Rim temp. after towing??

[blackflamevt]

Well got to take the camper out for the first trip Got a question, how hot/warm should the rims/hub cover get? I checked them when we stopped and they were pretty warm. The trip was only about 1/2 hour or so but little hilly. I just never had a trailer with brakes before and want to make sure the temp. was ok. I do have new bearings in there also, i will be jacking it up to check them just to make sure they are not too tight. (didn't think they were when i installed them)
ps where should i post pics and about my trip?
Thanks
Steve

[Sunline Fan]

I know others have actual temp readings from a temp gun, but I don't have one, so I don't have those numbers.

Unless you were using your brakes a lot (like going down some mountains), you should be able to quickly touch the wheels without getting burnt.

I know, that's really specific...

In other words, it really shouldn't be much warmer than your tow vehicle's wheels.

[mainah]

I would think your tires made more heat then the bearings they of course heated the rims. If you did a lot of down hill with an automatic trans you probably used the brakes a good bit also.

[Gene]

I use a heat gun from Harbor Freight on 2 recent trips this year. I checked it both times about 2 hours from home at the first iced coffee stop. The temp at the black hubs was 93 to 96 and on the tread I got about 110. All 4 tires/hubs were about the same, air temp was about 85. I didn't measure the rims. Nothing felt hot to the touch, only a bit warm.

[blackflamevt]

I wonder if i have my brake controller set right? I know the trailer could use new brakes. I'm running the P-3 controller and it's set at 8.5 i think. The rims were very warm, i could touch them and one side did seem alittle warmer, almost hot. I'm not to concerned this year, no long trips planned. just wanted some info from you guys.
Thanks
Steve in Ct

[Steve Collins]

When was the last time you adjusted the brakes? That may be a factor and it may not.

[blackflamevt]

I checked them when i did my bearings, plus i have no slot in the back to adjust... i wounder if i just have my controller set to high and the brakes are working to hard? But i do know the magnet is worn, just didn't want to do the brakes this year.
Steve in Ct

[mainah]

The adjuster slot is covered with a plastic plug. Go slow and apply the brake controller by hand and see if they will lock up if they do back up your controller a bit and try it again you'll want them just on the edge of locking when the controller is manually operated at the max setting.

[blackflamevt]

Originally Posted by mainah

The adjuster slot is covered with a plastic plug. Go slow and apply the brake controller by hand and see if they will lock up if they do back up your controller a bit and try it again you'll want them just on the edge of locking when the controller is manually operated at the max setting.

I have no rubber plug, it has a steel plug that i tried to "tap" out, but did not pop out. When i tried to set the controller it said to go 25mph which i only went like 15-20 and use the hand controll to get them to lock up, never did lock up. I wasn't sure how high i should have went with the controller, so i stopped at 8-9. I think i'll take the campper out without the cotroller to see what temps the rims get and go from there?
thanks
Steve in Ct

[mainah]

OK if it's steel you got to wack it pretty good then put a plastic plug back in. It will fall in the drum (inside). If you can't get them to lock up some thing is amiss. Try your emergency switch (the thing with the small cable on it) pull it out and see if you can move it that should lock the wheels up.