Anyone using an infrared thermometer to check hub temperature?

[MonacoMike]

I am trying to get baseline temps so I know if the bearings need to be repacked. Is this logical? Any baselines you have? My tandem runs 96 degrees on the open axel and 125 degrees on the braking axel. Haven't checked the big tri-ax yet. MM

 

[OldSkool]

Can't tell you the temp range for your trailer hubs as many things factor in. Brake axle should run a bit warmer for obvious reasons. Thermo gun is definitely the way to go to monitor the hubs. It would make sense to repack the hubs, check the cold temp against the hot and use that for your base line. It's not a bad thing to pull the hubs to check them. Then you know for sure what your base line is.

Sorry Mike, it's the best I can offer.

Bill

 

[MonacoMike]

I have always used the touch method. (If you can't leave your hand on the hub it's time to service). This way I don't get greasy hands and have more accuracy. MM

 

[firecadet613]

110 or so on the non brake axle, 160 on the brake axle. This was just Saturday at the Paynestown ramp after going down the steep decline to the ramp.

 

[Bob & Sue]

We don't trailer our boat but I have hauled many dual and tri axle trailers with funny cars and fuel dragsters we always ( most of the time ) checked the temp while gassing up the tow rig in 90 deg weather non brake axle's would usually run around 115 to 125 after 300 to 400 miles straight driving brake axle would usually run about 10 degrees hotter in 50 deg weather they would run about 100 to 110. When we did loose a bearing we'd see it in the mirror smoking I never had one burn up to the point of fire but a couple people I know have had their trailer and race cars burned to the ground we would usually pack the bearings about every 1500 miles if we had the time. We were hauling around about 15,000 lbs with race car, spare engines and parts.

 

[MonacoMike]

Seems I'm running in the normal range. MM

 

[Prater]

I trailered a few hours a week ago. My trailer without the boat ran 120 degrees. On the way home with the boat the hubs ran just under 140 degrees. It was a three hour trip on the way back with a tow up a gradual grade accross the Arbuckle "Mountains". Took a break on the other side and checked the hubs again. Still under 140.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

I use my IR gun on every trip and your range sounds good. mine were running in the high 140's to 150's and decided to change out the races and bearings on all 6 wheels. Now they run between 90's and 115* depending on the day and how warm it is.