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Bill_Diana's avatar
Bill_Diana
Explorer
Sep 18, 2016

Tires...How hot is too hot?

Driving south on I95 in North Carolina and the outside temperature is in the mid 80's & sunny. When we stopped at a rest area I used an infra red thermometer to measure the temperature of the motorhome & car tires.

The car tires ranged from 95 to 105 degrees. The tires on the sunny side were hotter than the shady side.

The motorhome tires ranged from 105 to 115 degrees. Like the car the sunny side tires were hotter than the shady side.

We all know that under inflated over weighted tires will run hot. My question is how hot is too hot?

Should a 115 degree temperature cause me to be concerned? What temperature should start me to be concerned?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments.

Bill

10 Replies

  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2016
    Lukeville, AZ 10 August 2010

    Air temp 122F - 40c

    Asphalt temp 181F

    Because of that incredible temperature I slowed da toad to 35 mph. I saw other vehicles also driving slow. Locals I guess in-the-know
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer III
    Sep 18, 2016
    My TST 507 system defaults to an alarm temp of 158 degrees F. It alarmed coming home from a trip one time! Turned out my brake on that tire was dragging, and the wheel was SMOKING when I stopped to check it.

    Ford replaced the brake caliper on that wheel.
  • Jay_Pat's avatar
    Jay_Pat
    Explorer
    Sep 18, 2016
    I read somewhere (in a trucking publication) a number of years ago that the compounds in a tire, will start to break down around 180 degrees.
    I don't have a clue if that is accurate today or not....

    I ran new china bombs across I-10 last summer (4 day trip) with daily temps from 110 degrees in CA/AZ down to 105 coming across NM and TX. Never did think to check the tire thread temps.

    Ran the tires this past summer In TX. NM and CO. Wasn't as hot.
    No problems.
    I don't think I'll run them next summer......Luck, may run out.
    Pat
  • AH64ID's avatar
    AH64ID
    Explorer
    Sep 18, 2016
    Something I have noticed is that my LRG 19.5" tires run noticeably hotter than LRE tires. My theory is that it's due to the lower volume of air for their size. But that's just a theory.

    Even empty with the min pressure of 70 psi and lightly loaded they warm up more than I would expect.
  • Bill_Diana's avatar
    Bill_Diana
    Explorer
    Sep 18, 2016
    Ivylog wrote:
    Here's one of many on this subject.
    Would help to know where you are temping the tires.


    Thanks ivylog....I read the thread you suggested. I was able to glean useful information. Based on what I read I should be pleased with the temperature readings that I'm getting. I do get the motorhome and toad weighed and adjust tire pressure according to the tables in hope this will circumvent tire problems.

    Thanks to all for your comments.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Sep 18, 2016
    As long as all your tires are relatively the same temperature, you are Okay.

    If one tire is considerably hotter than the rest, that's when you have a problem and need to find out why it's so hot.

    The sunny side tires will naturally be hotter.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Sep 18, 2016
    I've measured 130*F plus on tires with air temps 100*F + (asphalt ????)

    If tires on same side are close in temps then no issue

    As noticed sunny side runs hotter then shaded side

    BUT if a tire on same side is running hotter than tire on same side and tem spread continues then you have an issue

    I look for 'trends' vs actual temps

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