I was always told tighten the nut then back it off 1/2 turn. When you tighten it up it seats the bearings and backing it up 1/2 turn is enough so the bearings will not bind and over heat....

 

Ok, well I was under pressure with all of this since we had a family trip scheduled this weekend (leaving Friday late afternoon) and it included the boat!

Friday afternoon before we left, I went ahead and jacked up the trailer and loosened the nut on the spindle just a smidge. While I was there, I checked the grease in the bearings and the rear seal. All was good. I was also able to back down the brake adjuster screw maybe a 32nd of an inch. Not much but it's something. This gets the brakes just a little further from the drums.

Test drove it a few miles and all 4 wheels were still pretty hot, but they seemed to be not AS hot. I decided we were going ahead with our plans.

Packed tools and equipment to work on the wheels if necessary but we headed off. We had 170 miles to go. About 140 of this was Interstate. About 25 miles into it, I stopped and felt them. Sure enough they were quite hot, but so was air temperature. It was 96 degrees that afternoon and the concrete was sweltering.

About 70 miles in, I stopped again to check them. Still hot but not any hotter than the first time, so it wasn't getting worse. Tire sidewalls and tread was just warm from running on hot concrete. After sundown, we got to our destination without a problem and the wheels were very warm but I was able to touch them without being burned.

** On the way home today it was raining and the air temp was about 65-70 degrees. Ran 130 miles without checking them. When I finally stopped, they were barely warm. No concern at all.

Although the wheels were quite hot on the way down there, they didn't continue to get hot. It seemed that they hit a certain temperature and then stabilized. I wished they stayed cooler but at least they didn't continue to get hotter and hotter and hotter.

It was also interesting that in the rain and cooler weather those wheels were barely warm.

I appreciate your pre-trip advice and I'd love to hear what you guys think about the results.

Thanks!
HD

 

I am thinking leave well enough alone. Look for any leaks at the seals and if all checks out call it a day.

Unless you hear a grinding noise or squeal. Check them in a few K.

 

Maybe everything just needed to seat. You know, there is a lot of weight on a fairly small area. Until everything gets even lubrication, brakes stabilize and we quite worrying about it, it will all go ok. Hate it you were on a few pins and needles, but now you know how much heat it will take and pull fine. Keep an eye on it, but it looks to me that you are doing ok.

 

Thanks guys. I appreciate the suggestions and your time. It's a good thing we have a site like this to bounce ideas around.

Thanks again!
HD

 

Something to also consider. Air pressure. Inflate to tire manufacturer specs and when cold. Check often.

 

Like everyone says, tires and wheels have to get up to there normal traveling temp and then stay there, depends on surface temp of the road so just enjoy your travels.

 

I pull a fifth wheel trailer and boat when I go camping, and everytime I stop, which isn't often cause the power stroke isn't a gas guzzler, I check all the wheels for temps. This tells me,if needed, to check them out before something happens. Just my .02.