A Question ...

[flyfisherman]

This has to do with wheel bearings and maybe even tires -

I have a little '99 Starcraft 1706 that I bought new; it has the 12" tires. And I've really covered some road with the little bugger. In fact, have bought new tires for it almost every year. One year had to go through some medical stuff so could not hit the road as I would have liked to so no new tires that year. Have also replaced bearings in both hubs.

Just got back from a "tour" of the Smoky Mountains - there's a crew of us who like to fish different rivers and streams and so we do some traveling. Plus getting to the mountains from where I live is a 300 mile trip. And while this is on my mind thought I'd post it as I'll forget about it later!

So here's the question ... since this camper was new I've noticed that the curb side (passenger side?) wheel hub and tire are always a little warmer than the roadside (driver's side) hub & wheel. Everytime we make a rest stop or a gas stop (or for whatever), I've made a habit of "checking things" ... the hitch & chains, touch the hubs and tires to make sure they are NOT HOT. Usually they are warm to the touch but always note the one side is a little warmer than the other. Same grease, same tire pressure, but have always wondered why the one side is a tad warmer. Thought maybe it might just be me but have had others go through the touchy/feely routine and they say the same thing. Any speculations as to why ...?  TIA


Fly

[AustinBoston]

So here's the question ... since this camper was new I've noticed that the curb side (passenger side?) wheel hub and tire are always a little warmer than the roadside (driver's side) hub & wheel. Everytime we make a rest stop or a gas stop (or for whatever), I've made a habit of "checking things" ... the hitch & chains, touch the hubs and tires to make sure they are NOT HOT. Usually they are warm to the touch but always note the one side is a little warmer than the other. Same grease, same tire pressure, but have always wondered why the one side is a tad warmer. Thought maybe it might just be me but have had others go through the touchy/feely routine and they say the same thing. Any speculations as to why ...?

Do you only drive northbound in the morning and southbound in the afternoon?  That would make the sun only shine on the passenger side of the trailer.

Does the trailer have brakes?  Do those brakes pull slighty to one side?  If the passenger side brakes are tighter than the driver's side, they might heat more when stopping (making things hotter just before you check them, but not normally).


Austin

[Recumbentman]

another thought !!!
Do you have more weight on that side ??  :U

[wavery]

Another thought.....do you make more left turns than right turns.....Just kidding.

My guess is that Austin may be right (I hate that :p ). Just a slight difference in brake adjustment or magnet power or brake drum/shoe thickness could make a difference in wheel temp.

As long as one side doesn't get hot to the touch, I wouldn't worry about it. You may be over analyzing things just a tad :p . Keep doing your inspections, they're important (to all of us) and a message to us all to be as diligent as you are. However.........you've gotta learn to relax more... :J

BTW.....The weight theory could be valid too

[flyfisherman]

Thanks for the input, guys ...


No brakes on this 8' model, so can't be coming from that direction.

Try to balance the load on each side ... saying that don't necessarily make it so, but try to anyway!


Fly

[wavery]

Thanks for the input, guys ...


No brakes on this 8' model, so can't be coming from that direction.

Try to balance the load on each side ... saying that don't necessarily make it so, but try to anyway!


Fly

HMMMMMMMMMMMM!! No brakes huh. :rolleyes:

Well, there are only a few things that will cause heat. Sunlight is one of them. Friction is the most obvious.

Here are your options, as I see it.

Tires.....different makes, different pressure or alignment.

Weight distribution.

Wheel bearing adjustment (not likely).

Driving around in circles to the left.

Aliens :yikes:

[tlhdoc]

Do you always feel the warmer side first?  Could the other side cool just a little in the time it take you to walk around the camper?:confused:

[flyfisherman]

Do you always feel the warmer side first?  Could the other side cool just a little in the time it take you to walk around the camper?:confused:

Usually ...(remember I said USUALLY) ... I'll get out of the truck and start my check-up from driver's side, so it is the roadside (the cool side) I'll touchy-feely first.


Wavery ~ always same brand of tires, which have been Carlisle or RoadMaster, replaced at the same time ... same results.

Maybe "aliens"very well might be the cause!



Fly