How well would an infrared thermometer work for checking tires?

[Jstpssng]

I just replaced 2 tires on my company pickup which should have gone another 30K miles, except that I didn't notice they were cupping until it was too late.
I've been thinking about some kind of tire thermometer for years, I'm finally going to get something.

 

[Jstpssng]

I probably should have posted this in the "tires" forum.

 

[newbury]

I've used an HF IR handheld for years for my trailer tires, but more because it's handy than necessary. My hand does pretty good. I learned a long time ago if I think something may be HOT don't touch it, just get the hand near it.

How is cupping related to temperature?

 

[Einthewoods]

They work very well for that purpose.

Not sure it has anything to do with your tires, but I had heavy load rated Duratrac tires on my pickup and they cupped horribly. I had them rotated by the tire shop that put them on every 5000 miles. I was very frustrated as they were great (and expensive) tires otherwise.

I went in to have them rotated and was talking with the service manager about some replacements. The tech came in who was rotating them and asked what pressure I wanted them at. I told him whatever they recommended as they installed them. He said they had 35 pounds in them when they should have had around 60.

Put them all at 60 and the the cupping straightened out in no time. My next pair of them (which I got at a significant discount) had the correct pressure from day one and never a cupping issue.

 

[Jstpssng]

If one side of the tire is hotter than the other, the front end is probably out of alignment. The only time that I've actually seen an actual tire thermometer was with a former employer's landscaping trucks; he bought it for his stock car but it served double duty.

 

[kf4uda]

Don't know the mileage or condition of your truck but you could have worn out shocks causing the tires to cup. I too use an infrared thermometer to check my trailer tires.

 

[Jstpssng]

Don't know the mileage or condition of your truck but you could have worn out shocks causing the tires to cup. I too use an infrared thermometer to check my trailer tires.

It's 3 years old and turned 100K yesterday. I just had a ball joint replaced and alignment done. Front ends dont last long on the roads that I drive (and the speed that I travel at). By monitoring tire temps for hot spots you can detect problems before they start wearing.

 

[JJZ 109]

I've used an HF IR handheld for years for my trailer tires, but more because it's handy than necessary. My hand does pretty good. I learned a long time ago if I think something may be HOT don't touch it, just get the hand near it.

How is cupping related to temperature?

Sounds like my scenario. I carry a HF handheld in the door pocket of my truck. But when stopping for fuel on my annual Florida vacation hauling an enclosed with 4 motorcycles I generally forget that I have the thing and place a hand on the trailer tires.

 

[TractorGuy]

I use one for checking alignment on race tires. They say you should use a probe type for tires but I have got by just fine with the IR.

Also use it to keep tabs on hub temps on my trailer.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^^
If it works for a race car it's certainly good enough for my purposes. :thumbsup:
Thank you, that's just what I needed to know.