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techntrek 
Admin Group - pHp 
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
 Topic: New tech for this tripPosted: 03 Sep 2016 at 8:56pm |
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We have one to pack for regular trips, one to pack for bigger trips, one after getting to camp, one for leaving camp. Three emergency checklists for home - 5 minutes to evacuate, 30 minutes, and one for extended time. Oh, and a list for operating the various power backup systems.
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Duer
Newbie 
Joined: 02 Sep 2016 Location: ON - Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 11 |
Posted: 03 Sep 2016 at 7:03am |
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I'm new to travel trailers but old to utility trailers and old to flying airplanes.
When I worked for a living we always used check lists. Most of the time I flew it was boring....lol that's good. Terror...well you get it Use a check list if you're not sure. Make up a list before you leave... I.E. Use a neumonic list GUMPS for airplanes is a very simplistic one. Gas On / Off, Undercarriage- Down and Locked, Mags Both On, Pumps - All Fuel Boost Pumps On, switches -All heat as required, radios set etc. etc... i think you've got it by now So for a trailer make one up... Every time you roll, use the check list. Every time you stop check the variables and eliminate the uncertainty.. Makes it fun and more important ...Safe for everyone  Happy Trailering, Duer |
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Duer
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 02 Aug 2016 at 9:32pm |
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A little post-trip review. I liked having the temperature gun to check the tires and hubs. Gave me a scare once when one hub read 30 degrees higher than the rest, I was worried for a few hours that the bearings were going, until the next few checks read the same. I had just come down a big hill so that brake must be grabbing more.
The tuner worked well, I tested 2 of the tunes and ultimately stuck with the 87 octane tune for 2/3 of the trip since we spent so much time in/around the Rockies where 91+ octane isn't always available. Plus the difference in power (compared to the 91+ tune) just wasn't evident at the higher altitudes where it was needed the most since the limiting factor is the lack of air and not fuel. Lower octane gas vs. higher octane gas had a noticeable difference in power, as it was in the past when pulling the pod. Using the 87 tune I got about a 5% increase in mpg compared to the 91+ tune. Towing last year with 87 octane and the factory tune gave a 1% increase in mpg compared to this 91+ tune. I need to do a long tow with the factory tune and high octane gas to get a comparison. The new tires rode and wore well.
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 06 Jul 2016 at 12:19am |
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I agree, just testing with your hand is good enough and I did that for many years. If it is too hot to leave your hand on, then you may have a problem (checking your hubs right after coming down a long grade is another story). I only bought my temp gun to diagnose a problem with something else, and for use with my wood stove in the winter, but since I have it I figured I would bring it along. My gas-stop routine includes getting the pump going and then doing a walk-around making sure nothing is loose or unlocked or too hot.
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Tars Tarkas
Senior Member 
Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446 |
Posted: 05 Jul 2016 at 10:06pm |
A temp gun isn't necessary at all. I use it for hubs and tires because I have it. For the purpose, as others have stated, feel is accurate enough. Checking temperatures, however you do it, can help head off potentially catastrophic breakdowns in the middle of nowhere. If hubs get too hot they are at least dried out and in need of repacking or replacing as soon as possible. Bad hubs can lead to damaged axles or even a wheel falling off. As for the tires, a pressure gauge works about as well as a temp gun. Low tires get hotter so checking pressure or temperature is 6 of one.... It's probably a bit anal to check hubs and tires at every stop, but it can't hurt. Like I said, one of my big reasons for using the temp gun is because I have it and it's kind of fun. Prices have really come down lately and they come in handy for a lot of things, but I don't know that I'd buy one just to check hubs and tires. TT |
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 04 Jul 2016 at 11:32pm |
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By touch is accurate enough for everyday use. If one hub or tire is significantly hotter than the other, then further investigation is warranted. if not, then all is well. The infrared non-contact thermometer is for those who want more precision. If you are curious and want to get more specific readings, and have the spare cash, then it is a nice thing to have. You don't have to spend a fortune either. if you have a Harbor Freight near you or happen to see one on one of your trips, you can get a non-contact thermometer for a very low price. I have one that I use in our kitchen. It will also see use on future trips to check hub and tire temperatures.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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WillG
Newbie
Joined: 28 May 2016 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
Posted: 04 Jul 2016 at 6:51pm |
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So I take it we're supposed to check tire & hub temp or is it just tire? - after a long descent? Long drive? Is this to prevent brake burnout or blow outs and since every time I turn my head I'm dropping more money on this thing I've yet to use - what's the purpose, cost effective way to do this? By touch isn't very accurate..... All this is probably irrelevant at this time since we plan on taking a few pretty short trips first to work out the trailer travel bugs / routine. Thanks!
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R-Podder by process of elimination
2014 RP179 2011 GMC CrewCab Short Bed |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 03 Jul 2016 at 9:22pm |
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I didn't know so I just looked around the net, and there is a wide range depending on ambient temps, coming down a hill or flat land, sun side vs. shade side, etc. 90 to 135 being a decent range.
I've just been comparing my own 4 wheels and so far my tires are around 110 and hubs around 95 with ambient air temps in the low 80's. The exception was a stop in the rain where they were all close to ambient in the low 70's, which makes sense since water is a good heat sink.
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hogone
Senior Member
Joined: 09 Apr 2013 Location: St. Louis Online Status: Offline Posts: 1043 |
Posted: 02 Jul 2016 at 9:05pm |
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i know ive read it before but what is the range for hub temps? hogone
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 02 Jul 2016 at 6:56pm |
Hot box detector. Yes it uses infrared detector "eyes" like the guns. Arrrrr-arrrr-arrrr railroad stuff.
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New tech for this trip
