INFRARED THERMOMETER CHECKS

I did a spot check on my Ford Edge that I was towing behind my motorhome down a steep hill, pretty much riding the brakes lightly in the RV, while the Edge brakes where on a long time (say 3-8 minutes while going down the hill at 45 MPH). I wanted to figure out if I had the brake controller set to firm, or not.

At the bottom of the hill was a rest area, and the brakes where around 150F on a 70F afternoon. I was happy with the results, because cold brakes would indicate that the pressure was to light, and really hot brakes would indicate a need to reduce the pressure.

Happy Camping!

Fred.

I don't bother anymore. Use to, but not anymore. I didn't even take my gun on vacation this year.

Use to gun 100's of tires when racing to get the setup correct.

I just make sure my bearing are packed correctly and off I go. Never had a brake drag and I challenge anybody to tell if a tire is about to fail by gunning it. If they can, they are a better man than me.
Anyway, if it makes anybody safer, gun away! :)

I shoot between the tire threads....same place same distance.
I shoot the hub right where it makes transition from hub to drum....same distance
I shoot drum face....forward section same distance

I am looking for differences in temps..same place same distance same side

How do the infrared thermometer checks compare / correlate with the temperature readings from TPMS monitors?

I can see the infrared readings differentiating bearing vs tread temps (once stopped). If bearings are going bad, will the TPMS monitor pick up an elevated temperature prior to self-destruction of the bearing?

To that extent, I use the primitive "hand on center of hub" method to pick up on general comparisons from one wheel to another while stopped and a TST 507 TPMS while motoring down the road.

I just had to have one of those IR guns.

After one trip it now sits on the shelf in the barn.

I just do like Tom and it works for me.

TomHaycraft wrote:
How do the infrared thermometer checks compare / correlate with the temperature readings from TPMS monitors?

I can see the infrared readings differentiating bearing vs tread temps (once stopped). If bearings are going bad, will the TPMS monitor pick up an elevated temperature prior to self-destruction of the bearing?

To that extent, I use the primitive "hand on center of hub" method to pick up on general comparisons from one wheel to another while stopped and a TST 507 TPMS while motoring down the road.

I admit to not being familiar with TPMS, yet I think that that may be the way to go.
The quick dashboard readout is certainly appealing, yet, I wonder if it can tell me about the information listed below ?
>
Tire tread = If it’s hot, a tread may be about is about to blister and separate. A close inspection is in order.

Tire sidewall= If it’s hot, the sidewall is flexing and the tire is probably low.

Brake drum= If it’s hot, there may be a brake shoe dragging.

Bearing hub= If it’s hot, the bearing is wearing and likely needs immediate replacement.
>
Our dually and fiver have 10 tires like most I expect. Will most TPMS give information for 10 tires ?