Hot, hot, HOT July 14, 2016, 08:22:24 am We're trippin' to the Colorado mountains next week and they are predicting the hottest weather on the plains in over three years for the travel days! With an older girl I want to baby Ruby as much as possible getting her out there. We won't be in any great hurry. There is a city park in Brush, CO that has the first night free camping with electric that is about 400 miles from here which is my normal destination. It's also around 4,200 feet above sea level versus around 1,000 here. An "acclimation to higher elevation" day has proved useful in the past as I've suffered from altitude issues when going from 1,000 to 8,000 straight away in the past.Anyone have any good practices for driving in 100 degree heat? Tire pressure recommendations? Periodic stops? More?Thanks, Dave
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #1 – July 14, 2016, 09:02:38 am Just drive it and keep an eye on the engine and trans temps, assuming the cooling system is good shape.We would have to stop traveling in the summer if 100 degree temps were too high.And try to get to the highest altitude possible for relief from the heat.Larry
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #2 – July 14, 2016, 10:44:07 am We don't like traveling (or camping) in the heat, that's why we live in Minnesota. 1 Likes
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #3 – July 14, 2016, 11:01:06 am I too don't camp and travel in heat but as a working stiff with limited time off and the need to get RMNP reservations six months in advance I have less opportunity to pick my travel times.This is the doozy of the decade for heat. I note that the forecast for Minneapolis is 93 on our travel date. Not too many places to hide next week.
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #4 – July 14, 2016, 11:53:11 am Quote from: Larry Wade - July 14, 2016, 09:02:38 amJust drive it and keep an eye on the engine and trans temps, assuming the cooling system is good shape.If the tranny temp readout is hard to find on the dash, a Scangauge or equivalent will read it, once programmed, and plugs right into the OBDII diagnostic port under the steering wheel.Steve
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #5 – July 14, 2016, 12:14:50 pm For personal comfort, the cloths that are moistened with water and then put around your neck work wonders, in my opinion. Having traveled in a really "older" rig (1985 TK) with no air conditioner (dash or coach), I can attest to the fact that it can get mighty hot. We had to run the heater to offload some of the heat while chugging from southern Arizona to northern Arizona. Jacob Lake was a sight for sore eyes!If you don't have any of the specific cloths, just use a moistened, small, light-weight white towel on your left arm (and leg, if you are wearing shorts). This will help to keep you cool, plus reflect some of the sunlight that falls on your extremities.We were told by our dermatologist that a lot of people have problems with their left arms/legs because of the proximity to sunlight whilst driving. At least wear a long-sleeved, white shirt when driving during daylight hours. A wide-brimmed hat will not go amiss, either.******************************** 1 Likes
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #6 – July 14, 2016, 02:17:47 pm In addition, we hang a heavy blanket from the cabover just like if it was cold. Keeps the cab heat out of the house and makes the cooling space smaller when we are camped. While driving, we have numerous sunscreens on the large windows except from the large rear window. Once we are parked, all the large windows have a sunscreen to include front and and rear. We use insulation in all the vents except of course for the 1-2 we might be using. We also insulate the BR skylight which can be a real source of heat in 100 degree + days. Hope this helps.
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #7 – July 14, 2016, 04:29:16 pm I think I'm most worried about the tires and other like items melting!!!
