RE: Running Temp on bearings?

[Civil_War_Buff]

 I was looking at a website that was created by a guy who used to be here (may still be), 2manytoyz (sp?), but he was discussing the wheel bearing ordeal that  he had when he first got his Destiny.  I thought it would be a great addition to my tool kit for travelling to include an infrared thermometer to measure tire and hub temp on a regular basis.  I looked on the web and found this http://www.professionalequipment.com/xq/ASP/ProductID.287/id.22/qx/default.htm I can t wait to see and track my hub temp while towing the trailer.
 
 Does anyone else do this?  If so, while travelling, what sort of temps are you finding?  I think that keeping track of the hub/tire temps is a great idea.
 
 Happy Campin  <><

[AustinBoston]

 Civil_War_Buff
I stick my hand on the hub and expect it to be warm[&:], but not too hot to handle[:@].  That s my high tech solution.  []
 
 Generally, when I am checking the bearing temp, we ve just stopped from highway speed, so the brakes will be quite warm as well.  My assumption is that as long as I check as soon as we stop, then the brake heat hasn t had a chance to conduct to the bearings, and feeling the hubs will tell me if the brearings are hot.
 
 I check the tire temp at the same time.
 
 Austin

[Civil_War_Buff]

 AustinBoston
Austin,
 
 Thanks for the input, yeah I agree that checking them just after freeway speeds is the best.  I was figuring that I would check them at fuel stops, and any other times that would give me running temp info.
 
 I believe that using the thermometer might be overkill, but I think it will give me an indication of more subtle changes in temp, even though fluxuations are expected.
 
 Thanks again,
 
 Happy Campin  <><

[tlhdoc]

 Civil_War_Buff
I do the same as Austin.  I check with my hand when we stop.  It would be interesting to know what the temps are though.[]

[Ab Diver]

 Civil_War_Buff
I ve always gone by ol  Granddad s test: 5-7 seconds firm hand pressure on the hub. If I can t hold my hand there that long, it s too hot. Got no idea where that is on the Kelvin scale, though.  
 
 If you ve got a bearing problem, they will probably heat up in the first couple miles. If you can tow it without having to use your brakes for a period of time, and it s safe to do so, try this: After you ve driven for a couple miles, turn the brake controller all the way to zero, and stop the trailer using the tow rig s brakes. You ll get an accurate bearing temp measurement that is not higher due to brake heat.
 

[mike4947]

 Civil_War_Buff
In just about 40 years of trailer towing (God, I m getting old!) I ve yet to see a trailer bearing fail except from the following causes. 1st and largest reason, lack of maintenance, 2nd improper maintenance (ie, overtightening the castle nut or over filling the bearing cavity, not replacing grease seals, 3rd and this doesn t apply to us unless you re launching your canoes or inflatables right from the PU roof into the lake, waterlogged bearings which leads to rust and/or lose of grease. And last 4th but not least having incorrect tire pressure, as little as ten pounds to low generates enough heat to turn that grease into either a substance you have to jack hammer out or a liquid that runs out. Either way the bearings gonna fail, sometimes before the tire and sometimes after you ve replaced the blown tire.
 This means any kind of RV towable, from a Home Depot 4 footer with a tent and Coleman stove with a cooler strapped on, to those 55 footer 5th wheels with triple axles.
 
 And I ve never seen a properly maintained axle bearing with yearly correct maintenance and tires that are check for correct pressure ever fail.

[Turn Key]

 Civil_War_Buff
Like AB, I just touch the hubs when we stop for a break or gas.  They shouldn t be more then warm.  If you have brakes and have had to use them a bit much to get stopped, the hubs may be a bit warmer but still should not be hot to the touch.

[jackgoesthepopup]

 Civil_War_Buff
Guys I work in a power plant. And believe me I have seen all types of bearings. I repack my wheel bearings every spring. I use a brake dust clearer to remove all of the old grease.  i do this so i can take a look at the rollors in the bearings for any signs of heat problems. If the bearings are blue they have gotten to hot and  replace them. i prefer to repack the bearings by hand. I think i can get a better fill on the bearing this way. i use a a synthec grease that is rated to 1400 degrees. But the 2 most important things you can do is to replace the seal and not overtighten the bearing when you put it back together. Using a tempature prob is nice but i just feal them when i check them. I check them at the first time i stop and this may sound stupid but i don t check them again till after we break up camp and at the first stop on the way home. After that i don t even worry about the bearings. I was pulling my Kids flatbed trailer once after we repacked the bearings and he drove me nuts worrying about the bearings. Wanting to check them all the time. Check them if you feal you have to but don t let them worry you to much.