www.iFourWinns.com

We do a lot of trailering and my load is quite large.


With 6 tires I have a tendency to be a bit anal about them. What I've done is purchased a IR thermometer from Radio Shack some time back (about $30). I use the Ir Therm to keep a check on the tires and hubs when I trailer. Everytime we stop, I talk the trailer and shoot the temps of my hubs and the sidewall of each tire.

I know what my trailer tires run when properly inflated, I know what temp my hubs run when properly lubbed. I also know what my hubs with brakes run (it's all of them now with the new trailer) when they are functioning properly and not binding.

It's easy for me to spot a tire that is a little low because it's out of the norm and warmer than the others, especially the one on the other side of the axle. The same holds true of my hubs. I see a hub running warmer than it's brothers, it gets checked. The last time, one did I had a outer bearing begining to fail. Several of the rollers were severely pitted and I'm sure within a couple of more trips would have left me stranded.

It's just a technique I've found to be very helpful in preventing me from doing trailer repairs and fix a flats on the roadside.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

I do the same thing. I keep a note in my Palm Pilot so I can compare current readings to what they've been in the past under summer and fall conditions, etc.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Good tip but how do you tell the differance between an increase in hub temp from a bearing vs more brakeing or harder brakeing causing the increase in temp?

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Scott Wood
1999 238 Vista
Trailer Boating on the Great Lakes

The hub opposite should be in the same temp range. If one is significantly higher than the other I make note and investigate. Plus, with two or more axles with brakes, they should all be similar with perhaps the lead axle being the warmest.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

Yeah you're really checking to be sure both hubs on each axle are about the same. Often I find that when I check them, one side has been in direct sun for a long period of time while the other side has been in the shade of the boat & fender, which accounts for at least a 10 degree difference. Otherwise mine are normally within 2-5 degrees of each other (on the same axle) so it wouldn't take much change for me to notice it.

I also have a complete spare hub, with bearings & seal already installed, which I take along on long trips. Of course, there's always the risk that a hub problem could destroy the spindle before the problem was detected.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I like the idea of the spare hub.

Are you guys running disc or drum brakes?

I have always checked my temps with my arm and fingers. I lean my arm against the tire while I touch the hub with my fingers. Rear axle on mine is the braking axle and is always warmer. Works but I like the IR readout idea better, may have to pick one up.

Thx

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Scott Wood
1999 238 Vista
Trailer Boating on the Great Lakes

i bought this one from radio shack for $49 plus batttery cost....
now my son can check his ice cream temp too.

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2005 Funship 214 5.0GXi/DP | 2006 Yamaha FJR1300

I do the same thing with an IR gun. I also use it to monitor exhaust riser temps over time. The difference is I am probably not as anal about it as you are John ---- (your words not mine -- LOL)

I will be towing 14 hours each way in two weeks -- so I do need to find out where that IR gun is carefully stored -- well stashed away maybe -- hidden ??--- ok, LOST in my garage.

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DaleG -- West Palm Beach FL
2003 240Horizon -- 5.7Gi -Duoprop

Huh? Interesting dialect.

I use an IR temp gun from harbor freight as well plus the touch test. I have brakes on all 6 wheels. They have never got past the the warm to the touch feel. If they get hot I'll know there's a problem unless others are the same and I had recent hard long brake. I try and stop at least once midway on a 4 hour trip and check right away.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

There are 3 or 4 spammers that have slipped through, as well as a new member from Miami (alledgedly) that have been dragging up 2 to 5 year old threads lately. Most people have not even noticed it. A good topic nonetheless, that is if you have a trailer.....

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

This^^^^

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

Ditto on the it gun....just picked one up....I found that the hottest part of the engine was the part of the manifold where the thermometer housing bolts...about 155...the top of the housing...110-120....risers....115 at idle.....135 after running on plane. I have not checked hubs or brakes yet...but will the next time I trailer.....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Ugh...I have...

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Did you say something?

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic