Infrared Thermometer

TresK3
TresK3 Member Posts: 85
in Products and Accessories
I would like to buy an infrared thermometer to check temperature of the brake drums when on the road. Prices range from $5.99 (Menard’s Black Friday sale) to >$155 (some Milwaukee industrial version). 

What should I look for in a thermometer? I see a “distance to spot” ratio; what does this mean? Is it important?

Any recommendations or suggestions?
2019 Tab 400 Boondock Lite
2017 Dodge Durango AWD with Tow Package IV
A can of Skyline Chili in the pantry

Comments

  • Yoshi_TAB
    Yoshi_TAB Member Posts: 582
    edited November 2025
    Hi,  I bought this a few years ago to check for wires and connections  heating up after some work.  It seems to work fine.  It's on the cheaper side, but seems to match up with other independant readings.    Amazon.com: Etekcity Infrared Thermometer Laser Temperature Gun 774, Meat Food Candy Oven Thermometer for Griddle Accessories, Heat Gun for Cooking Refrigerator Tools, Yellow : Industrial & Scientific
    2025 360 CS 
    2021 TAB 320 BD (w/new owner having fun)
    2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Southern Maryland
  • rcarlson1957
    rcarlson1957 Member Posts: 265
    edited November 2025
    I like Ryobi tools and have a bunch of them. I use this one from them. https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-Infrared-Thermometer-IR003/326199707?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US

    2018 TAB 320S
    2020 Honda Ridgeline RTL
    North Texas
    Trips - 50 Mileage - @67k
    "Our favorite trip will always be our next one"

  • Horigan
    Horigan Member Posts: 880
    I wouldn't spend more than $25 on one.
    Rich
    2019 T@b 400
    2025 Toyota Highlander 2.4L Turbo
    Bellingham WA
  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,593
    I have the same one that Yoshi linked to.  I carry it while towing for the same reason you mentioned, and it works fine.  For the simple uses like measuring those brake/hub temps from fairly close range, the area of the "spot" isn't too important, it seems to me.  But, trying to measure the brake hubs from across the street may give you a false reading!  This is an explanation I found just the other day.

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  • RCB
    RCB Member Posts: 249
    When it’s hot, you hot !
    so what temperature is too hot for brakes or bearings ? How do you distinguish between brake temp or bearings with this gizmo ?
    When stopped I put my hand on the hub cover. If I’ve braked hard there is some warmth. If one side is warmer than the other, then the warmer side is braking with more pressure than the other. To check bearings - the same way; I stop using the brakes minimally then do the same. If the bearings are hot or even warm then trouble is on the horizon.
    You really don’t need one of these gizmos - it will just keep you awake at night.
    400 - 2019
    St Catharines, ON
  • TresK3
    TresK3 Member Posts: 85
    @RCB I’ve been having problems getting the brakes adjusted; one side will be very hot and the other just warm. My current trailer place can’t seem to get them adjusted. If I have an infrared thermometer then I can somewhat quantify the difference between the two. If I can get them more in sync, I’ll actually probably sleep better.

    2019 Tab 400 Boondock Lite
    2017 Dodge Durango AWD with Tow Package IV
    A can of Skyline Chili in the pantry
  • qhumberd
    qhumberd Administrator, Moderator Posts: 845
    If it is indeed your brake shoes engaging unevenly, It seems a reasonable test might be to just back off the star wheel adjuster on the “hot” side a click or two, and drive a bit to see if that lowers the temperature.

    I knew nothing about the T@B brakes on my 400 and just got a brake adjuster tool and followed the instructions. They are not very complicated so if a simple adjustment doesn’t help, you need a better trailer shop to tear down the hub/ brake assembly 

    https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/170594#Comment_170594
    2019  T@B400 Boondock Lite "Todd"
    2016 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Crew Cab

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