I HATE my DRW truck...
05-09-2014 | 07:27 AM
#12
Registered
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 826
Likes: 56
From: Fredericksburg, VA
...2 times a year:
When I go to check tire pressures.
Getting to those inside rear tires is a BIOTCH. Last night was one of those 2X/year.
I do check my tires nearly every time I drive the truck though. I use the laser pyrometer (laser temp gun) to make sure tire temperatures are uniform at every stop; especially when towing. It works fantastic for such.
High temp = something is wrong. It's probably one of the best tools that I own. EVERY ONE of us should have one.
When I go to check tire pressures.
Getting to those inside rear tires is a BIOTCH. Last night was one of those 2X/year.I do check my tires nearly every time I drive the truck though. I use the laser pyrometer (laser temp gun) to make sure tire temperatures are uniform at every stop; especially when towing. It works fantastic for such.
High temp = something is wrong. It's probably one of the best tools that I own. EVERY ONE of us should have one.
j/k -- checking temperature of bearings is a great practice. While I don't do it with a temp gun every time we stop I always feel hubs with the back of my hand. It's definitely the difference between repacking a bearing vs. having a tire and wheel pass you or a hub welded to a bearing.... ask me how I know lol.
05-09-2014 | 08:05 AM
#13
Registered
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 0
From: SE FL
I'm too old to use rubbers anymore.
Tires:
Completely varies based on temperature, sun/cloudy/night, and precipitation.
I look for uniformity.
The side with sun on it will be 10-15 degrees warmer.
Compare sun side with shade side on trailer and truck to make sure temp differential is similar. (both sides ought to be the same at night)
I usually hit with the laser:
Truck:
All the tires on the sidewall (sometimes check the tread too, which will be warmer by about 5 degrees
Brake rotors and calipers (shoot through open spots on wheel)
Rear axle housing. (I have a transmission temperature gauge in the truck.)
Trailer:
All the tires on the sidewall (sometimes check the tread too, which will be warmer by about 5 degrees or so)
Brake rotors and calipers (shoot through open spots on wheel)
Hubs
Wheels (at the base of the center cap) (heat radiates; a hot tire will make the wheel warmer than the others and a hot hub will do the same)
This takes all of 2-3 minutes to do; nice way to pass the time when pumping fuel and you get to do a full visual walkaround the rig as well as check all the straps.
Tires:
Completely varies based on temperature, sun/cloudy/night, and precipitation.
I look for uniformity.
The side with sun on it will be 10-15 degrees warmer.
Compare sun side with shade side on trailer and truck to make sure temp differential is similar. (both sides ought to be the same at night)
I usually hit with the laser:
Truck:
All the tires on the sidewall (sometimes check the tread too, which will be warmer by about 5 degrees
Brake rotors and calipers (shoot through open spots on wheel)
Rear axle housing. (I have a transmission temperature gauge in the truck.)
Trailer:
All the tires on the sidewall (sometimes check the tread too, which will be warmer by about 5 degrees or so)
Brake rotors and calipers (shoot through open spots on wheel)
Hubs
Wheels (at the base of the center cap) (heat radiates; a hot tire will make the wheel warmer than the others and a hot hub will do the same)
This takes all of 2-3 minutes to do; nice way to pass the time when pumping fuel and you get to do a full visual walkaround the rig as well as check all the straps.
05-09-2014 | 12:46 PM
#14
Registered
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 82
From: Henderson, KY
I check my DRW tire pressures with one of these...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]523180[/ATTACH]
My inner stems are pointing inward, and the back side of the inflater nozzle fits it perfectly - I just pull against the valve instead of pushing. ...not sure that makes sense, but its actually easier on my hands than the out tire.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]523180[/ATTACH]
My inner stems are pointing inward, and the back side of the inflater nozzle fits it perfectly - I just pull against the valve instead of pushing. ...not sure that makes sense, but its actually easier on my hands than the out tire.
05-09-2014 | 01:31 PM
#15
Thread Starter
Forum Regulator
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 24,215
Likes: 1,613
From: Worldwide
I check my DRW tire pressures with one of these...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]523180[/ATTACH]
My inner stems are pointing inward, and the back side of the inflater nozzle fits it perfectly - I just pull against the valve instead of pushing. ...not sure that makes sense, but its actually easier on my hands than the out tire.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]523180[/ATTACH]
My inner stems are pointing inward, and the back side of the inflater nozzle fits it perfectly - I just pull against the valve instead of pushing. ...not sure that makes sense, but its actually easier on my hands than the out tire.
However, its still a PITA to get the valve stem caps off.
My inner stems point outward.
My outer stems point inward.
