addressing before further travel.
Joel
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Richard,
I have been using one of these temp sensors for years. What you are looking for is consistency between tires. The specific temp will vary depending on weather conditions and not what you want to focus on. You usually have the sun on one side of the coach and shade on the other. In this situation the temp on the sunny side will be slightly higher but fairly consistent along that side. What you are looking for is one tire that is reading significantly higher that the rest on that side. You can have a few degrees difference on your duals between the inside and outside tire, especially in direct sun. Anything more than a few degres is indicating a developing problem.
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How the hell do I know if my tires are too hot or not using this device? :-/
Richard,
Next week I'll be driving to Quartzsite. I will try to remember to point the meter at the tires and give you a number.
Bill
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I'm sorry gentlemen. I am hard headed at times. You are right --- shoot the thing at all the tires and see which one(s) vary from the rest.
I'm an accountant and we don't think on the same side of the brain as those who understand mechanical things. ;D ;D
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Richard,
Next week I'll be driving to Quartzsite. I will try to remember to point the meter at the tires and give you a number.
Bill
Oops! I can't find my meter. I may have loaned it out. If I did, it was so long ago I don't have a clue who it may have been!
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Just program your TPMS for 137 and if the alarm never goes off, you're good. Personally, I've never paid any attention to the temps on my car tires nor do I on the MH. If the pressure is up the temps will be good. Pressure is the key.
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Gentlemen, I have spent over 25 years in the trucking industry and sat on numerous miantenence councils on the ATA. I have never been exposed to anyone in the industry that tests tire temperatures. Trucks run a 100,000 miles per year and haul 80,000 pounds. I for one will not concern myself with tire temperatures outside of touching the tires on occasion.
Having said that I know others feel otherwise and if you do test away. But keep in mind to do accurately you will have to know what position the sun is in what surface temp the road has and what lane you drive in. All,of these factors can effect your temperature readings.
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I usually allow for ambient conditions when using my sensor, including the sun and shade, etc. What I'm looking for is one tire with a significantly different temp. from the rest, which may be a clue that it has low pressure for some reason. The sensor is easy to use use, so in a few minutes I can walk the perimeter and ease my mind, or find an issue that needs more attention - out comes the tire gauge, and further inspection and tests upon complete cool down.
Given the number of "alligators" along our roadsides, I'd say more in the trucking industry should be using more reliable methods, whether bare hands, tire thumping rods, or heat sensors, to check their tires.
Joel
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The gators are the result of using poorly made recaps. Not new tires.
Again, if folks feel the need by all means temp test. I was just trying to put some who read these posts minds at ease.
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I had a low tire blow on a travel trailer many years ago. I touch the remaining shreds and they were pretty hot to the touch. I can not say it was low pressure but after that, I check the tires by hand. It they are warm enough to comfortable touch then I assume they are OK. If they are hot, which knock on wood they have never been, I would guess I'd have to have a cup of joe and think about the issue and wait till the tire cools a bit to check the pressure. I guess this thread is making a great aurgement for auto tire sensor systems...
@ Tom, would overspeed recaps make gators too? And are the truckers I see hitting the tires checking for an underinflated tire, I sure see a lot of them doing it in the truck stops on their walk arounds. And while I hopfully have your expertise, what did or would, you look at when you walked around your rig? I ask just to be educated...
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Hitting the tires checks for under-inflation. Under-inflation causes high temps as the belts start to flex and rub across each other. A properly (or even an overly) inflated tire for the load will not overheat unless something else is going horribly awry inside the belts which is why most good TPMS systems have that function. On the other hand, if you don't have a TPMS checking the temps may alert you to an under-inflation condition.
I know a lot of folks so check temp but no one has every mentioned that they found a "hot" tire. I'll use the back of my hand on the wheel which can warn of a dragging brake or a bearing problem but have never found anything so it's just in my "feel good" wheelhouse.
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Sean, my walk around includes using a tire knocker to detect a low tire. I touch them as well to check for excessive heat. I also check toad connections and proper settings in the toad. I scan underneath the engine compartment for obvious leaks and make sure the belt is still on. I check the compartment doors as I make my way around as well. Finally I get the DW to operate all lights especially the brake lights on coach and toad to make sure they are functioning.
I also before I move the coach I give a light toot on the horn to make sure no one has approached from blind spots before I release the brakes. Then I grab a beer and drive on! (Ha,ha)
Nothing too glamorous just want to make sure everything is aired up and closed before I depart. I do this at every stop even if I have been there only a few minutes.
As far as overspeed causing gators it's hard to say. They are required to cap ties with like rubber. I guess not all do. Most of the gators are from poor prep on the casing or taking the tire out of the oven before its cured. Or just plain poor quality.
