Gear: Wheel Sensei wheel bearing temperature sensors

However, a new Aussie innovation called Wheel Sensei is allowing drivers to remotely monitor a trailer’s wheel bearing temperatures while on the move, preventing a potential bearing meltdown before it happens.

Touted as a “world-first bearing monitoring solution” by new Queensland-based company Smarter Towing, the patented wireless system replaces a trailer wheel centre cap with a ‘smart’ Wheel Sensei version that looks about the same size as a wheel bearing protector cap. These smart caps monitor real-time temperature changes within the hub and relay them via Bluetooth to a smartphone app.

“A bearing can fail in a matter of minutes and while the temperature can be an indication of a failure, the ‘stop and touch’ test doesn’t tell you everything you need to know,” Queensland engineer and Wheel Sensei inventor Shane Hingst said.

“There are many conditions that can lead to a bad bearing: dirt, sand or water ingestion, poor installation and impact from uneven roads.

“A bad bearing will overheat before it fails (and) Wheel Sensei is the only solution that constantly monitors your bearings to protect you from bearing failure, no matter what the cause,” he said.

The hands-free system automatically starts up once the trailer wheels start moving, with the driver alerted of any significant temperature changes that could signify a problem with the wheel bearing and potential failure.

A range of Wheel Sensei cap sizes are available to fit two-, four- and six-wheel trailers, for various applications including caravans, boats, horse floats and work or utility trailers. Custom-made caps are also available in different sizes.

The Australian-designed and made units are built to last and are said to be completely water- and dust-proof. Installation doesn’t require any special skills or tools, and the app will work on both Apple and Android devices.

Each kit comes with the Wheel Sensei caps, a Vehicle Console hub, Activation Magnet and a USB-C to USB Cable. Online pricing starts from $650 for the two-wheel set, rising to $890 for the four-wheel kit and $2099 for the six-wheel set.

While admitting it’s not a total replacement for periodical servicing and routine replacement of trailer wheel bearings, Hingst said that the Wheel Sensei was the safest way to spot a bad bearing before it causes any real risk “as it alerts you to conditions before they lead to a problem”.

Smarter Towing is also planning to release an all-in-one Wheel Sensei tyre pressure and bearing temperature monitoring unit to the market in late 2023.