Rear wheels heating when towing?????
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,339
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From: Smithers, BC, Canada
I haven't seen much for 18" winter tires, but many AT tires are studdable. My General Grabber AT2 are pre drilled for studs, but I run them all year, so they are not studded.
Also, many AT tires are extreme winter certified, wich means that you do not need to pack chains on certian routes and can drive through chainup orders.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 2
If your wheels are hot that is coming from the brakes a hot tire will not really transfer heat to the wheel they usually just explode 
Next time stick your hand around the back and touch the brake rotor if its a little too hot to touch you know where the heat is coming from
If your wheels are getting at the point that they are too hot to touch that means your getting too much brake heat. You stand a good chance of blowing a rear wheel seal then you have gear oil to help start a fire.
Have a mechanic or yourself take the wheels off and do a brake inspection and check to see if the calipers are sliding and you have lots of meat on the brake pads.
Next time stick your hand around the back and touch the brake rotor if its a little too hot to touch you know where the heat is coming from
If your wheels are getting at the point that they are too hot to touch that means your getting too much brake heat. You stand a good chance of blowing a rear wheel seal then you have gear oil to help start a fire.
Have a mechanic or yourself take the wheels off and do a brake inspection and check to see if the calipers are sliding and you have lots of meat on the brake pads.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: CT
Tires that you can hardly keep your hands on are not that hot, problaby around 125-130. Your hot water in your house is more than likely in this range, or it should be if you have small children, try holding your hand under that water, problably cant for long.
Tires that are flexing generate heat, tires that slip generate heat, tires that are in contact with the hot pavement, constantly gain heat.
As long as the tire is the proper tire for the truck, size, load range etc and properly inflated for the load that you have you dont have to worry about them.
Tires that are flexing generate heat, tires that slip generate heat, tires that are in contact with the hot pavement, constantly gain heat.
As long as the tire is the proper tire for the truck, size, load range etc and properly inflated for the load that you have you dont have to worry about them.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Actually, I can bare around 160 degrees. 180-190 is "hot water" and that is basically "not able to keep your hand on". But that's very subjective.
125-130 is not a big deal.
125-130 is not a big deal.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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A one second exposure to 160 degree water will cause third degree burns. So, you might want to edit your post.
Here's some backup:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5098.html
http://www.tap-water-burn.com/
http://www.accuratebuilding.com/serv...ing_graph.html
Last edited by Spike Engineering; Jun 30, 2009 at 08:41 PM. Reason: added links
Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 3
Krewat u are one tough dude.
Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 3
After prolonged towing at high speeds in hot weather all pickups wheels will be to hot to hold your hand on for only seconds. Even running empty at high speeds the wheels and hubs will be to hot to touch. If they are the same on both sides it is probably nothing to worry about. Speed and high ambient temps equal hot wheels and hubs. It is perfectly normal. Even the front hub will get very hot to the touch.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
More like I have no feeling left in my hands 
I will say, after just testing it with a point-and-shoot thermometer, that 130 is bearable on my hands, but on my forearm, forget it
I will say, after just testing it with a point-and-shoot thermometer, that 130 is bearable on my hands, but on my forearm, forget it
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Yeah, well, the content police are stalking me, so I figured I'd actually measure it and report back facts
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
140 degree water will scald you.
A one second exposure to 160 degree water will cause third degree burns. So, you might want to edit your post.
Here's some backup:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5098.html
http://www.tap-water-burn.com/
http://www.accuratebuilding.com/serv...ing_graph.html
A one second exposure to 160 degree water will cause third degree burns. So, you might want to edit your post.
Here's some backup:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5098.html
http://www.tap-water-burn.com/
http://www.accuratebuilding.com/serv...ing_graph.html
I'll qualify my above statements.
WITH MY HANDS, I can basically stand 130 degrees, maybe 140.
If I were to pour 140 degree water on any other part of my body, I would be scalded, I'm sure.
Notice, I never EVER suggested anyone should jump into a bath filled with 160, 140, 130, or any degree water, nor did I ever say you should wash your kids in water that hot.
Please note that I was talking about using the PALM OF MY HAND to test a TIRE'S TEMPERATURE and not endorsing any other activity in my statement.
Last edited by IB Tim; Jul 2, 2009 at 08:12 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
I'm with you sort of, I set grille temps by hand. I want about 225-250 on the rack, and I hold my hand a couple inches above the rack to feel the temp. I can hold it there as long as I like, but it's very uncomfortable after 5 seconds. With wood and charcoal, I'm still working on getting a feeling for propane grilles. Tires get about half that hot. Bad hubs get pretty close to that hot, and a good break in of pads is right there to a little hotter.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 7
From: NH
Compare the heat difference between towing and unloaded. Obviously while towing your working the brakes considerably harder. Pull the wheels and inspect the brake system, check for blueing, glazing or hot spots on the rotors. The pads can look glazed as well.
