Rear wheels heating when towing?????
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Rear wheels heating when towing?????
I have a 2007 F350 4x4 which I use to tow a gooseneck horse trailer. After towing last weekend, for some reason I decided to touch my truck wheels and the rear feels were pretty hot. Is it normal for the rear wheels to heat up when towing/hauling loads? The loaded trailer weight is about 7000 or 8000 pounds, and I'm not sure what the tongue weight is, but probably 500-700 pounds.
I've never touched the wheels before after towing, so don't know if they've always done this or not. Thanks.
I've never touched the wheels before after towing, so don't know if they've always done this or not. Thanks.
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From: Frederick, MD
Just make sure you are using the correct kind of tires for the truck and alway do a walk around to check all the tires while towing and hauling heavy.
Tires should be a LT type with a load rating of E.
Mine will be warm to the touch too.
Tires should be a LT type with a load rating of E.
Mine will be warm to the touch too.
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Thanks. Yes, my tires are the right ones and I check all tire pressures (truck and trailer) before I haul. The wheels were more than warm, they were actually hot. I could hold my hand on them, but just barely. Does that sound like what you experience, and normal?
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From: Isanti, MN
It is normal for the tires to heat up a bit when you put a load on them...it is NOT normal to have your wheels that hot, though. Maybe your brakes are dragging? Also, check your rear axle oil level.
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From: Frederick, MD
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From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
Was it a pretty long tow?
After an hour or two, my differential oil gets up over 200 degrees - as high as 250 on long grades. This is with an oversize Mag-Hytec cover and synthetic oil, so that is a best case. If you have a stock cover and stock capacity, yours will be getting quite a bit warmer.
So the wheel is getting heated by the tire AND through the axles.
Personally, I don't think it is a problem.... I'll check my wheel temperature after my next long pull.
After an hour or two, my differential oil gets up over 200 degrees - as high as 250 on long grades. This is with an oversize Mag-Hytec cover and synthetic oil, so that is a best case. If you have a stock cover and stock capacity, yours will be getting quite a bit warmer.
So the wheel is getting heated by the tire AND through the axles.
Personally, I don't think it is a problem.... I'll check my wheel temperature after my next long pull.
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From: Frederick, MD
Well, I have had several cross country and never really noticed, I will have to pay attention to it the next time.
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Are they OEM size? I read a post on here about someone who upsized, resulting in the duals touching under load. Not good. Any possibility they are hitting?
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From: Solon, Iowa
I tow a 15,000 lb 4H Sundowner, and my tires definitely get warm, but I've never noticed my wheels getting hot. Then again...I'm not sure if I've ever actually touched the wheels. I'll try it next time I'm towing and see if they do.
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I wouldn't be surprised if 150 degrees is the normal surface temperature (plus or minus).
FWIW, the tires on my race car are generally 200+ degrees while driving. Other teams heat their tires up to 210 to 220 degrees prior to practice, qualifying or the race just so they don't have to waste two laps to get heat into them.
FWIW, the tires on my race car are generally 200+ degrees while driving. Other teams heat their tires up to 210 to 220 degrees prior to practice, qualifying or the race just so they don't have to waste two laps to get heat into them.
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When I felt that the wheels were hot was after towing about 40 miles, combination of secondary roads and 60+ mph towing. It was a sunny, humid hot-ish (85degree) day outside. That is the first time I ever happened to touch my wheels after a haul, so don't know if that always happens or not. I have since driven the truck 40+ miles, combination secondary roads and turnpike, and there is no heat in the wheels, but we have had only cool, wet weather since the day I noticed the heat in the wheels, so don't know if that is a factor or not.
My truck is not a dually, so tires touching would not be an issue.
If the oil level was low in the rear axle, wouldn't it heat up without a trailer in tow as well? Same question if brakes were binding?
Thanks for everyone's input! I'm just a normal horse person, not a mechanic, so need all the help I can get!
My truck is not a dually, so tires touching would not be an issue.
If the oil level was low in the rear axle, wouldn't it heat up without a trailer in tow as well? Same question if brakes were binding?
Thanks for everyone's input! I'm just a normal horse person, not a mechanic, so need all the help I can get!
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75 pounds in the rear tires.
These are the 18 inch tires.
Which makes me think of another question: Does anyone know if any of the tire companies has started making 18 inch STUDDABLE snow tires yet? Thanks.
These are the 18 inch tires.
Which makes me think of another question: Does anyone know if any of the tire companies has started making 18 inch STUDDABLE snow tires yet? Thanks.