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #8 – July 14, 2016, 07:02:13 pm If you have extended valves on your tires, a TPMS would take care of those worries. Ours has informed us twice of issues that could have gotten nasty. 1 Likes
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #9 – July 14, 2016, 08:18:46 pm I do have extenders from The Tireman. Are you saying there is some TPMS that somehow works in conjunction with these? Thx
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #10 – July 14, 2016, 08:36:34 pm Hi Dave,We live in northern Nevada, the eastern Sierra, at about 5,000'. Plenty of grades and sometimes heat. Try to hit any grades as early in the day as possible when it's cool. Watch your engine temp. If it is climbing, turn off the A/C. If necessary, turn on the HEAT. Yeah, I know, but it works. While 4,200' isn't particularly high, it can surely effect some folks, so be sure to drink plenty of water. That helps. When you're plugged in for the night, keep an eye on the electricity. With such heat, everybody and his brother will be plugged in, too, and that can really drag down the quality of the electric power. That, in turn, can damage your a/c.You've gotten some really good suggestions in the other posts. Enjoy your trip!Happy trails,Juli
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #11 – July 14, 2016, 09:25:38 pm Quote from: huskerblue - July 14, 2016, 08:18:46 pmI do have extenders from The Tireman. Are you saying there is some TPMS that somehow works in conjunction with these? ThxA lot of us here have TPMS systems on our rigs.I have the "Tire Minder" system on all 6 tires. It monitors the tire pressure and the tire temperature of each tire. It warns the driver of potential hazards...slow leaks, blow outs, hot tires. Each tire gets a screw on monitor on the tire extender. The monitor sends data to the receiver that you place on your dash or windshield. Don't neglect to set up the signal booster if the TPMS you purchase comes equipped with one.Plenty to read on this subject in the archives. One thing I am curious about is what temperature of the tires is considered too high. At any rate a good TPMS is great tool and while it doesn't preclude checking and filling your rigs tires, it does serve a vital role in travel safety.Kent
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #12 – July 15, 2016, 10:03:47 am Thanks. I have ordered the system. I like peace of mind more than I like a few extra dollars in my bank account.
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #13 – July 15, 2016, 11:12:22 am From another BlogFunny you should ask - - we checked temps coming back from the beach recently to get a handle on how well our TST tire monitors reported tire temperature. Outside temp was pushing 90, tire temps ran 120-125. Tire monitor reported temps around 100-105. There's a reason for the discrepancy:Most after market tire monitors are installed on the valve stem outside the tire. The temperature they report is affected by air passing over the monitor sensor, so is really not related to the tire's tread temperature.The front tires are almost always cooler than the rear. Generally, the fronts are cooler because they are in an unheated air stream and are loaded less than the rears. The rear tires (especially on front engine rigs) get hotter as they pick up engine and exhaust heat from under the rig.Our driver side rear inside dual always runs hotter and develops higher pressure than the others, most likely because it gets the most of the heat off the exhaust pipe. In fact, to compensate, I run this tire 3 psi lower than the others at ambient temp so that, under driving conditions, it balances with the other rears.I forwarded this thread to my contact at Michelin. Here is the response:A tire in operation will heat up until it reaches its equilibrium temperature where the heat being generated equals the heat being dissipated.The temperature of the tire will increase with an increase in ambient temperature. There is nothing to worry about in the ranges stated, if the temperature gets above 250 degrees F then I would be concerned !
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #14 – July 15, 2016, 11:14:09 am Quote from: huskerblue - July 14, 2016, 04:29:16 pmI think I'm most worried about the tires and other like items melting!!!I think you are overly thinking this.Unless spending August in Death Valley is in you plans, your LD, and it's tire's , can handle more heat than you can.This assumes the tire's and cooling system are good. As suggested , use a ScanGauge ( keep the coolant and trans at 230 and lower) and a TPMS, to cover the important things.Can't speak for others but our LD has pulled a 4000-lbs Jeep up miles of steep grades, in 110 degree weather, without ever overheating or having the tire's melt. And has done so for almost 100,000 miles. Most of our big trips are during the heat of the summer.The E350/450 was designed as a commercial vehicle, made to be beat by uncaring drivers.Most of us care.Larry
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #15 – July 15, 2016, 12:38:41 pm Quote from: Larry Wade - July 15, 2016, 11:14:09 amI think you are overly thinking this.Agreed; chill! Are your tires in good condition? Have you checked the sidewalls, including the inside duals, for any blistering, checking, cracking, scuffs, nicks, and/or bulges? Does the tread show signs of damage or unusual tire wear, ie.g., cupping, edge wear, or a "balding middle"? If so, you're right to be concerned, but those issues have little or nothing to do with heat (except for possible UV damage done to the tires from leaving them unprotected and exposed to "rays".)Check the tires' pressures in the early morning before driving and before the sun gets to them; tires have to be "cold" to get an accurate pressure reading. Never bleed air from a hot tire; tire pressures can increase up to about 10 pounds under certain conditions, which include driving at "highway speeds" on hot pavement in hot ambient temperatures. When you're camped, use tire covers to keep the sun off the tires, and put any "melt worries" to rest.