I like the concept of the longer valve stems, but too much liability for something to go wrong in my eyes.
I'd rather just complain about it.
05-09-2014 | 08:37 PM
#16
Banned
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,259
Likes: 1
From: Bell Canyon, CA
Single rear wheel......the way I see it, it doesn't seem stable during turns and I've never seen that configuration. My truck has dual wheels in the back. I've seen those other trucks with dual-dual wheels though.......pretty sweet, but I heard they aren't as good because they have less pounds per square inch touching the road.
05-09-2014 | 09:28 PM
#17
Registered
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 8
From: Troy, Mich
I was thinking the same thing........
Fuel Truck/boat- 15 minutes (verify proper octane)
Truck/trailer check- 2-3 minutes
Tire Pressure- 14 tires (6 truck/6 trailer/2 spares)- 10 minutes
Re-torque all lug nuts truck/trailer
Check lights on truck/trailer- 10 minutes
Fluids Check Truck/Boat- 15 minutes
Back in the house to shower/get ready to leave- 20 minutes
Repack cooler- ice has started to melt-
Recheck Coupler on trailer, verify straps/chains
Put Wide Load Flag on trailer, set launch cones around perimeter of truck to let everyone know you are getting ready to leave
Start Truck and let it idle/warm up
Recheck oil/tranny fluid after warm up
Triple tap horn- first to test it and double tap follow up to alert others that you are leaving
Tide has since gone out, can't launch anyway.
Now 6 hour wait until tide returns
Recheck the above and read "Safe Towing for Dummies" guide book
Whew, getting dark now, skip getting the boat wet and put it back in the toy barn!
Fuel Truck/boat- 15 minutes (verify proper octane)
Truck/trailer check- 2-3 minutes
Tire Pressure- 14 tires (6 truck/6 trailer/2 spares)- 10 minutes
Re-torque all lug nuts truck/trailer
Check lights on truck/trailer- 10 minutes
Fluids Check Truck/Boat- 15 minutes
Back in the house to shower/get ready to leave- 20 minutes
Repack cooler- ice has started to melt-
Recheck Coupler on trailer, verify straps/chains
Put Wide Load Flag on trailer, set launch cones around perimeter of truck to let everyone know you are getting ready to leave
Start Truck and let it idle/warm up
Recheck oil/tranny fluid after warm up
Triple tap horn- first to test it and double tap follow up to alert others that you are leaving
Tide has since gone out, can't launch anyway.
Now 6 hour wait until tide returns
Recheck the above and read "Safe Towing for Dummies" guide book
Whew, getting dark now, skip getting the boat wet and put it back in the toy barn!
By the time I got to the ramp it was Like- sheeeit I only got 2 hours before dark...
05-09-2014 | 09:50 PM
#18
Registered
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, MI / Miami, FL
I have virtually the same tool, and that's what I used.
However, its still a PITA to get the valve stem caps off.
My inner stems point outward.
My outer stems point inward.
I like the concept of the longer valve stems, but too much liability for something to go wrong in my eyes.
Lb
I'd rather just complain about it.
However, its still a PITA to get the valve stem caps off.
My inner stems point outward.
My outer stems point inward.
I like the concept of the longer valve stems, but too much liability for something to go wrong in my eyes.
Lb
I'd rather just complain about it.
Hey there Sydwaz...I use "Slime" chrome metal valve extenders on all my DRW trucks...they screw right on and makes life a little easier...get them from AutoZone or any place that carries Slime tire products..hope this .helps???....
05-11-2014 | 05:17 PM
#19
VIP Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 98
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta, GA
When I go to check tire pressures. Getting to those inside rear tires is a BIOTCH. Last night was one of those 2X/year.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...5-wheels/18472
Agreed. Have a Ford, took the mounting brackets and cut them, modified, cut 2 slots, one on each side of the rear caps and epoxied them to the inside of the cap with just the mounting for the stainless steel mounting sticking through. Clean, no more problem, check your air easily.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...5-wheels/18472
Agreed. Have a Ford, took the mounting brackets and cut them, modified, cut 2 slots, one on each side of the rear caps and epoxied them to the inside of the cap with just the mounting for the stainless steel mounting sticking through. Clean, no more problem, check your air easily.
06-22-2014 | 09:03 PM
#20
Platinum Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 171
From: St. Clair Shores, MI
Sydwayz, thanks for the tip about the laser gun. I towed the 242 from Detroit up to Chrlevoix this wekend and check the trailer tires and bearings t every stop with it. Using it is a lot safer that touching the tire or hub. I also looked for consistent temps between the front and back wheels and hubs on each side. It seemed like the sunny side was 10-15 degrees hotter than the shady side.
