Using IR Thermometer to Check Tire Temp (Motorhome)

I bought one for the same purpose. Messed with it on one trip and now it is hanging on the wall in the barn.

I am back to feeling each hub on a walk around and making sure they all feel the same temp. I personally prefer that method to the more scientific one.

When I first started checking tire temps, I found the right rear tire on my F-150 ran 10-15 degrees hotter than the other tires on that side - truck RF and both trailer tires.

I mentioned it one day to the fellow changing the oil - he called me over and pointed to the muffler mounted about 6 inches from that tire. "I'd say that's the cause of the higher temps."

Thanks to all who replied about the IR thermometer. The information is very helpful.

Weather permitting, I'm gonna try to pick one up tomorrow.

restlesswind wrote:
Sunny side will just about always be hotter than shade side.

Not always true. I ran from Phoenix to Palm Springs on a hot sunny day with 40MPH winds out of the South, and North shaded side tires were hotter than the sunny South side tires.

Chris

C Schomer wrote:
Here's what I've noticed... I've been using TPMS for a few trips and the temps have been consistent so I'm comfortable with that. I've been watching the PSI like a hawk cuz my STs are about 2 1/2 yrs old and I think psi might be a quicker sign. I've had 2 ST failures, before I had the monitors, and they started with a leak between the inner cords and the pressure blew the tread off of one and the sidewall out of the other. The tiny leaks between the cord were easy to spot after the rubber blew off over those leaks. I'm sure temp and psi are both important, tho. Craig

Why not be proactive and install higher quality tires now? Your chances of catching a failing tire just before it fails are slim to none!

Chris

Besides the uses mentioned, I use mine to check frig door seals, door & window seals.

DICK

Here's what I've noticed... I've been using TPMS for a few trips and the temps have been consistent so I'm comfortable with that. I've been watching the PSI like a hawk cuz my STs are about 2 1/2 yrs old and I think psi might be a quicker sign. I've had 2 ST failures, before I had the monitors, and they started with a leak between the inner cords and the pressure blew the tread off of one and the sidewall out of the other. The tiny leaks between the cord were easy to spot after the rubber blew off over those leaks. I'm sure temp and psi are both important, tho. Craig

To OP question of...(safe is below 175f)?

1) OP... I had tire temps of over 200 (208 to be exact). Very hot day (2nd hottest of last summer) and my tires are about maxed out load wise (run almost max gvw all the time). But all tire were within 10% of each other(temp wise). And found out when I got home and looked up tire temps and what the average should be. Not unusual for temps that high. And each tire has it's own temp range due to road, tread, load, outside temps, etc.

2) Also good time when checking tire temps to look at tires for bulges, shinners (nail or bolt heads in tread) Check audible leaks, being your right at the tire? Valve stem still centered? See any new shinny metal at lug nuts? (equals loose lug nut)

3) (pit stops-rest areas, truck stops) Also good time to check out if any low lifes are making their way over to you to beg or put you in any type of danger. Or if somebody just needs a battery jump to get going again.

4) (Pit stops-rest areas)Also good idea to see if you have cell coverage or not prior to stopping or atleast know where you are if case you need to make a call, you can tell somebody where exactly where you are.

OH man you have to get a temp gun...so much fun. Check tires and dutch oven temps and see if your trans temp gauge is actually right and be able to show wife it is not to cold. "Look Honey, just right 72 degrees" And if in trailer, check bearing temps.

Almost forgot handy for laser tag with cat. And somebody last weak said they found a way to check the level of propane in tank using a temp gun. (I tried it but not so much luck for me)

My $20.00 temp gun on sale from Harbor Freight has served me well.

(Just had to put my 2 cents in..my latest play toy)

We use a Ryobi from Home Depot. Check our side walls and hubs at every stop including the truck. Found a bad front brake caliper on my truck using this. Great tool.

For comparisons check the temps at same distance.....the farther away the wider the beam and the less accurate the reading.

I aim between the tire threads...three spots (inner/center/outer)
I aim at front center of drum (leading shoe)
I aim at the transition on hub to drum and 2" back from end of hub (bearings)
I aim at rotors (on truck) just below the calibers
All measurements are taken at 8" distance

All sunny side readings should be higher than shady side readings
I look for differences between readings on same side