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #16 – July 15, 2016, 12:59:21 pm My assistant got me this little guy called a Worry Wartz for my desk and it fits the owner! Thanks to all for the help. 1 Likes
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #17 – July 16, 2016, 01:07:45 pm If you have a generator and coach A/C it can help to run them both when driving should you have animals or passengers that don't get cab air. There might be different points of view on this and I suppose the gas mileage will decrease somewhat but in our experience it didn't really affect much. Something to discuss ymmv
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #18 – July 16, 2016, 03:51:45 pm Quote from: Lydia Drake - July 16, 2016, 01:07:45 pmIf you have a generator and coach A/C it can help to run them both when driving should you have animals or passengers that don't get cab air. There might be different points of view on this and I suppose the gas mileage will decrease somewhat but in our experience it didn't really affect much. Something to discuss ymmvLydia is spot on. If temps are really hot in the LD while on the road, don't hesitate to turn on the genset and fire up the coach a/c. I recall many yrs back, traveling across Nebraska, Dave, with 6 of us and a dog in the LD, and finally realizing that the outside temp was 110*. On came the coach a/c. We overnighted at the KOA near Grand Island where the evening temp was 108*. That was one of the handful of nights in the last 14 yrs when we ran the a/c all night. Dog, that thing is noisy!Chris 2 Likes
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #19 – July 16, 2016, 11:53:42 pm I'm touring the SE currently. A few days ago I was in SC heading to GA. Outside temps were in the upper 90s with humor in the upper 80%s ( yes there was a magnificent thunder storm). I found that if I opened the rearmost vent a little the dash AC would cool all the mid bath. I do have a vent cover over top to keep the rain out. I got the idea from a post in this forum a while (2-3 years?) ago. The barely open vent allows the hot air to be drawn out, the cooler air from the cab will replace it. John07 mid bathNow on the Space Coast of FL. 1 Likes
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #20 – July 17, 2016, 01:17:04 am Ouch! High temps & high humidity...truly a wicked mix. After a week in Zion, with daily temps in the 100's at zero humidity life couldn't get any better. Right? Nice to have endless campground power to keep the AC running till later in the evening. Keeping my foam & foil vent inserts in place made the rig a true sanctuary after our daily outings. Morning coffee outside with a breezy 60 degree temp made a very fresh start to the day...taking the last sip just as the sun peaked over the canyon wall to start the cycle all over again.Next year...Yellowstone in July with some very pleasant weather in the forecast.Kent
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #21 – July 21, 2016, 08:27:42 pm Quote from: Traxless - July 14, 2016, 02:17:47 pmIn addition, we hang a heavy blanket from the cabover just like if it was cold. Keeps the cab heat out of the house and makes the cooling space smaller when we are camped. While driving, we have numerous sunscreens on the large windows except from the large rear window. Once we are parked, all the large windows have a sunscreen to include front and and rear. We use insulation in all the vents except of course for the 1-2 we might be using. We also insulate the BR skylight which can be a real source of heat in 100 degree + days. Hope this helps.Coming in a bit late for this, but we found a perfect 50 x 60 comforter-style throw at Goodwill that is a great fit to seal off the cab in our TK. I added some grommets to each corner and deployed bungees to secure it to either end of the bed. The added floof provided by the batting makes a noticeable difference between cab temp and living space temp. It also makes a very enticing blanket fort for the cats. fu 1 Likes
Re: Hot, hot, HOT Reply #22 – July 21, 2016, 09:02:25 pm It also makes a very enticing blanket fort for the cats. Got to LOVE them cats!! 2 Likes
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