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I personally like tire equalizers for the rear tires. Excessive heat can be the result of one tire being more inflated than the other causing more load on the tire with more air. It also when inflated to the correct pressure will give you a slight increase in fuel economy. Not to mention you have only one air fitting to inflate both tires. And yes there are check valves that prevent both tires from going flat.
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Tom brings up a point that I realized after I got my sensor "gun". It's only useful within a short while of pulling off the highway. The tire-thumping technique will find aberrant tires whether warm or cold.
Joel
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Thanks Tom for your post. I do the same basically. I check the tires by hand, but will add a thumper as well, I do look for obvious leaks and disconnects on the toad, run the toad as required by manufacturer, and any open compartments. I then depart for the intended stop purpose (read nature break for me and the dog )
I can't recall if I ever shared here before, but when we had our old rig we stopped so the DW could look, (HA), around a shopping outlet mall in Texas. I elected to catch a nap in the RV. Before I could settle into sleep, the dog began barking and I saw a head pass by the dinette window heading to the back of the rig. I had parked as the mallsecurity weenie wanted, by the outside edge of the back of the parking area. I initally thought the guy was going to take a leak on my tires so I popped out to chase him off. I heard a whistle as I stepped out the door and looked in that direction to see a doo rag wearin fellow look right at me then the back of my rig. Not thinking I went to the back to see what was going on, was halfway there when the first guy stepped out from behind my toad in a casual walk and never looked back. When I looked for Mr Doo Rag, he was gone too. I looked at the toad doors and it was still locked and check and all the compartment doors were locked and not tampered with that I could tell so I returned to calm down the barking dog. An hour later the wife returned and we left. I stopped at Sam's club a few blocks away to top off. While there I did a walk around and noticed that the brake emergency clip was on the ground as was the electrical conncetor for the lights, the driver side pin was partly removed and the safety cable D ring was opened on the driver side only... Those two were about to steal the toad.
It never dawned on me that I should have checked for the toad but with the key needing to be in to tow, we all forget to remove it when we stop for lunch or whatever. The other thing that sticks with me is that I should have not left the RV without calling the security or police. I also should have grabbed my defensive tool as well, I do since then.
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STEALING YOUR TOAD??
Anyone would be hard pressed to steal my "toad" as I have two sets of keys and lock the doors with the ignition key inside the car. Also have locks on the "hitch pins" so even if they got in the car somehow, they would never go anywhere.
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Leah that is what I use to do, lock the toad with the keys in it... but not any more. Getting into a car for a thief takes seconds for a good one. A car with keys means idf they get stopped they don't have to explain why the ignition is ripped out. But I hope with all the bait cars the police are using, keys in the ignition will be a warning sign...
As for the locks on the hitch pins... Not something I want to do. I now just take the keys out when we are going to be away from the rig for any length of time.
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But a few more minutes with you napping or whatever, and your boys woulda had your toad, Sean. The never-used locks that came with my Roadmaster hitch kit wouldn't take but a few seconds to put in place, discouraging thieves that might notice keys in the ignition, locked door or not. Breaking into the car is one thing, but taking umpteen minutes more to bust off a hitch lock or two might be incentive to pass on by. Removing my keys while parked is one option, but forgetting to put them back again and reset my neutral tow kit before driving off...hmm. Probably wouldn't happen since I do a walk-around as routine before camp departure; but in some other non-camp circumstances (like an en-route restaurant stop) I might not.
Reckon I might put my locks into service from now on, rather than continue my lazy habit of ignoring the threat. Kinda dumb anyway... I have locks in place at the motorhome end of the hitch, and leave the car end undefended.
Joel
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When leaving the coach with the toad attached, I remove the keys, lock it and put a clothes-pin on the coach driver's seat to remind myself to prep the toad before taking off again in the RV.
Simple but it works (so far).
Steve
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I hear ya Joel..
It was once, parked in an area I would have normally avoided, but it happened. Taking the keys isn't a problem with the Honda. I go thru the towing start up, shift the gears, and leave it running while I do the departure walk around anyway. It is the only pain about the Honda, every 200 miles it should be done...
Besides, taking the keys equalizes the threat of theft. If a thief wants it, they will take it. The insurance covers it and it is over 160K rolling miles... Maybe I should leave the keys in it....
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On my Jeep vehicles, they need a key with a chip in them to run the engine, no chip in key, engine quits in about 10 seconds. I use a key with no chip in it to unlock the steering to tow. I will not lock my toad to the MoHo in any form or fashion! If my coach becomes disabled or catches fire I want to disconnect in a hurry and not have to fool around with keys and locks. My hitch pin is a quick release type and so are my safety cables. My wife and I can disconnect the two in about 10 seconds. Just my way of doing things.
Marty