Tire Temperature

[johns4104s]

dg,

I have Bridgestone tyres OLD CHAP and I will be starting out at 100 pressure from on.

During my time in the refineries I had to use the temp guns to check 100 to 300 degrees f. I can assure you they are not that accurate, especially when the batteries get older.

They are a great fast easy way to get a rough idea but Jim is right advising us to check the temps with your hand.

John

[buswarrior]

I would suggest that an IR gun is amongst the most important diagnostic tools you might own.
(also included, a decent multi-meter, a hammer, thoughtful cold beverages ...)

Good rule of thumb for a bus conversion: Stuff that fails, gets hot on its way to failure. Stuff that isn't working that should be, will show cold.

Tires, bearings, brakes, radiators, engines, alternators, transmissions, electrical connections, batteries...

How is your heating/air conditioning performing?

Zone in your dash temp gauge, under load, going up the mountain, with a partner shooting the water pipes exiting the back of the block, through the floor access panels down the back (MCI, and thank you daughter Bre!)

Are the refrigerator or freezer temps set where you want them?  under 40 for the fridge, over that, maybe that is why the milk doesn't last... Does the freezer need to be way down there, or a little higher for economy?

There is a peace of mind to pulling into a stop, put on the parking brake, quickly walk around the coach , keeping your hands clean, shoot the tires, the axle hubs, the brake drums, and the rads, IR gun back under the seat, shut it down and walk away.

Regarding the brake drums, where the heat is, is where you are doing your stopping. Where it isn't, you aren't.

I love my IR gun, and I don't like going coaching, trucking or trailering with a vehicle that I have to pay to get fixed without one now.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[gus]

Checking the temps cold doesn't accomplish much.

The main thing you are looking for is temp differences on the same side if sunny and on the same axle if not sunny. Differences are the key.

Actual temps don't mean much because of so many variables.

Check them after an hour or so running. Check all tires at the same point on each tire.

The sunny side will always be hotter, as already said. Pretty logical there!!

The rears will be hotter than the front because they absorb heat from the differential and engine.

The outside dual will we hotter than the inside (Maybe) on the sunny side but the inside will probably be hotter on the shady side because it is closer to the axle and differential.

If the brakes have been used heavily these thumb rules may not apply.

I also check my wheel hub temps for bearing problems.